International House at 500 Riverside Drive is a student residence built in 1924 on the designs of the architects Lindsay & Warren. This was part of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s program which included the building of student residences in Chicago and in Berkeley. His purpose was to provide a place to stay in the city for foreign students as well as for natives. The student has to be enrolled in, or be conducting research at, an institution of higher learning, or be on the staff of a university or a nonprofit international organization. He or she can also be a trainee or intern with approved institutions. Among those who have resided here have been Federico Garcia Lorca, the Spanish poet; Admiral Rickover, of nuclear submarine fame; Mitch Miller; and Burl Ives.

Directly south of International House is Sakura Park, 2.06 acres, city property since 1896. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. had Olmsted Brothers give it its present plan in the early 1930s. The philanthropist opened it in 1934. Largely paved in slate slabs, it has hedges and trees, small-leaf European linden, set out formally. Its Japanese name means "cherry" or "cherry tree."

The park was restored, with some changes, with Quennell-Rothschild Associates in charge. The firm added the pavilion at the north end.

Just south of the park is Riverside Church.