The leader of the nonprofit organization managing the Park Avenue Armory on the Upper East Side seems to have turned it into something akin to “his country club.”
This 145-year-old structure, run by the 7th Regiment Armory Reserve, frequently hosts high-profile events, such as exclusive fashion show afterparties that draw in celebrities like Giorgio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de La Renta, Beyoncé, Victoria Beckham, and Orlando Bloom.
While the nonprofit’s executives mingle with notable figures, they seem to overlook their primary mission of preserving this historic site. Critics argue they are manipulating figures to attract public funding while facing financial difficulties.
Back in 2006, the Conservancy secured a 99-year lease for the property, which occupies an entire city block bordered by East 66th and 67th Streets and Park and Lexington Avenues.
Initially, there were big claims about focusing on restoration, similar to the care taken for Central Park, especially when news surfaced about excessive executive salaries there.
Almost two decades later, though, they’ve managed to restore only four historic rooms, while many other areas remain in disrepair, according to sources.
Instead, the Armory hosts extravagant social events complete with cocktails and performances, often costing around $10,000 per person, featuring prominent attendees like Julianne Moore, Anna Wintour, and Ghislaine Maxwell.
For instance, in September 2022, it hosted a wedding for event planner Liz Bickley, which raised some eyebrows.
CEO Rebecca Robertson described the nonprofit’s staff as “very close” and even “family,” which she defended by stating they sometimes use the space for private events for free.
This practice has led to questions around the use of taxpayer funds since 2020.
Critics point out that, while professing a mission, the organization seems to operate more like a private club rather than serving cultural or historical purposes. Jay Stallard, a resident, expressed frustration at this seeming disregard for their lease with the state.
Some community members, like Arida Camp, feel the organization displays a level of arrogance, failing to acknowledge their responsibilities as tenants of state-owned land.
The nonprofit received $1.4 million from the federal Payroll Protection Program in both 2020 and 2021, claiming it supported 189 jobs during the pandemic. However, nearly half of those funds have gone to CEO Robertson, who earned over $600,000 in each of those years.
This raises concerns about the actual number of jobs preserved, especially since it was revealed they only retained a modest number of employees pre-pandemic.
Furthermore, despite receiving significant public funding, the organization has experienced annual deficits since 2016, reporting $12 million in losses in 2023.
Adding to this narrative is the ongoing conflict between the Conservancy and the Knickerbocker Grays, a group of cadets who have occupied a small room in the Armory basement since 1902. Their fight against legislation aiming to displace them has been long-standing.
Recent court rulings indicated that their eviction seems unjust, particularly given the vast size of the building in question.
Nonetheless, the nonprofit promptly filed an appeal against the ruling, maintaining that they need to remove the cadets to pursue public objectives.
As tensions rise, Stallard criticized the treatment of the children, saying that they ought to be treated with respect rather than as second-class citizens.
In response to inquiries about the situation, nonprofit officials labeled the legislation “illegal,” asserting that it sets a dangerous precedent for state authorities to reclaim leased properties.
Finally, the Conservancy claimed to have raised over $174 million for renovations, yet they haven’t clearly detailed how many rooms have been restored or how funds have been spent.
