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640 5 Avenue
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Vanderbilt Twins
Post
W.H. Vanderbilt Residences ca. 1898 William H. Vanderbilt purchased the entire block front on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets in 1879, having recently inherited a fortune from his father, Cornelius Vanderbilt. Architects John B. Snook and Charles Atwood designed twin houses connected by a glass atrium and entrance vestibule, and the famed Herter Brothers decorated the houses with such extravagance that Artistic Houses devoted 17 pages to its interiors upon their completion in 1883. W.H. Vanderbilt and his wife lived in the southern house, while their two daughters and sons-in-law occupied the other.
The Birth of the Metropolitan Opera
Story
Any opera lover in New York knows one of the best places to hear an aria (or a couple dozen) is at the Metropolitan Opera. But many may not know about its contentious beginnings! It was at 39th and Broadway where one of the greatest Gilded Age dramas played out. And it wasn't on stage!
The Mansions of Fifth Avenue
Walk
As the city expanded and the relentless churning of commerce caused New York's population to explode, the city pushed northward. As the city itself moved northward, so did its elite. They settled along the undeveloped edge of the brand new Central Park, building enormous homes and mansions to celebrate their fabulous wealth. This walk takes you through a selection of the Fifth Avenue mansions that would have once dominated the Avenue.
Photos
(47)
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Vanderbilt Twins
Vanderbilt twin houses, 640 Fifth Avenue, New York City, May 13, 1891.
Vanderbilt Twins
Street Scenes-About 1892 Fifth Ave. 51st to 52nd St. No. Side. The corner of 51st St. and 5th Ave., showing the twin Vanderbilt houses, boxey structures built in the style of the palazzis of Northern Italy (quote from "Once Upon a City", p. 30). Cobblestone streets in foreground.
Vanderbilt Twins
Looking North on 5th Ave. from 51st St. N.Y. \[Fifth Avenue Vanderbilt Residences on the Left]. Looking north on 5th Ave. from 51st St. with the William H. Vanderbilt II residences prominent on the left.
Vanderbilt Twins
Residence, 51st to 52nd Sts. West Side, Sloane & Bordens \[?] Fifth Ave. The Sloane and Borden residences on the west side of 5th Avenue between 51st and 52nd Streets; looking from the grounds of the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum for Boys at 51st Street & Fifth Avenue.
Vanderbilt Twins
Street Scenes 1898, Fifth Ave. W. Side, 51st to 52nd Sts. From Grounds of Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum Showing Sloane and Borden Houses. The west side of 5th Avenue between 51st and 52nd Streets taken from the grounds of the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum. Several horse-drawn carriages can be seen on 5th Avenue. The fronts of the Sloane and Borden homes are shown
Vanderbilt Twins
Manhattan: 5th Avenue - 51st Street Fifth Avenue north from 51st Street, showing Easter Sunday crowds. Two automobiles may be seen in this picture--one, in left foreground is south-bound, and is almost at N.W. corner of 51st Street. The other is north-bound, and is in right centre of picture. 1903\. Ewing Galloway, Photographer.
Vanderbilt Twins
640 5th Avenue at 51st Street. F. W. Vanderbilt house.
Vanderbilt Twins
5th Avenue between 51st and 52nd Streets. Vanderbilt and Sloane residence.
Vanderbilt Twins
5th Avenue between 51st and 52nd Streets. Sloan and Vanderbilt Houses.
646-660 Fifth Avenue
H. Hicks & Son (Fruit Shop), Looking Up Fifth Avenue Showing Fruit.
Vanderbilt Twins
West Side of Fifth Ave. 51 to 52 Sts. Photographs, Prints & Drawings Photographs, Prints & Drawings
650-670 Fifth Avenue
West Side of Fifth Ave. 52 to 53 Sts.
650-670 Fifth Avenue
West Side of Fifth Ave. 52 to 53 Sts. The west blockfront of 5th Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Streets.
646-660 Fifth Avenue
West Side of Fifth Ave. 45 to 46 Sts.
Vanderbilt Twins
West Side of Fifth Ave. 51 to 52 Sts.
Vanderbilt Twins
West side of Fifth Avenue looking north from 51st Street, New York City, 1924. View showing Vanderbilt houses. (Roege 9416)
Vanderbilt Twins
View up Fifth Avenue from the vicinity of 51st Street, New York City, undated (ca. 1925-1935).
646 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan: 5th Avenue - 45th Street Fifth Avenue, west side, north from 45th Street, a night view. Among the shops and office buildings the spire of the Collegiate Church, on the N.W. corner of 46th Street, stands out like a dark shadow. The slowness of the lens makes this photo- graph an interesting study of automobile traffic in motion. April 22, 1931 New York Edison Company Collection NO REPRODUCTIONS.
640 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan: 5th Avenue - 53rd Street South on West Side, of Fifth Avenue from N.E. corner of 53rd Street. November 13, 1932 P.L. Sperr. Photographer.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street. Best and Co. store.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street. Best and Co. store.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street. Crowell Collier Building, bldg under construction, detail of south front showing sign leased to National City S'r \[Bank] of N.Y.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street. Crowell Collier Building, bldg under construction, detail of south front showing sign leased to National City S'r \[Bank] of N.Y.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street. Crowell Collier Building, bldg under construction, general view from S.E..
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street, N.W. corner. Cromwell - Collier Building, general exterior from plaza in front of St. Patrick's.
640 Fifth Avenue
West 51st Street. Collier Building, detail of entrance, south side of building.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street. Cromwell - Collier Building, view of upper 5th Avenue windows from Best and Co. store.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street, N.W. corner. Cromwell - Collier Building, general exterior from plaza in front of St. Patrick's.
640 Fifth Avenue
51st Street and 5th Avenue. Crowell-Collier Building, lobby detail towards entrance.
640 Fifth Avenue
51st Street and 5th Avenue. Crowell-Collier Building, entrance lobby towards rear.
640 Fifth Avenue
51st Street and 5th Avenue. Crowell-Collier Building, lobby towards entrance.
640 Fifth Avenue
51st Street and 5th Avenue. Crowell-Collier Building, detail of elevator control desk.
640 Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue and 51st Street. Best and Company, special view of main store, more of front building from 6th floor set back on interior building Rockefeller Center.
Vanderbilt Twins
\[West Side of Fifth Avenue from 51st to 52nd Streets.]
Vanderbilt Twins
Vanderbilt Mansion and Fifth Avenue, New York. Primary subject: Vanderbilt Mansions Secondary subject: Saint Thomas Church
640 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan: 5th Avenue - 51st Street (West) 640 Fifth Avenue, at the N. W. corner of West 51st St., showing the Vanderbilt home, prior to its proposed demolition. This structure has been sold to the Astor real estete interests and who plan to erect a commercial two story structure here. It was the first of the numerous Vanderbilt houses in this area and now is the last. It was erected for Mrs. William H. Vanderbilt who became the dominant figure in society. Recognition here connoted social acceptance. General Cornelius Vanderbilt inherited it at a later date. October 26, 1940 Robert A. Knudtsen 221 E. 31at St., N.Y.C. Neg #1005
Vanderbilt Twins
Vanderbilt Residences Souvenir of Greater New-York
1 West 51st Street
Manhattan: 51st Street - 5th Avenue 1-7 West 51st Street, adjoining and west of the N.W. corner of Fifth Ave. November 2, 1932. P. L. Sperr.
Vanderbilt Twins
Fifth Avenue - East 52nd Street
Vanderbilt Twins
Fifth Avenue - East 52nd Street
Vanderbilt Twins
Fifth Avenue - East 52nd Street
640 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan: 5th Avenue - 51st Street (West) New York 1888 Neg #1329
640 Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue - 51st Street, northwest corner -
Vanderbilt Twins
Manhattan: Vanderbilt mansions on Fifth Avenue at 51st Street, undated.
640 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan: 5th Avenue - 51st Street (West) Home of General Cornelius Vanderbilt, N.W. corner of Fifth Avenue and 5lst Street. A similar house formerly adjoined it on the right, and the two were known as the twin Vanderbilt houses. Richard Morris Hunt was architect for the two. April 9,1928. P.L.Sperr,Photographer. NO REPRODUCTIONS. A view mainly of the N.W. corner. November 13, 1932. P. L. Sperr.
Vanderbilt Twins
Vanderbilt Mansions Primary subject: Vanderbilt Mansions Secondary subject: Carnegie Mansion
Vanderbilt Twins
Vanderbilt Mansion and Fifth Avenue, New York
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