The Straus Institute of Law & Justice Housed in Greek Revival Historic Mansion

With the help of a generous donation from Daniel Straus NYU was able to create the Straus Institute for the Advanced Study of Law & Justice. This institute plays an important and unique role in the betterment of society in New York through its determination to merge academic research into relevant issues with society’s need for innovative and creative solutions to the critical problems of the day.

The Straus Institute is located in a townhouse at 22 Washington Square, and shares its space with the Tikvah Center for Law and Jewish Civilization, and the Jean Monnet Center for International & Regional Economic Law & Justice. The building is part of a row of 13 Greek Revival high-end residences that were built between 1829 and 1833, considered among the finest examples of this architectural style in the city.

After passing through the hands of several owners, including the grandson of the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Jay, also named John Jay, New York University bought the property in 1939 to be a faculty club. On April 29, 1969 the building became an officially recognized historic landmark by the Greenwich Village Historic District. After housing the University’s Admissions department for a time the building became the home of the Straus Institute, with renovations beginning in 2008. In August of 2009 the renovations were completed and the first Fellows of the Institute took up residence there.