The Lost Mansions of Manhattan: New York 100 Years Ago

Since the Dutch settlement of Manahatta in 1624, the city has been rebuilt and remodeled so many times that we tend to forget what New York once looked like. Even in our own lifetime, the city has transformed dramatically. It surely doesn't help that nearly all of the mansions and estates built during what I call the Golden Age of real estate (1880-1920) in New York have been torn down. Unfortunately, my parents didn't buy me that time machine I requested for my 22nd birthday--So I have decided to take matters into my own hands and take us back 100 years when the streets were lined with sprawling mansions, cured gardens and enough marble swag to make an evil modernist change their ways. Here are the top 8 most iconic and sadly missed mansions in New York.

 Alright, let's go. 
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8)

The Triple Palace at 640 & 642 Fifth Avenue at 51st Street

 Although one of the richest men in America (worth $100 Million at the time of his death), Cornelius Vanderbilt was considered "new money" and barred from New York's aristocracy. The third generation of Vanderbilts changed all of that and broke into society by building illustrious mansions like the Triple Palace at 640, 642 Fifth Avenue and 2 West 52nd Street, which were so grand that photographers struggled to capture all three in one frame. After inheriting nearly all of his father's fortune ($90 Million to be exact), William Henry Vanderbilt hired architect John Butler Snook to build three "modest dwellings" for himself and two daughters, Margaret and Emily Vanderbilt. 

You know, kind of like when your parents give you rent money.... 640 Fifth Avenue actually outlasted just about all the mansions on Vanderbilt Row, which stretched unobstructed to 680 Fifth Avenue. The mansion was like a frat house for the really really wealthy party people of NY. The Vanderbilt galas ranged anywhere from $10K to $250K. By the 1940s, the area was overrun by skyscrapers and commercialism. So in 1943, Grace Vanderbilt the ultimate social butterfly, threw one final banger* in the mansion. Finally, in 1944, the last of the Triple Palace came face to face with the wrecking ball. RIP my brew. Now... there's an H&M there; sweaters range from $12.95-$49.50

 #FML

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7)

The Beekman Estate at 50th & First Avenue 

The Beekman Estate at Mount Pleasant was built by James Beekman in 1763. We're talking Colonial Swag. Located on a bluff at 50th Street and First Avenue with unobstructed views of Turtle Bay, it served as the Beekman's country estate. The houses exterior reflected the Dutch colonial mansions of the previous century while the interiors were designed with European period rooms, stained glass, black marble and a seventeenth-century carved mahogany wood fireplace that stretched to the ceiling. I'll take two of those please! The British took over Mount Pleasant during the Revolutionary War and the Beekmans did not return to their estate until 1783. They did however send a rent bill to the British Government...which I personally think is awesome. The family loved the estate so much that they paid thousands of dollars to move it a block South to avoid its destruction while The Grid of 1811 was being laid. At its new home, the house sat twenty feet proudly above First Avenue until 1874 when in the old battle between land value -vs- architecture .... well you know how it played out. Sorry MT. P .. WE MISS YOU 

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6)

Le Petit Chateu @ 660 Fifth Avenue 

So we're just going to stay on the Vanderbilt train for a little while. This mansion serves as a great lesson for everyone: if you want to make your wife happy, give her an unlimited budget, and let her build her dream home. Pictured above is the William Kissam and Alva Vanderbilt house at 660 Fifth Avenue. With the help of renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, Alva Vanderbilt set the precedent of luxury living in NYC by building the first Beaux-Arts mansion with a limestone facade in New York. And just in case you didn't know who the HBIC* was, in the Spring of 1883, Alva threw a Masquerade ball with a guest list of 1,000 and a price tag of $3 Million. In 1925, Le Petit Chateau was sold to a real estate developer and demolished. Today, there is a 41-story office tower that stands boringly in its place. 

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5)

The Astor Mansion at 65th & Fifth Avenue 

Coming in at number five is the unforgettable Astor Mansion (not that I was ever there) located at 840 Fifth Avenue on the corner of 65th and Fifth Avenue. Mrs. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor was the matriarch of  NY society and when she built her limestone mansion North of Vanderbilt Row, the rest of the aristocracy moved with her. Her mansion was most famous for her ballroom in which New York's Elite 400 could gather for the most lavish parties in NY. Her ballroom was gold and marble and if you made it into her ballroom, you made it in society. With five floors and over fifty rooms filled with priceless antiques and artwork the mansion surpassed the lives of  both Mrs. Caroline Astor who died of old age, and her son, John  Jacob Astor IV who died on the Titanic. In 1926, the mansion was torn down and replaced with Temple Emanu-el. L'chaim to it not being an office building. 

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4)

Paterno Castle overlooking the Hudson River

Let's head to Northern Manhattan in Hudson Heights. Ever wonder why it is commonly referred to as Castle Hill? Well, probably because Dr. Charles Paterno built himself a 35-room castle situated 125 feet above the Hudson River. Cue the beloved "Location, Location, Location!" line. In 1905, Dr. Paterno, now a real estate developer, purchased seven acres of land and commissioned architect John C. Watson to build his $500,000 estate and castle with acres of lush Italianate Gardens, an indoor pool and a guest house which still stands and is actually really cool!! I guess being a real estate developer and castle owner quickly becomes an anomaly. In 1938, Dr. Paterno announced plans to replace his sprawling castle with five cooperative apartment buildings. And by the end of 1938, the Paterno Castle was completely gone. Today, Castle Village stands in its place and apartments range from $250,000-$1.6M. I would include a picture, but morally, I can't. So go on StreetEasy.  
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3)  

The Cornelius Vanderbilt Mansion at 57th & Fifth Avenue 

The Cornelius Vanderbilt II mansion located at 1 West 57th Street was truly something to write home about--and probably do a song and dance while you're at it. WE'RE TALKING THE LARGEST MANSION EVER BUILT IN NEW YORK CITY. The Big Daddy of Fifth Avenue. 

OK--Here's the scoop. Cornelius II first built a sprawling limestone and red brick mansion on West 57th Street, just half a block from Fifth Avenue. Don't get me wrong, it was large. But with  other millionaires trying to one-up his crib he expanded his mansion to encompass the entirety of 57th-58th Street overlooking the lush 843-acre Central Park. So how big was it, you ask?? Just a mere 130 rooms, no big deal (get it?!). But sadly, as the neighborhood became increasingly commercial and real estate taxes skyrocketed. The Vanderbilt family could no longer hold onto the jewel of Fifth Avenue. and in 1926, it was demolished and replaced by Bergdorf-Goodman. 

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2)       

The Tiffany Mansion at 72nd & Madison Avenue

Completed in 1885 with a whopping 57 rooms, the Louis Tiffany House located at 27 East 72nd Street and Madison Avenue is one of the most magnificent Manhattan mansions of all time. YES, that is a fact. Designed by A-List architects Mckim, Mead & White, the residence was actually split into four separate apartments intended for the entire family, but only Charles Lewis Tiffany and Louis Comfort Tiffany's family ever moved in. The mega-large cottage-like mansion was a step away from the Beaux-Arts architecture that dominated the neighborhood, which is only one of the million reasons it was so downright awesome. With real estate developers hounding for more land to erect apartment buildings along favorable avenues, the Tiffany Mansion fell to the wrecking ball in 1936.

I thought diamonds were forever...  

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1)

The Charles Schwab Mansion was once the largest West Side Residence

And now, for the most iconic and the grandest mansion of them all. Ladies and gentlemen, the Charles Schwab Mansion at Riverside Drive and 73rd/74th Street. Yes, it really encompassed the whole block. The 75 room mansion took four years to build with a price tag of $6 Million. Just FYI my friends, that's roughly $150,200,700 in today's dollars. I guess being the president of U.S Steel during the Industrial Revolution has its perks. Even Andrew Carnegie, one of the richest men in American history was quoted saying, "Have you seen that place of Charlie's? It makes mine look like a shack." The 50,000 square foot mansion boasted a swimming pool, bowling alley, three elevators, 75 rooms and interiors in the styles of Henry IV, Louis XIII, Louis XV and Louis XVI. Schwab's empire however, was dwindling in the years following the Great Depression, and after failed attempts to sell his Chateau, he offered to sell the house to the City of NY as the mayoral residence. Mayor Fiorella La Guardia rejected.. #Ruuuude. In 1939, Schwab moved out of the mansion and into a hotel where he died only six months later. With the its real estate taxes exceeding $60,000 and a shortage of apartments, the most magnificent Manhattan mansion was demolished in 1946 and replaced with a brick building called the Schwab House.

 Yes... it is as basic as it sounds.  

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Well, that's all the emotional distress I can take for one sitting. I hope you enjoyed our tour of how amazing New York once looked. Anyone looking to build a mansion in the next few years.. shoot me an email. 

*HBIC- head betch in charge 

*banger- a wild party 

Theodore Roosevelt's Brownstone @ 28 East 20th Street

Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty sixth president of the United States is one of the most interesting men in the world... perhaps only second to the Dos Equis guy. Roosevelt was not only one of the most celebrated New Yorkers in American history, but his neo-Gothic brownstone at 28 East 20th Street is pretty darn snazzy and located just two blocks from my apartment in the Flatiron District...no bias here folks, I promise.

The row houses at 18-28 East 20th in the 1850s

The Flatiron District, as we know it today, first became fashionable in the 1843 when Samuel Ruggles (developer of Gramercy Park) pushed for the establishment and beautification of Union Square park.

In 1848 six neo-Gothic row houses were built between 18-28 East 20th Street between Park Avenue South and Broadway. In true New York fashion, the Roosevelt brothers, Robert a lawyer and Theodore a publisher, were given the twin houses at 26 East 20th Street and 28 East 20th Street as wedding gifts, respectively. Perhaps now is a good time to mention that the house that now passes as Roosevelt's birthplace is a replica...but we will get to that later.

The parlor

In October of 1858, young Theodore graced the world with his arrival and was actually born in the elegant five story brownstone, which trumps Mount Sinai if you ask me. The family lived comfortably under their mansard roof with a large formal dining room, four bedrooms, library, parlor, sitting room (we all need one of those), servant quarters and a gymnasium in the backyard.

The room in which Theodore Roosevelt was born

The family relocated in 1873 to a more private and residential neighborhood at 6 West 57th Street when Roosevelt was fourteen. This was the last time Roosevelt would enjoy his childhood residence. The family retained ownership of the property, but rented it out to a number of commercial establishments for the remainder of the century. And again, in true New York fashion, the building deteriorated and underwent a number of horrific alterations such as the addition of a protruding rectangular glass storefront from its facade and some hideously tacked on commercial signs.  

26-28 East 20th in the 1890s

In 1905, a group of Roosevelt enthusiasts known as the Roosevelt Home Club, purchased the building for next to nothing with the intention of preserving the structure. I'm assuming the RHC didn't have the strongest financials because they sold the house nearly a decade later. So much for preservation guys. And then in 1916, the inevitable happened. The beautiful townhouse that was once home to our beloved president and Teddy Bear was leveled into a two story clothing store while Roberts home housed a coffee shop..You really can't make this stuff up.

The Roosevelt library

But wait, there's more... This is the part of the story when society redeems itself! I guess when Colonel Roosevelt died in 1919 at the age of sixty, the good people of the Women's Roosevelt Memorial Committee thought it just might be a good idea to rebuild the historically significant structure as a memorial to the man who did so much for our great nation. Redemption my friends, redemption!

The formal dining room

Architect Theodate Pope Riddle was appointed to recreate Roosevelt's home and got to work right away. With Robert Roosevelt's brownstone still largely intact, Riddle studied and incorporated just about every detail to replicate Colonel Roosevelt's home. In addition, Roosevelt's wife and sister provided the furnishings from the original home to model the replica exactly how it appeared in 1865.  The Roosevelt home was completed for $1,200,000 and dedicated in October of 1923. I should mention that upon completion, Robert Roosevelt's house was torn down to make way for a museum addition. Slightly backwards, but we can't win em all. 

Theodore Roosevelt birthplace

So how much would it cost to live the strenuous life in this 25 foot wide, five story, incredibly historic (well kinda) presidential palace in one of New York's most sought after neighborhoods?? Throw down $27,000,000 and you might just be the next Progressive Rough Rider President of 20th Street. 

Me on my visit to T.R's home!

The National Park Service maintains the home and it is a museum open to the public with guided tours of the historic period rooms... and its awesome
Soo, the house isn't exactly for sale, but nothing a little replica can't fix.

#LONGLIVETHEBEAR

The Grange: Alexander Hamilton's Estate in NYC

So I am getting pretty nostalgic about graduating (and don't want to study for finals), and figured, what better historic real estate to write about than that of Alexander Hamilton, the man who my college is named after. Although I didn't personally know the guy, I would say he is pretty darn legit for not only agreeing to the Burr-Hamilton Duel, not like he was Secretary of the U.S Treasury or anything, but also for building a beautiful 32-acre country house in Harlem, NY. 

Hamilton's estate as it appeared in 1802

In 1799, Hamilton purchased sixteen acres of untouched land from Dr. Samuel Bradhurst and commissioned leading architect, John McComb Jr., to build a country home on what was then Manhattan's luscious countryside. The Grange, which was named after his grandfathers estate in Scotland, was completed in 1802, and was Hamilton's only home. Unfortunately, he only lived at              The Grange for two years because that gosh darn Burr cheated by not honoring his pre-duel pledge.........but alas-- I digress.

The twelve room, two-story, Federal Style home once sat happily on 32-acres of land with unobstructed views of the Harlem River and Harlem Plain. His estate stretched from 140th-147th Street and from Hamilton Terrace to Hamilton Place...I mean, naming a whole neighborhood after yourself... complete legend

The Grange once sat on 32-acres of land in Harlem

Hamilton's family lived at The Grange for thirty years after his death, but by the end of the century, the house was in foreclosure and condemned for destruction in order to allow for the implementation of The Grid. Could you imagine?? That concept is even more wild than The Duel. Instead, the good people at St. Luke's Episcopal Church bought The Grange and moved it three blocks to 287 Covent Avenue where the house was cramped between buildings and completely stripped of detail. In 1924, the house was turned into a museum (okay, we're making some progress) and alas, in 1960 designated a National Historic Landmark and administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. 

The Grange as it appeared in the late 19th century

I considered adding a photograph of what The Grange looked like cramped and stripped between St. Luke's and some horrific 10-story building... but something tells me that you're already getting the picture. Finally, after forty years of debate and commissioning, The Grange was moved two blocks to St. Nicholas Park where the original porches and the main entrance doorway were rebuilt, the main staircase within the entry foyer were fully restored and the thirteen gum trees that represented the then thirteen colonies were replanted. Not to mention, the building could now stand freely. The complete relocation and restoration took around five years, and The Grange officially opened to the public in 2011!

The Grange, upon restoration in 2011

So, how much would it cost to live in Al Ham's estate... only the most epic Founding Father of all time? Minus the 32-acre aspect, you're looking at a $5,800,000 price tag to own this tremendous 212 year old piece of history.   

Although The Grange is not for sale, and most likely never will be,  it will always remind me of the terrific four years I spent at Hamilton College. And if there is any such debate about Alexander Hamilton not being the most legendary Founding Father of all time, I will happily accept any and all challenges to a Duel in Weehawken. 

#HomeOnTheGrange 

The Palazzo Chupi @ 360 West 11th St.

It could just be my personal affinity (honest obsession) for all things pink, but the Palazzo Chupi located at 360 West 11th Street is actually remarkable. 

When American artist and Oscar nominated filmmaker, Julian Schnabel, needed more space for his work he did what most of us would do. Take a former horse stable in the West Village and build a Venetian palazzo atop it (and most importantly, make it pink). Schnable uses the majority of the bottom four floors as studio space and resides in one of the condos. Hats off to him, right??

And if you think the outside of the Palazzo Chupi is something to write home about, wait until you see the five palatial condominiums that boast 18-40 foot ceilings, impeccable finishes, outdoor space and views of the Hudson River.. you might just want to invest in a whole box of Ballpoint pens.

These one-of a-kind full floor residences start around $19,000,000--with the 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom, 7,500 square foot Penthouse triplex combo sitting pretty in pink with a price tag upwards of $35,000,000. If the pink wasn't quite enough for you, Schnabel then graced the interiors with his stylistic senses and installed sculpted fireplaces, Moroccan tile, soaring timbered ceilings, dozens of famous artworks, oversized arched windows and a 40-foot state of the art swimming pool. #Woah.

Well, if you love pink as much as I do, need a new apartment and will pay for 95% of it.
Message me. 

18 West 11th Street

If you've ever walked through the West Village, you've probably been pretty envious that you don't live there. It is one of New York's most historic and unique neighborhoods as it was part of the early Dutch Settlement of New Amsterdam. That alone would require you to know that the Dutch actually settled this lovely island of Manahatta in which we live. The Village is comprised of charming narrow streets with many houses that were built before the Commissioners Plan of 1811 (the Grid) was even proposed. So one might conclude that houses this grand, historic and unique cost a pretty (stunning, hot, smokeshow) penny.

 If you concluded yes, then you're right on the money, literally. 

Walk down West 11th Street between 5th & 6th Avenue and you'll see a row of identical red brick Greek Revival Townhouses...Except for no. 18, which has triangular wedge angling from its facade. Maybe in 1845 the architect, Henry Brevoort Jr. decided to get all avant garde with no. 18 and give it some flare! But alas he didn't. The story is way juicier than that.

The townhouses Nos. 14 to 24 on West 11th Street

In the Spring of 1970, the owners of no. 18, the Wilkersons, headed to St. Kitts for a couple of Mai Tais on the beach. Now, if you've ever tinkered with the idea of leaving your teenage kids alone while on vacay.... DON'T.
They might just be a part of a radical leftist organization known as the Weathermen Underground, and might just blow up your townhouse whilst trying to make bombs with dynamite intended for Columbia University. Just before noon, Cathlyn Wilkerson (the very responsible daughter and Weathermen bomb manufacturer) blew up her parents four bedroom and four bathroom townhouse. I mean seriously, you couldn't have used someone elses junky apartment to make explosives?.... now you're just being rude.

Needles to say, her parents were pissssed, and so was their nextdoor neighbor, Dustin Hoffman. Cathlyn took Home Alone to a whole different level. So you ground your kid for life and probably shun them, but what do you do with your nineteenth century townhouse? #BallsInYourCourt

Clearly, your best bet is to hire architect Hugh Hardy to trick the place out in the most classic of 1970s architectural fashion. Completely weird and modernist to the point that it might just be kind of cool. After fighting the Landmarks Commission, the house finally got approved  in 1978 for the triangular facelift as it appears today.

Private backyard                                     The living room 

So what's the price on this 5,000 square foot, 5 story, four bedroom, four bathroom townhouse with an elevator and a furnished backyard/garden??? It sold in 2013 for $9,250,000. Which really isn't all that bad since it was originally listed for $10,995,000. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to Cathlyn, she did the right thing and disappeared for ten years.
#HIDEYOURKIDS

The Schinasi Mansion @ 351 Riverside Drive

The mansion as it appears today

Ever wonder where all the mansions in New York City went? Did you even know that NY was once populated with sprawling limestone mansions?? 

Unfortunately for us, nearly almost all of New York's mansions have been torn down and replaced with hideous 1970s architecture, but as the only single family free-standing mansion left in NYC, 351 Riverside Drive gives us a glimpse into the luxury living of New York's past. 

Having lived three blocks from the mansion throughout my teenage years, the Morris Schniasi mansion is undoubtedly one of my favorite buildings in New York. In so few works, its freakin' SICK...now let me tell you why. 

The Schinasi Mansion was built in 1909 by William F. Tuthill, who later went on to build a fairly recognizable landmark in New York known as Carnegie Hall. Did Schinasi, the millionaire Turkish tobacco baron actually pay Tuthill for the 12,000 square foot, 12 bedroom, 11 bathroom, 4 story limestone mansion with a private tunnel to the Hudson River... Absolutely Not. But that's chill right? 

The Schinasi's lived in the mansion until the baron's death in 1928. It       was during this period when most wealthy New York families were selling  their mansions to real estate developers and reconstructing their mansionettes  atop luxury apartment buildings. The Schinasi mansion was sold to the  Semple School for Girls in 1930 for a mere $200,000 (someone invent time  travel for me PLZ) and then again in 1960 to Columbia University and  turned into a Day Care..(Like actually ew). After being passed around like a  kid in foster care, the battered and deteriorating gem was purchased by Hans  Smit, a Columbia Law Professor, in 1979 for $325,000..OK--but like FOR REAL THOUGH?!

The original library

In 2006, 351 Riverside Drive was put back on the market for a whopping $31,000,000 (just say it with the Dr. Evil accent). After sitting on the market for years, the inevitable happened and the price was reduced to $25,000,000 At that point, I was ready to rob a bank or sell a kidney. Like whichever. I guess things got a little desperate after the market crashed in 2008/09 and the owner let USA film a few seasons of White Collar in it. Just when I had given up all hope, my sweet darling princess decided to stop playing hard to get and reduced her price to a mere $14,000,000. But alas, Mark Schwartz of Goldman beat me to the punch and purchased my limestone lover. Better luck next time Kenz.