1 East 91st Street, The Otto Kahn Mansion

Possibly the best surviving Fifth Avenue mansion, the Otto Kahn Mansion at 1 East 91st Street is certainly one of the largest, containing nearly 80 rooms.  Designed by C.P.H. Gilbert and J. Armstrong Stenhouse, the house has an archeological correctness to it that was unusual for the period.  Constructed over a four year period from… Continue reading

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Originally known at the Central Park Reservoir, this now-decommissioned reservoir covers 104 acres and holds over 1 million gallons of water.  Designed in 1858 as part of the original plan of Central Park, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir still provides water for the Harlem Meer and is a vast natural ecological sanctuary, hosting over 20… Continue reading

The John Purroy Mitchel Memorial, 91st Street and Fifth Avenue

This unusual work honors the memory of John Purroy Mitchel, who, upon taking office in 1914 at the age of 34, was and remains New York City’s youngest elected mayor.  A noted reformer famed for his personal honesty, Mitchel joined the army after failing to win reelection and died in a training mishap: news of… Continue reading

2 East 91st Street, The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum

One of the most remarkable survivors on Fifth Avenue, 2 East 91st Street, the Andrew Carnegie Mansion, was designed by Babb, Cook & Willard for Andrew Carnegie, who requested “The most modest, plainest and roomiest house in New York.”  One may assume that Mr. Carnegie was speaking ironically as the house is one of the… Continue reading

Church of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Avenue & 90th Street

An austere but compelling design, the 1929 Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest is the first religious structure on Fifth Avenue north of Temple Emanu-El, 25 blocks south.  Completed by the firm of Mayers, Murray & Phillip, successors to the great Bertram Goodhue, the church was erected on a site sold by Andrew Carnegie with… Continue reading