Hampshire House

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Coordinates: 40°45′58″N 73°58′41″W / 40.76611°N 73.97806°W / 40.76611; -73.97806

View from 30 Rockefeller Plaza

Hampshire House is an apartment building and hotel located at 150 Central Park South in Manhattan, New York City, on the southern edge of Central Park between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. It contains 155 apartments on 36 floors.[1]

History[]

Origins[]

Hampshire House started as an addition to the Hotel Maurice on West 58th Street, designed by Caughey & Evans. The original plan of this tower, in 1926, was an apartment hotel called “Medici Tower” with 39 floors. The tower would also include offices. Later, the tower piqued the interest of the Architectural League of New York which, as a result, attracted a lot of attention throughout the country.[2] By 1930, H.K Ferguson Company of Cleveland, Ohio, was the new owner. Caughey and Evans designed a new plan: an “apartment hotel” with 34 floors, called “Central Park Suites.”[3] In this new design, which would be shortly named “Hampshire House”, Caughey and Evans wanted a balance between traditional and modern architecture. The New York Times describes it as “an adaptation to the modern tall building of the Georgian style such as is found in many old homes in the County of Hampshire, England. The exterior will be a black and white chromium steel.”[4] The Central Park South building was envisioned as a narrow tower with a dome, but the plans were changed to a 36-story apartment hotel in the Regency and Art Deco styles.[5]

Hampshire House already had a planned media event for its opening in 1931, like other famous projects of the roaring twenties. Hampshire House was listed as a new way of luxurious living of suites, proximity to a lot of the most famous amusement sites.[6] With the onset of the Great Depression, however, the builder walked away; the mortgage was foreclosed upon and Hampshire House went into receivership.[7] It joined a group of buildings around the area, known as “Series C-2 guaranteed mortgage certificates” who had defaulted mortgages from the New York Title and Mortgage Company.[8] The C-2 properties were rescued by the New York State Supreme court Justice Alfred Frankenthaler and were forced to complete the building themselves, as they could not find any reasonable buyers. They hired Caughey and Evans again to continue with their plan.[9]

Operation[]

The previous trustees of the Hampshire House sold it to the Kirkeby Group in 1946. The Kirkeby group controlled a lot of other prestigious hotels around the country. Later, they merged with Hilton chain.[10]

Hampshire House does not offer short-term stays anymore. All co-operative apartments are owned by someone and continues to thrive due to its luxurious and elegant residency. The building is known for its welcoming staff, interiors, architectural distinction and outstanding location.[11]

Design[]

Interiors[]

The trustees hired Dorothy Draper, an interior designer, in order to make people want to live in a building which was at some point an empty shell on one of the most visible streets.[12] Draper envisioned the building as a traditional London townhouse. She included a small lobby, and a garden with a fountain and pool to create the atmosphere of a Georgian townhouse in Britain. She also designed a restaurant within the building called “The Cottage,” that soon became one of New York's well known party rooms.

The Cottage Room[]

This room was a major venue for luxurious events like wedding receptions, dinners, luncheons and other celebrations. There were several famous celebrations including: Bee Gees performance in 1971,[13] Eubie Blake’s 90th birthday party, Calvin Klein’s wedding,[14] among others. The cottage completely closed in 1986.

Publications[]

The Hampshire House opened on October 16, 1937. The New York Times ad campaign noted: “New York’s newest exclusive apartment hotel - has the entire length of Central Park as its footstool - suggests a London town house in a Hyde Park setting.”[15]

Hampshire House appeared in many magazines and guides of New York. Architectural Record posted a photo of Hampshire House's lobby in January 1938.[16] Lawton Mackall says: "decor by Dorothy Draper creates [the] illusion that this is [the] dining room of a fabulous country estate looking out through [the] orangerie."[17] Craig Clairborne says it had "one of New York's most stylish dining rooms."[18]

Services and amenities[]

Hampshire House used to have a florist shop, and not just any florist shop: it was run by Beatrice Mann,"florist to the stars," who operated in the shop for more than 40 years. There was also a barber shop and beauty salon that closed as they became unnecessary. As the hotel was evolving to a high-end cooperative the "turndown" service became optional.

The Hampshire House replaced a news stand in its lobby (as seen in many hotels), to direct New York Times delivery to each resident in the co-op.

Entirely new services have been introduced like a gym, car services for residents and a pianist who plays twice a week in the lobby.[11]

Residents and guests[]

Some of the residents at the Hampshire House stayed for a short time, as it also functioned as a regular hotel, while others were long-term residents.

Early residents[]

Some of the first residents in the building according to the New York Times, were: John Hemingway, Ann Morgan, Rodman Wanamaker 2nd, Edward H. Rice, Charles Warren, etc.[19]

Ray Bolger leased an apartment at the Hampshire House in 1940.[20]

Guests[]

George Abott stayed at the Hampshire House during Broadway season.[21] Some of the other guests included Lucille Ball,[22] Ingrid Bergman,[23] John Wayne, Greta Garbo,[24]Peter Sellers, and Django Reinhardt,[25] among others. Marilyn Monroe stayed at the Hampshire House for some time, with Joe DiMaggio.[26]

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner were seen staying together at the Hampshire House for the first time. The newspapers announced "Frank and Ava at the same hotel." Soon enough, Hampshire House was filled with reporters and paparazzi.[27]

Residents[]

Jose Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti all lived at the Hampshire House. Carreras bought his apartment in 1955, Pavarotti in 1983, and Domingo in 1977.[28]

Boxer Barney Ross had an apartment at the Hampshire House to store items during the state of Israel's establishment.[29] Director William Wyler also lived at Hampshire House with his wife, Talli.[30] Other residents include novelist Vladmir Nabokov,[31] Art Garfunkel,[32] Sonja Henie[33] and other notable celebrities. Julien Arpels, an heir to the Van Cleef & Arpels fortune, had his residence at the Hampshire House and died in his apartment in 1964.[34]

References[]

  1. ^ "The Hampshire House - 150 Central Park South". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  2. ^ Brock, H. I (1929-04-21). "The Broad Sweep of American Architecture; The Designers of Our City Towers and of Our Country Homes, in the Exhibition at the Grand Central Palace, Exemplify Trends Modern Building Is Following--New Straight Thrust of the Skyscraper Double Line of Progress. Color In Accessories. The Old Style Survives". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  3. ^ "Central Park Suites.; Plans Completed for Large Building on South Side". The New York Times. 1930-10-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  4. ^ "Cornerstone Is Laid for Hampshire House; Thirty--seven--Story Residential Building on Central Park South to Open in Fall". The New York Times. 1931-03-25. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  5. ^ Gray, Christopher (1990-05-20). "Streetscapes: Hampshire House; A Case of 'Frenzied Financing'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  6. ^ Chase, W. Parker (1983) [1932]. New York, the Wonder City. New York: New York Bound. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-9608788-2-6. OCLC 9946323.
  7. ^ "Hampshire House May Be Completed; Big Structure on Central Park South Now Held by Mort- gage Company". The New York Times. 1933-06-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  8. ^ "$24,000,000 Plan Rejected by Court; State Officials' Handling of New York Title & Mortgage Series C-2 Criticized". The New York Times. 1935-09-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  9. ^ "$1,450,000 Sought to Finish Big Hotel; Mortgage Trustees Ask Court to Sanction Completion of 34-Story Hampshire House". The New York Times. 1936-11-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  10. ^ The New Yorker. February 20, 1971. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ a b Robins, Anthony (2013). Hampshire House. 150 Central Park South, Inc. p. 28.
  12. ^ Peyton, Martha (2008-01-01). "Real Estate Investment Style and Style Purity". Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management. 14 (4): 325–334. doi:10.1080/10835547.2008.12089815. ISSN 1083-5547.
  13. ^ "The New Yorker February 27, 1971 Issue". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  14. ^ "Calvin Klein Collection, Calvin Klein, Spring/Summer 2000", Fashion Photography Archive, Bloomsbury, 2015, doi:10.5040/9781474260428-fpa276, ISBN 978-1-4742-6042-8, retrieved 2021-04-07
  15. ^ "Advertisement". New York Times. April 14, 1937.
  16. ^ Record., Architectural. Record houses and apartments of the year. [McGraw-Hill]. OCLC 5282592.
  17. ^ 1888-1968., Mackall, Lawton (1949). Knife and fork in New York; where to eat, what to order. [Doubleday]. OCLC 6442071.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ York., Claiborne, Craig. New York times guide to dining out in New (1972) [1971]. The New York times guide to dining out in New York. Atheneum. OCLC 2780465.
  19. ^ "CITY-WIDE RENTALS LISTED BY BROKERS; Long Island and Westchester Apartments Included in Transactions Reported J. L. LEEDS LEASES SUITE Mrs. R. G. Gardner Takes Duplex Maisonette Unit--Suites Taken in Hampshire House". The New York Times. 1937-10-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  20. ^ "RAY BOLGER LEASES IN HAMPSHIRE HOUSE; Dancer Takes Furnished Suite-- Other Tenancies Listed". The New York Times. 1940-01-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  21. ^ Millstein, Gilbert (1954-10-03). "Mr. Abbott: One-Man Theatre; His formula for 'avoiding boredom' is to be a producer-director-actor-author". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  22. ^ Steven., Sanders, Coyne (2011). Desilu : the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It Books. ISBN 978-0-06-202001-7. OCLC 692291706.
  23. ^ 1915-1982., Bergman, Ingrid (1981). Ingrid Bergman : my story. Sphere. ISBN 0-7221-1631-4. OCLC 16542963.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Barry., Paris (2002). Garbo : a biography. University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 978-0-8166-4182-6. OCLC 784293348.
  25. ^ Christian, Dregni, Michael Rummel (2016), Django The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend., Audible Studios on Brilliance audio, ISBN 978-1-5226-6974-6, OCLC 947797157, retrieved 2021-04-07
  26. ^ Randall., Riese (1988). The unabridged Marilyn : her life from A to Z. Corgi. ISBN 0-552-99308-5. OCLC 122329404.
  27. ^ Anthony., Scaduto (1977). Frank Sinatra. Presses de la Cité. ISBN 2-258-00272-9. OCLC 77162673.
  28. ^ Robins, Anthony (2013). Hampshire House. 150 Central Park South, Inc. p. 23.
  29. ^ Douglas., Century (2009). Barney Ross : the Life of a Jewish Fighter. Schocken. ISBN 978-1-299-18300-1. OCLC 842942910.
  30. ^ Jan., Herman (1996). A talent for trouble : the life of Hollywood's most acclaimed director, William Wyler. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0-399-14012-3. OCLC 859028050.
  31. ^ Jukes Morris, Sylvia; Peiffer, Mary (1998), Rage for fame : the ascent of Clare Boothe Luce, Books on Tape, ISBN 0-7366-4101-7, OCLC 39139140, retrieved 2021-04-07
  32. ^ Grella, George J. (2014). "Garfunkel, Art(hur Ira)". Grove Music Online. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.a2262315. ISBN 9781561592630. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  33. ^ Daley, Arthur (1951-01-29). "Sports of The Times; Golden Girl Completely Altered Sonja Explains Crazy Hours". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  34. ^ "JULIEN ARPELS, 79, HEAD OF GEM FIRM; International Jeweler Dies at Home in New York". The New York Times. 1964-04-10. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-08-29.

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