Barbizon 63

The twenty-three-story building before you, now known as Barbizon 63, was originally commissioned in 1927 as a safe haven for ambitious young women migrating to New York City. At a time when single women were entering the workforce in record numbers, this residence provided more than just a room; it functioned as a curated sanctuary where residents needed three letters of recommendation just to secure a stay. The building was designed to offer women the same professional and social amenities previously reserved for men, including a gymnasium, a swimming pool, soundproofed music practice rooms, and art studios. Its name was a strategic choice, intended to evoke the artistic freedom of the village of Barbizon in France, which had served as an inspiration for generations of painters.