206 Fifth Avenue was originally built as dwellings in 1856-57 by S. Perry, but it was converted to commercial use in the late-nineteenth century, at a time when the residential blocks surrounding Madison Square Park were gradually being redeveloped as first-class hotels, clubs, theaters and restaurants. The building has frontages on both Fifth Avenue and Broadway. The building's Broadway façade was replaced in 1892 to the designs of architect J. William Cromwell for the Estate of A. Perry. In 1911, the ground floor was occupied by silversmith Theo. B. Starr. The current Fifth Avenue façade, designed by architects Townsend, Steinle & Haskell, Inc., was installed in 1919 for the Emigrant Savings Bank, a bank established to protect immigrants' savings from exploitation. This loft style building, whose exterior remains largely intact after 1892 and 1919 alterations, is now home to the private French school Ecole Internationale de New York . Across from Madison Square Park, 206 Fifth Avenue benefits from extensive dining and retail throughout Nomad and the Flatiron District. The building is served by nearby R and W trains at 23rd Street, and F and M trains and PATH service at 6th Avenue.