Hampshire House Explained

40.7661°N -73.9781°WHampshire 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

The building now known as New York City's Hampshire House was the brainchild of an Italian immigrant, Eugene E. Lignante, who came to America in 1891 on the SS Cheribon at the age of 11 with his parents. As a child, he was a talented violinist and working musician who is described in newspapers as having the ability to draw crowds.[2] As an adult Eugene grew to manage and direct several orchestras, playing at events and upscale hotels. With the increasing development of high-rise structures in the city during the early 20th century, Eugene changed career paths working in real estate, building and construction. In December 1925, Eugene hired architect Rollin Caughey to design a 39-story Art Deco tower at 154 West 58th Street, called the Medici Tower.

After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, numerous incomplete projects in New York City proceeded (including 330 West 42nd Street, the Carlyle Hotel, London Terrace, and The Majestic), but the Medici project was postponed. The new owners, H. K, Ferguson Company of Cleveland, Ohio, were forced to allow the building to remain unfinished. In the final redesign, Caughey and Evans created a new plan: an apartment hotel with 34 floors, called Central Park Suites.[3] Caughey and Evans created a balance between traditional and modern architecture in the building, which was renamed the Hampshire House. The New York Times described 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. 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.[5]

Foreclosure

By late 1930, a contract for of structural steel had been awarded for the building's construction.[6] The developers field plans for Hampshire House in early 1931,[7] and the New York Title and Mortgage Company gave the builders a construction loan of $2.2 million in March 1931.[8] The Hampshire House's cornerstone was laid during a ceremony on March 24, 1931.[9] That July, the New York Title and Mortgage Company sued to foreclose on the property, claiming that the main contractor had quit just before the building was completed.[10] [11] The New York Supreme Court appointed a receiver to collect rent for the building, but there was no rent to collect.

With the onset of the Great Depression, the building stood unfinished for many years.[12] New York Title and Mortgage, who had sought $3 million for the property, had only received a single bid of $800,000.[13] The company bought the hotel at a foreclosure auction in June 1933 for $100,000;[14] [15] the sale represented a loss of nearly $2.4 million.[16] They hired Caughey and Evans again to continue with their plan.[17]

New York Title and Mortgage itself went bankrupt,[18] and the Hampshire House joined a group of buildings in the area with "Series C-2 guaranteed mortgage certificates" that had defaulted on mortgages from the New York Title and Mortgage Company.[19] The C-2 properties were rescued by New York Supreme Court justice Alfred Frankenthaler, who appointed three trustees for the C-2 properties in April 1936.[20] The trustees immediately began devising ways to turn the abandoned Hampshire House into an income-producing property.[21] The trustees started negotiating to sell Hampshire House in August 1936,[22] and the court favored this plan.[23] Later that year, the trustees sought $1.45 million to complete Hampshire House. In December 1936, the court ordered that the trustees complete the building themselves, as they could not find any buyers willing to pay the minimum of $1 million for the property.[24] [25]

Operation

Hampshire House was listed as a new way of luxurious living of suites, and proximity to a lot of the most famous amusement sites.[26] 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.[27]

Hampshire House does not offer short-term stays anymore. All co-operative apartments are owned by someone and it continues to thrive due to its luxurious and elegant residency. The building is known for its welcoming staff, interiors, architectural distinction and outstanding location.[28]

Architecture

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.[29] According to The New York Times, the rooms featured "daring contrasts of black, white and turquoise, overscale plaster carving, mirrors and glass block and extraordinary door moldings of cast clear glass". 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,[30] Eubie Blake’s 90th birthday party, Calvin Klein’s wedding, 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.”[31]

Hampshire House appeared in many magazines and guides in New York. Architectural Record posted a photo of Hampshire House's lobby in January 1938.[32] 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."[33] Craig Clairborne says it had "one of New York's most stylish dining rooms."[34]

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.

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 included Ann Morgan, Rodman Wanamaker 2nd, Edward Rice, and Charles Warren.[35] Ray Bolger leased an apartment at the Hampshire House in 1940.[36]

Guests

George Abbott stayed at the Hampshire House during Broadway season.[37] Some of the other guests included Lucille Ball,[38] Ingrid Bergman,[39] John Wayne, Greta Garbo,[40] Peter Sellers, and Django Reinhardt, among others. Marilyn Monroe stayed at the Hampshire House for some time, with Joe DiMaggio.[41]

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.[42]

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.[43]

Boxer Barney Ross had an apartment at the Hampshire House to store items during the state of Israel's establishment.[44] Director William Wyler also lived at Hampshire House with his wife, Talli.[45] Other residents include novelist Vladmir Nabokov, Art Garfunkel,[46] Sonja Henie[47] 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.[48]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Hampshire House - 150 Central Park South. The New York Times. 2017-12-08. February 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216145448/https://www.nytimes.com/real-estate/usa/ny/new-york/midtown/building/150-central-park-south/1014. live.
  2. News: 1896-03-05. St Stanislaus and Little Church Around the Corner 1896. 5. Catholic Union and Times. 2022-12-19. December 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221219025712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101512935/st-stanislaus-and-little-church-around/. live.
  3. News: 1930-10-05. Central Park Suites.; Plans Completed for Large Building on South Side.. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-07. 0362-4331.
  4. News: 1931-03-25 . Cornerstone is Laid for Hampshire House; Thirty--seven--Story Residential Building on Central Park South to Open in Fall. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141922/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/03/25/archives/cornerstone-is-laid-for-hampshire-house-thirtysevenstory.html . live .
  5. News: 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. . en-US . The New York Times . 2021-04-07 . 0362-4331 . July 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200717160005/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/04/21/archives/the-broad-sweep-of-american-architecture-the-designers-of-our-city.html . live .
  6. News: 1930-11-27 . Structural Steel Gains; Contracts Awarded Last Week Call for 43,000 Tons. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219150032/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/11/27/archives/structural-steel-gains-contracts-awarded-last-week-call-for-43000.html . live .
  7. News: 1933-06-01 . Hampshire House May Be Completed; Big Structure on Central Park South Now Held by Mort- gage Company. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141911/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/06/01/archives/hampshire-house-may-be-completed-big-structure-on-central-park.html . live .
  8. News: 13 Mar 1931 . $2,200,000 Loan Placed On 59th Street Suites . 42 . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . .
  9. News: 25 Mar 1931 . $6,000,000 Hampshire House Cornerstone Set: 37-Story Building Is Under Construction in 59th Street . 40 . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . .
  10. News: 18 Jul 1931 . Foreclosure Suit Filed Against Hampshire House . 24 . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . .
  11. News: 1931-07-18 . Hampshire House Put in Receivership; Title Company Says Work on Nearly Finished $6,000,000 Project Is Abandoned . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219150035/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/07/18/archives/hampshire-house-put-in-receivership-title-company-says-work-on.html . live .
  12. News: 1933-06-01. Hampshire House May Be Completed; Big Structure on Central Park South Now Held by Mort- gage Company.. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-07. 0362-4331. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141911/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/06/01/archives/hampshire-house-may-be-completed-big-structure-on-central-park.html. live.
  13. News: Gray. Christopher. 1990-05-20. Streetscapes: Hampshire House; A Case of 'Frenzied Financing'. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-12-19. 0362-4331. December 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171203014032/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/20/realestate/streetscapes-hampshire-house-a-case-of-frenzied-financing.html. live.
  14. News: 10 Jun 1933 . Hampshire House Bid in at Auction: Mortgage Company Takes Over 36-story Apartment on Central Park South. . 25 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . .
  15. News: 10 Jun 1933 . Title Firm Buys 35-Story Suites In Plaza Section: Hampshire House, Overlooking Central Park, Taken by the Plaintiff . 36 . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . .
  16. News: 1933-07-06 . $2,383,575 Loss in Sale; Foreclosure on West 59th St. Property Results in Big Deficiency. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219150035/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/07/06/archives/2383575-loss-in-sale-foreclosure-on-west-59th-st-property-results.html . live .
  17. News: 1936-11-12. $1,450,000 Sought to Finish Big Hotel; Mortgage Trustees Ask Court to Sanction Completion of 34-Story Hampshire House.. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-07. 0362-4331. August 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812011300/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/12/archives/1450000-sought-to-finish-big-hotel-mortgage-trustees-ask-court-to.html. live.
  18. News: 1935-09-20 . $24,000,000 Plan Rejected by Court; State Officials' Handling of New York Title & Mortgage Series C-2 Criticized. . en-US . The New York Times . 2021-04-07 . 0362-4331 . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141950/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/20/archives/24000000-plan-rejected-by-court-state-officials-handling-of-new.html . live .
  19. News: 9 Sep 1934 . Idle Realty Cuts, Mortgage Income: Difficulties Cited in Rehabilitation of C-2 Series of New York Title . RE1 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . .
  20. News: 1936-04-07 . 3 Trustees Named for the Series C-2; F.L. Weil, R.J. Scully and W.E. Russell to Reorganize Big New York Title Issue. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219150038/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/07/archives/3-trustees-named-for-the-series-c2-fl-weil-rj-scully-and-we-russell.html . live .
  21. News: 1936-04-09 . Survey Hampshire House; New Mortgage Trustees Seek Basis for Obtaining Income. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219150036/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/09/archives/survey-hampshire-house-new-mortgage-trustees-seek-basis-for.html . live .
  22. News: 2 Aug 1936 . Trustees to Sell Hampshire House . RE1 . The New York Times . 0362-4331 . .
  23. News: 1936-12-01 . Court Favors Sale of Hampshire House; Says the 34-Story Unfinished Building Should Bring Not Less Than $1,000,000 Cash. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219150034/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/01/archives/court-favors-sale-of-hampshire-house-says-the-34story-unfinished.html . live .
  24. News: 31 Dec 1936 . Court Directs Completion of 36-Story Hotel: Hampshire House, on Central Park South, To Be Ready for Use Next Oct . 32 . New York Herald Tribune . 1941-0646 . .
  25. News: 1936-12-31 . Hampshire House to Be Completed; Court Orders the Trustees of Mortgage Certificates to Carry on the Work. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-19 . 0362-4331 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219150037/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/31/archives/hampshire-house-to-be-completed-court-orders-the-trustees-of.html . live .
  26. Book: Chase, W. Parker . New York, the Wonder City . New York Bound . 1983 . 978-0-9608788-2-6 . New York . 142 . 9946323 . 1932 . April 16, 2021 . April 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210416000958/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x000525067&view=1up&seq=146 . live .
  27. February 20, 1971. The New Yorker.
  28. Book: Robins, Anthony. Hampshire House. 150 Central Park South, Inc. 2013. 28.
  29. Peyton. Martha. 2008-01-01. Real Estate Investment Style and Style Purity. Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management. 14. 4. 325–334. 10.1080/10835547.2008.12089815. 1083-5547.
  30. The New Yorker February 27, 1971 Issue. 2021-04-07. The New Yorker. en. April 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210420142932/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1971/02/27. live.
  31. News: April 14, 1937. Advertisement. New York Times.
  32. Book: Record., Architectural. Record houses and apartments of the year.. [McGraw-Hill]. 5282592.
  33. Book: Mackall, Lawton. Knife and fork in New York; where to eat, what to order.. 1949. [Doubleday]. 6442071.
  34. Book: York., Claiborne, Craig. New York times guide to dining out in New. The New York times guide to dining out in New York.. 1972. 1971. Atheneum. 2780465.
  35. News: 1937-10-16. 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. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-07. 0362-4331. March 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310155443/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/10/16/archives/citywide-rentals-listed-by-brokers-long-island-and-westchester.html. live.
  36. News: 1940-01-13. RAY BOLGER LEASES IN HAMPSHIRE HOUSE; Dancer Takes Furnished Suite-- Other Tenancies Listed. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-07. 0362-4331. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141931/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/01/13/archives/ray-bolger-leases-in-hampshire-house-dancer-takes-furnished-suite.html. live.
  37. News: Millstein. Gilbert. 1954-10-03. Mr. Abbott: One-Man Theatre; His formula for 'avoiding boredom' is to be a producer-director-actor-author.. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-07. 0362-4331. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141926/https://www.nytimes.com/1954/10/03/archives/mr-abbott-oneman-theatre-his-formula-for-avoiding-boredom-is-to-be.html. live.
  38. Book: Steven., Sanders, Coyne. Desilu : the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. 2011. It Books. 978-0-06-202001-7. 692291706. April 7, 2021. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141937/https://worldcat.org/title/692291706. live.
  39. Book: Bergman, Ingrid. Ingrid Bergman : my story. 1981. Sphere. 0-7221-1631-4. 16542963.
  40. Book: Barry., Paris. Garbo : a biography. 2002. University of Minnesota Press. 978-0-8166-4182-6. 784293348. April 7, 2021. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141927/https://worldcat.org/title/784293348. live.
  41. Book: Randall., Riese. The unabridged Marilyn : her life from A to Z. 1988. Corgi. 0-552-99308-5. 122329404.
  42. Book: Anthony., Scaduto. Frank Sinatra. 1977. Presses de la Cité. 2-258-00272-9. 77162673. April 7, 2021. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141949/https://worldcat.org/title/77162673. live.
  43. Book: Robins, Anthony. Hampshire House. 150 Central Park South, Inc. 2013. 23.
  44. Book: Douglas., Century. Barney Ross : the Life of a Jewish Fighter.. 2009. Schocken. 978-1-299-18300-1. 842942910.
  45. Book: Jan., Herman. A talent for trouble : the life of Hollywood's most acclaimed director, William Wyler. 1996. Putnam's Sons. 0-399-14012-3. 859028050.
  46. Web site: Garfunkel, Art(hur Ira). 2021-04-07. Grove Music Online. 2014. en. 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.a2262315. Grella. George J.. 9781561592630. June 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180605084653/http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002262315. live.
  47. News: Daley. Arthur. 1951-01-29. Sports of The Times; Golden Girl Completely Altered Sonja Explains Crazy Hours. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-07. 0362-4331. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420141941/https://www.nytimes.com/1951/01/29/archives/sports-of-the-times-golden-girl-completely-altered-sonja-explains.html. live.
  48. News: 1964-04-10. JULIEN ARPELS, 79, HEAD OF GEM FIRM; International Jeweler Dies at Home in New York. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-08-29. 0362-4331. August 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210829024929/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/10/archives/julien-arpels-79-head-of-gem-firm-international-jeweler-dies-at.html. live.

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