Manhattan: Broadway - 32nd Street

According to the New York Times ofJuly 1, 1939, the above mentioned structure had been leased by the Metropolitan Insurance Company until December 31, 1949 to a syndicate headed by Frank W.Eridel, operator of several other large hotels.
The 500-room hostelry had been improved and modernized; public rooms and some other parts of the building had been air conditioned. Many of the original features for which this hotel is famous have been retained in a more modern setting.

The elaborate Roman-style floor is admired by many. It was laid by Italian workmen brought to this country for this purpose. They inlaid tiles in the lobby and corridors and the ancient Wynwood Martinique clock are retained to delight lovers of antiques and clock experts. This clock is perhaps the most interesting decorative piece in the building. It was fashioned by hand by H.T. Crawford, clockmaker to royalty, in 1691, under a special cormission from Sir. Nalph Wynwood. In the burnished wood the English craftsman carved the figures of St. Matthew, standing and kneeling, attended by cherubs around the dials Mhich still correctly show the hour, the day of the week and the day of the month. At Sir RalphWynwood's death the fifteen-foot timepiece ent to the Mittendorf colledticn of clocks in Russia. It was later boumht for'B,50O by Mrs. Elisaheth C. Cole of New YArk. William R.H. Martin purchased it in 1911 from the Cole estate to add to this collection. Later owners were Cornelius Vanderbilt and and Oliver H.P. Belmont,but Mr. Martin again boumht it to install in the Broadway hotel which has been in oeration for forty years.