Rental and Event Services
Scandinavia House is one of New York City’s most exciting event venues, offering spaces for banquets, receptions, conferences, business meetings, performances, and film screenings. Designed by the celebrated American architect James Stewart Polshek, Scandinavia House is a stunning modern building that puts Scandinavian culture on display with design materials and furnishings representing the five Nordic countries. Detailed with exquisite care, the cultural center reflects Scandinavia’s well-deserved reputation for excellent craftsmanship and sophisticated design.
The building is located in Midtown Manhattan on Park Avenue between 37th and 38th Streets. It is close to major New York landmarks such as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the New York Public Library, and the United Nations headquarters. It is also conveniently close to both Grand Central Station and Pennsylvania Station. If your guests are visiting from outside the New York area, we have close working relationships with several nearby hotels.
The preferred caterer at Scandinavia House is Björk Café and Bistro which manages a full-service restaurant on our main floor. For information on other caterers please contact the Scandinavia House Manager by calling 212-847-9719.
In accordance with New York State and City guidelines, we have developed polices and best practices to provide a safe experience for you and your guests, during your time at Scandinavia House.
We have instituted the following measures for the venue:
- Upgraded HVAC filtration (MERV13)
- Hand sanitizer stations throughout the building
- Doors and windows can be opened to outside air, weather permitting.
- Access to staircases is available.
In addition, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines
- Do not visit if unwell.
- Follow the protocols in all signage on premises.
- Please take advantage of hand sanitizer stations throughout the building
- Wash hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
Rooms and Facilities
Lower Level
Victor Borge Hall, a 168-seat auditorium, is perfect for business, press, and scholarly meetings as well as symposia, lectures, films, and concerts. The hall is equipped with digital projection capability, live streaming and recording facilities and both wireless internet access and hardwired internet access.
A small gallery adjacent to the room is ideal for displays and check-in. A green room is accessible from the stage for entrance and exit for performers and presenters.
2nd Floor
Volvo Hall is a bright, dramatic space with glass walls to its east and west overlooking Park Avenue. Most conveniently, it has an adjoining open-air garden terrace, an ideal setting for outdoor receptions and meeting breaks. Access to the hall with both doors open offers plenty of fresh air circulation. This space is ideal for meetings, lectures and presentations, weddings, fashion shows and show rooms. At round tables or with a seated classroom setup, the room can hold 80 attendees; with a theater-style setup, it can hold up to 100 to 120 attendees; and for a standing function, it can hold up to 150. The terrace can hold 40 people standing.
Scandinavia House can provide up to 14 rectangular tables at no price. The staff is happy to facilitate the rental of table linens; for the purposes of our frequent disinfecting processes at this time, however, we suggest using bare tabletops.
Scandinavia House can provide up to 18 rectangular tables at no price. The staff is happy to facilitate the rental of table linens; for the purposes of our frequent disinfecting processes at this time, however, we suggest using bare tabletops.
Main Floor
The F. Donald Kenney Reception Area and Taplin Café, a 2,200-square-foot space located on the main level of Scandinavia House overlooking Park Avenue, houses Björk Cafe & Bistro. It accommodates up to 70. The cafe is open to the public; however, for a private function, arrangements for a buyout can be made.
3rd Floor
Our gallery, an expansive 1,800 square-foot space with high ceilings and a polished spruce floor, is comprised of three distinct spaces and a fourth smaller room that can be used for one-on-one breakout discussions. The floor is available for outside use when our exhibition schedule permits.
ADDITIONAL CONFERENCE & MEETING ROOMS
Use of the conference facilities on our upper floor is restricted based on other activities and guests on each floor. Please contact the building manager for more information.
4th Floor
The Halldór Laxness Library, a handsome space for meetings of up to 10 people, is furnished in classic Scandinavian design. Huge windows overlook Park Avenue, offering an excellent vista of New York landmarks.
5th Floor
The Equinor/Teekay Conference Room on our fifth floor can hold up to 25 people depending on the tables set up. The use of the room includes access to a smartboard with microphone, speaker and camera, Wi-Fi and hardwired internet access.
6th Floor
The Barbro Osher Pro Sucio Foundation Seminar room and the Sixth Floor East Conference Room both seat 8 people and are ideal for breakout rooms.
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS
Scandinavia House can provide the following equipment without additional charges. However, some equipment requires the service of a technical person which is a chargeable item.
The use of Volvo Hall and Victor Hall includes access to hardwired microphones and sound systems as well as up to 2 wireless handheld microphones. The building also has a 86 inch Smartboard with internal speaker and USB camera, multiple short-throw projectors, flip charts, and three types of podiums.
Furnishings throughout the building are of iconic Scandinavian design. These include up to 14 wooden folding tables, 50 classic Alvar Aalto chairs, 50 Danish wooden chairs and 30 black folding chairs.
Scandinavia House is ready to host your next private, business, or non-profit event. Contact Victoria McGann, Scandinavia House Manager, at 212-847-9719 or vmcgann@amscan.org for details, including a list of technical equipment available.
—Download Floor Plans