"I dream't I dwelt in marble halls"
Devoted to the histories and current state of the great mansions of America's Gilded Age.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Some Fifth Avenue Mansions


This is a view of Fifth Avenue at 58th Street, looking south and shows the Cornelius Vanderbilt II mansion on the right. It is only a partial view, but at the time was considered the largest mansion in New york City. On the left is the block of French style mansions constructed for Mary Mason Jones. Beyond are the St. Regis Hotel and the former Gotham Hotel, now know as the Peninsula Hotel. The Vanderbilt Mansion was demolished in 1926 and replaced by the still standing Bergdorf Goodman Department store and the Jones houses have been replaced with modern skyscapers.

2 comments:

Kevin P said...

These are so grand, and so short lived also. It's a pity these magnificent buildings were discarded and recycled so soon in their lifespan. Which was the biggest mansion in New York City? My guess would be the Charles M. Schwab mansion, the house was gigantic.

Gary Lawrance said...

Yes, the Schwab house would likely be the largest, but being on Riverside Drive and not Fifth Avenue, didn't get as much attention. Many believe the Senator Clark mansion was the largest, and talk about short lived, that only lasted about 25 years. If you don't have the book, "Great Houses of New York", by Michael Kathrens, you must get it!

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