The Cornelius Vanderbilt II House - though fresh - was on its way to becoming the largest private home in the U.S. - expanding by absorbing neighboring brownstones.

However, the residence - this American palace - would stand for less than 50 years.

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Why New York’s Most Opulent Mansion Was Demolished (Charles M. Schwab Mansion): [ Ссылка ]

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:43 1. The Creators of The Cornelius Vanderbilt II Mansion
3:32 2. Construction and Interiors of The Cornelius Vanderbilt II Mansion
6:23 3. Life Inside the Mansion
8:09 4. Decline and Demolition

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The story of the Cornelius Vanderbilt II Mansion, an iconic symbol of New York's opulence during the Gilded Age, is a fascinating journey through history, art, and social glamour. Nestled at 1 West 57th Street, this magnificent edifice stands as a reflection of the Vanderbilt family's immense wealth, ambition, and prestige.

Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife Alice, epitomizing the pinnacle of society's elite, settled into their vast Fifth Avenue mansion in 1882. The mansion, a stunning piece of French Château architecture, would become the largest private home in the U.S. and represent a shimmering beacon of the Gilded Age. From extravagant balls to luxurious interiors, the mansion was a statement of affluence and taste.

Sadly, this American palace would stand for less than 50 years. Demolished to make space for the Bergdorf Goodman department store, the mansion's demise serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of grandeur.

1. The Creators of The Cornelius Vanderbilt II Mansion:

Dive into the resplendent history of the Vanderbilt family, whose fortune rooted in shipping and railroads, rose to eminence during the Gilded Age. Unravel the intriguing dynamics of this powerful family, from the shrewd patriarch Cornelius Vanderbilt I to the extravagant Cornelius Vanderbilt II.

2. Construction and Interiors of The Mansion:

Explore the construction of the mansion, commissioned by Cornelius II and Alice, and designed by renowned architects George B. Post and Richard Morris Hunt. Revel in the description of the luxurious 130-room interior, adorned by the artistic marvels of French design firm Jules Allard and Sons.

3. Life Inside the Mansion:

Discover the vivid life within the mansion's stately walls, a canvas illustrating the family's illustrious standing. From grand soirees to the daily existence of Alice and Cornelius, uncover the finely tuned ballet of managing immense fortune and social status.

4. Decline and Demolition:

Trace the complex story of the mansion's decline, woven with familial and societal shifts. Understand how time and progress led to the sale and ultimate demolition of the mansion, and how Alice Vanderbilt's final acts sought to preserve pieces of its grandeur.

Join us at Old Money Mansions for a visual and historical feast as we delve into the remarkable story of one of New York's grandest Gilded Age mansions. Witness the luxury, explore the artistry, and understand why the Cornelius Vanderbilt II Mansion remains an iconic testament to a bygone era. From the Vanderbilt Ball of 1883 to the architecture that defined an age, experience a glimpse of the world that once was.

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