Located on the West side of Park Avenue between East 68th and East 69th Streets, 684 Park Avenue is a neo-Federal townhouse designed by McKim, Mead & White in a row of Georgian inspired landmarked buildings. Forming one of the last intact architectural ensembles on Park Avenue, this series of stylistically related landmark buildings creates a unique block front. Encompassing over 15,000 square feet, this 26-foot wide mansion retains much of its original grandeur and magnificent architectural details. With elegant tall archways, the impressive marble foyer is anchored by an elegant curved marble staircase with a wrought iron railing that leads to the upper levels. The entertaining spaces include a grand parlor with a dramatic expanse of 3 floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Park Avenue, original hardwood flooring, a fireplace with a carved mantelpiece and a soaring ceiling accentuated by beautiful plaster molding. The library features hand-crafted wood paneling and has a large 26 x 29 garden terrace, ideal for entertaining. This special home was originally built in 1926 as a residence for Oliver D. Filley and his wife Mary Pyne Filley, who was the daughter of Percy R. Pyne, a distinguished Manhattan financier and philanthropist. In 1965, the building was donated to the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute by Margaret Rockefeller Strong, Marquesa de Cuevas. The Queen Sofa Spanish Institute was founded in 1954 to promote greater awareness and understanding of the culture of the Spanish-speaking world in the United States. The building was designated a Landmark in 1970. About McKim, Mead & White: A prominent 20th century architectural firm, McKim, Mead & White built Manhattan's former Pennsylvania Station, the Brooklyn Museum, and the main campus of Columbia University. Elsewhere in New York State and New England, the firm designed college, library, school and other buildings such as the Boston Public Library and Rhode Island State House. In Washington, D.C., the firm renovated the West and East Wings of the White House, and built the National Museum of American History. Across the United States, the firm was responsible for buildings in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Other examples are in Canada, Cuba and Italy.