While searching for the Merchant House Museum, I came across my new favorite building in Manhattan. I'm certain I'm destined to live here at some point in my life...
These townhouses known as LaGrange Terrace, of which only four of the original nine remain, were begun in 1831 and finished in 1833. Each house contained 26 rooms, marble mantles, indoor heating, and a bathing room. Such luxuries attracted the likes of the Astors and Vanderbilts.
LaGrange Terrace as it would have originally appeared in the 1830s...
and in the 1850s...
and in the late 19th century...
note the penthouse addition to the far right unit
A neo-Venetian Gothic home that stood to the left of LaGrange Terrace... collection of the New York Public Library
Five of these homes became The Colonnade Hotel in 1875. They survived until the turn of the century when the hotel was demolished...
A detail of the front door surround during the demolition process (note the the empty lot at left). These fantastic marble porches with cast iron street lights were removed during the early part of the century to enlarge the sidewalks.
Another view during the demolition process. Note the original iron railings which have since been removed and replaced with a more generic version.
A view of the surviving units while the Wanamaker's warehouse was being constructed at left... collection of the New York Public Library
Another view contemporary with the one above... collection of the New York Public Library
The columns from the demolished houses were purchased by Luther Kountze at the turn of the century and were moved to his estate in Morristown, New Jersey where they remain today.
Elevation and architectural details completed by HABS...
Interior architectural details completed by HABS...
This post derives almost all of its historical information from a fantastic write up I found on the blog Daytonian in Manhattan that was published back in April of 2010. He delves into this topic much more deeply with all sorts of wonderful details. View this original post here.
Some years ago, I attended a party held in an apartment that comprised the principal floor of one of the houses. Although it was in poor condition, most of the architectural details remained extant, as shown in the measured drawings of the last image. The proportions of the rooms are as magnificent as the exterior. You made an excellent choice in your selection of a future home.
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