What Happened to William Vanderbilt's Triple Palace in Manhattan?

William Vanderbilt didn't have the largest mansion in his family, but he certainly had the most interesting. Hear the story of the Triple Palace as we explore 3 mansions under one roof.
Location: Manhattan, New York
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What Happened to William Vanderbilt's Triple Palace in Manhattan?
• What Happened to Willi...
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Fair-use Photos from: The Met: Watson Library Digital Collections, Mr. Vanderbilt's House and Collection libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/dig...
John Butler Snook (1815-1901), ca. 1837. Oil on canvas: 30 x 25 1/4 in. ( 76.2 x 64.1 cm ). New-York Historical Society, 1971.6.
Mausoleum photo by Bobby Kelley
Music by Epidemic Sound
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Music by Epidemic Sound

[@giantsizegeek]

When we visited Europe, we wondered why we saw so many great buildings with wonderful design. We asked, why don’t we have these in the United States? The answer: they existed at one point, but they were demolished!

[@Rimrock300]

The United State is a bit more than Millionares Row in Manhattan) Hopefully

[@elyenidacevedo1995]

Yeah most of the mansions that are still here are probably hidden.

[@astralenlightenment1743]

@@elyenidacevedo1995 what do you mean hidden?? May you deeply elaborated please?

[@trismegistus2881]

Europe used to have a lot more beautiful buildings, too. A lot was destroyed in WW2, and then after the war in the 1960s and 1970s.

[@TheRelger]

Ya it’s a shame. In Canada we had many beautiful mansions but Canadians don’t maintain old buildings. They tear them down and build huge ugly boxes.

[@kenziej4301]

Great craftsmanship is never “out-dated”

[@luislaplume8261]

That is why back in the 1960s when we went to Manhattan and walked around what took my interest was the old buildings we passed by. The tall office buildings were nothing but tall glass boxes. Such was the way it was about modern architecture during the Mad Men era. I was a boy at that time and we went by subway and got off at 47th Street Rockefeller Center station on the 6th Avenue subway. Fastest way to get there.

[@worldsurfer1]

Yes, but lack of income taxes do become “out-dated.” #Taxtherich

[@paulashe61]

When you say old?

[@paulashe61]

Trouble these aren’t. Confections of stone and gilt.

[@jiheemvohor9720]

This story makes you understand the reason for historic landmarks, and why these beautiful old buildings shouldn't be demolished.

[@MsLogjam]

If William hadn't demanded that the house not be sold, it might have gone to someone or a group of someones who were in a position to maintain it. While houses like this seems ridiculously indulgent for a private family, they did give many crafters, builders, and designers a chance to showcase their abilities and create a work of art that could have been a beautiful school, apartment building, or museum if it were still standing.

[@kenziej4301]

I wish we could’ve kept all these castles and palaces and manor homes today

[@anacletwilliams8315]

Yes, but we didn't.

[@alfredonski]

the most impressive part is the garbage which they were substituted for. These modern buildings with their brutalist style is depressing.

[@mexifry222]

They'd just end up owned by super rich people and you'd never get to enjoy them beside salivating from outside.

[@bellaggio1770]

@@alfredonski No kidding mate, this palace was spectacular, a pleasure for the yes, and it was replaced by a hideous, soulless bunker.

[@dandiehm8414]

@@mexifry222 But at least they would exist.

[@KatyWatson173]

I went to school in Connecticut in an old Vanderbilt mansion and my mom worked with a Vanderbilt descendant in Pennsylvania.

[@virginiaeckley3047]

Absolutely Gorgeous, sad that it was demolished

[@monumentstosuffering2995]

How lovely were their dwelling places. Perfect taste. Those who built America. A tragic loss.

[@bellaggio1770]

What a monumental waste to destroy a fabulous home! It hurts to know that all of this incredible work of art is demolished and replaced by a concrete block.

[@migueltor6434]

Wonderfully marvelous mansions. Black and white photos don't do theses justice.

[@carlfrano6384]

Wonderful video. It's tragic the way our forebearers had a complete disregard for our architectural heritage.

[@denizalgazi]

In NY, they still do! Except now they build cheap design towers without any exemplary architectural ornamentation to avoid a landmark listing so they can be torn down in 30 to 40 years. Chicago does the opposite and cheap looking towers won't get approved by the city which is why that city has a magnificent skyline!

[@lisarandleman6141]

This was a private home that only stood 65 years. Hardly qualifies for heritage status. My opinion.

[@jam6636]

@@lisarandleman6141 65 years is a lot for a country with less than 300 years of history.

[@fd9987]

These mansions are, sadly, unsustainable. They simple can’t generate enough money in an adaptive reuse to meet expenses. Can you imagine the heating bill?

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

@@fd9987 -- But what ultimately brought about the end was the leftists and their high taxes in NYC...

[@jeremymarsh1377]

George Vanderbilt built the Biltmore House in Asheville NC. It was started in 1889 and finished in 1895. Been there many times and it is the biggest mansion home in the U.S.

[@christians.7019]

Another beautiful day of This House😁

[@twistoffate4791]

I could never be a part of any crew demolishing such a beautiful home. I could not destroy the exemplary work of all the highly-skilled craftsmen who created the best parts.

[@mariocisneros911]

In every other country but ours , they preserve architectural masterpieces. Here the construction companies and money are too strong to restore them . They rather spend more and tear them down. Just look south in Mexico for an example of how they are preserved

[@jacobkudrowich]

@@mariocisneros911 who's the decider for what is and what isn't an architectural masterpiece?

[@brendangriffin8895]

It’s sad. There’s an old all boys school near me called St.Paul’s it was built in the mid 1800s and is beautiful but falling apart because no one’s protecting it eventually it’ll be knocked down

[@twistoffate4791]

@@brendangriffin8895 I hate to hear this. There must be a use for the building. Sounds like it deserves to be preserved. I wish preservation groups had more money.

[@angelsoulnme]

I think it is very suspect what has been destroyed and demolished in this country

[@msallegrad]

I would love to see the architect's houses. I'm pretty sure they were extremely wealthy men with beautiful homes.

[@chinoman7234]

I toured this house before it was torn down. Very impressive

[@annettepora8091]

When you think that buildings in Europe are esteemed for their heritage and how we dishonor ours is appalling.

[@toddjohnson7133]

We simply did not and do not understand the value of history. We will never see grandeur like this again...ever!

[@ncexnyc4466]

The woke crowd of today would never let these magnificent structures stand. They'd find some way to complain about how these individuals made their fortunes and hence how they should be removed from sight. Some of my fondest memories as a child growing up in NYC come from my visits to the Museum of Natural History. It's so sad to see how the woke crowd attacked this fine institution.

[@undomiel152003]

@@ncexnyc4466 It is not the woke crowd of today, it is simply the question, who is going to pay for the repair work and upkeep of these mansions when even the owners themselves do not or can not afford them? Are you willing to pay higher taxes in order for the gvt to take ownership and do the repair and maintenance necessary to keep them being safe and beautiful?

[@malbers35]

@@undomiel152003 Wrong... It's woke ignorant liberals.

[@robertwoodpa6463]

@@ncexnyc4466 You are quite correct. In Germany the communists tore down a lot of history after ww2 because they opposed what the monuments (houses, palaces) stood for and today they oppose reconstructions of the stunning monuments they tore down. Communists = woke Woke=communists.

[@lookoutforchris]

@@undomiel152003 many of these types of homes have been successfully converted to museums. It's a shame more we're not saved.

[@kertmustapha2367]

What a shame to lose such a masterpiece.

[@NoGoodHandlesComingToMind]

Super inspiring, thanks for posting!

[@patriciahill4492]

It's upsetting to hear of so many beautiful mansions being demolished for modern ugly buildings or even very expensive plain apartments. History done away with, forever. Sad 😔

[@amochswohntet99]

Ya, if you want to build something that won't be demolished you have to build it away from large cities

[@moby1017]

If ever on Broadway in San Francisco you can see an example of just this. A beautiful row of mansions ruined by the eye sore Larry Ellison (Oracle) has there.

[@tonyincs]

A prefect example of why we know so little about our past.

[@michaelgraham7106]

The Vanderbilt Mausoleum is in the woods behind the neighborhood I grew up in on Staten Island. Spent many years exploring the surrounding woods and grounds of the mausoleum.

[@doberman1ism]

Cornelius Vanderbilt went on to build the magnificent 75 room summer cottage. The Italian Renaissance Villa The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island.

[@stephaniemontor1567]

Incredible!

[@iwantthe80sback59]

Same with W. C. Clark mansion. Great book written about it called Empty Mansions. Clark-Newell & Dedman authors.

[@briggitelondon]

One of the best houses ever. Truly timeless.

[@stenbak88]

Definitely a dream of mine. I love how families lived together yet apart

[@pinkyjay1881]

What a shame that the house wasn’t maintained, that was the way back then, out with old, but the stories the history live on far longer than the people! Thank you! Enjoyed that!

[@burtonlee22]

I grew up knowing ’Aunt Helen’, who was the daughter of Henry Clay Frick. She was my grandmother’s best friend.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

What was she like? Did she talk about the past at all?

[@brenell1273]

The detail and great craftsmanship of these mansions would be greatly appreciated today.

[@stephaniemontor1567]

Wow! So wish we still had these great monuments to the people who helped make America. I would of loved to have had a tour. Thank you for the lovely presentation.

[@lj5801]

It may have been the last of the Vanderbilt mega-mansions. 647 5th Avenue was built for George Vanderbilt (sold to Willie K in 1905) , and it is still standing. It currently houses the Versace store.

[@bethbartlett5692]

I didn't realize this, great share.

[@billolsen4360]

It looks good!

[@webnerethan3997]

Donde puedo ver fotos?

[@claudiocavaliere856]

Absolutely fascinating! The art collection was breathtaking! The houses were magnificent! Good taste at its best! What a pleasure to see ! Congratulations!

[@greyjanna]

I’m so glad your channel popped up in my recommended… I have a soft spot for the Gilded Age, especially the opulence of their homes. Sadly, Most are gone Thank You for this video and posting this type of content… I am a fan

[@marquiesriley6479]

Biltmore mansion is ridiculously huge....i was shocked that vanderbilt used it as a residence...😅

[@alchemist6098]

Have you looked at the summer home of Henry Twombly and Florence Vanderbilt.? It is in Madison, NJ and is now the main building of the Morris County campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. There are plenty of archive pictures in the university’s collection.

[@mattwalter6207]

Its kinda amazing the Vanderbilt house got demolished but the Frick house stayed and is a museum now. Would've been cool to have them both. A lot of the mansions in Newport were on the chopping block from the 40s to 60s too. Good thing the Vanderbilt one is still there

[@jonathanraven5939]

Absolutely magnificent

[@Jakereviewsall]

I always love seeing things like this, I truly admire some of these works of art built a long time ago. I would never want to own something so grand myself but I do wish they didnt get demolished.

[@LS-jh7lb]

What were they thinking tearing down these gorgeous buildings and giving the furnishings to Hollywood for props? I can only imagine the cost of the furnishings were in the tens of thousands. I wonder what happened to that bronze carved door?

[@loriboufford6342]

Sir, you do a stellar narration along with your guidance. Thank you.

[@tshampoo7762]

It’s criminal that these houses were demolished.

[@Gypsymom08]

A real shame to demolish such a landmark home. I live in NC and have visited the Biltmore house many times. Now my 29 year old daughter is enamored with it as well.

[@vori18]

What a shame! They should have been declared landmarks and preserved.

[@tammyc7898]

My word you are definitely a story teller, love your Channel, keep them coming, hugs from Indiana

[@ghettomist1575]

My college was a Vanderbilt mansion. Beautiful place but the college stripped a lot of the furniture, and hasn’t really preserved it.

[@annonymously331]

Actually there may be another reason why William decided to go with brownstone: he does roughly 13 years after he inherited his father’s fortune and was already declining in health when he started work on the mansion so he probably wanted to finish the mansion more quickly and decided not to import limestone and use locally sourced brownstone instead.

[@creativo4ever564]

Wow, I never realized these structures survived so far into the 20th Century. Most of that area of 5th Avenue had long ago been converted to commercial usage and was so zoned. Most of the other mansions had been sold off in the twenties and thirties so that these structures continued to be residences into the Second World War is a revelation to me.

[@billolsen4360]

Glad nobody decided to put up a new St Patrick's Cathedral

[@lindawoody8501]

This demonstrates the issue that Anderson Cooper has discussed about where most of the Vanderbilt fortune went.

[@Renould2010]

Gorgeous home, Great data on this great Family, 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💎👑

[@Gizathecat2]

Those mansions were over the top! I wonder how it could have been carved up into separate luxury condos?

[@patricialong5767]

Now this is simply amazing!

[@ImprovementGang]

Beauty should be kept or at least revived somehow in any city. It seems much more important to have art in my life as I keep getting older

[@popstarrocker420]

It’s truly a sad story!! It should have been protected for generations to be enjoyed!! There are millions of gems of properties and treasures of all arts have been lost to the cracks of time!! Sad indeed!! 😔

[@creativo4ever564]

It wasn't the cracks of time....it was the costs, period. Armies of servants are expensive to say nothing of maintenance. There are just not enough people willing to spend that much to maintain such a structure, at least not as a residence..

[@njhawk89]

This is a great in depth history of the triple palace; really well done and engaging! to read about the families who lived here, a book that covers this is called "Fortune's Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt." Amazing history of this period and family!

[@cathyreardon8979]

Love any info on the Vanderbilts🥰. Love your videos 🥰.

[@rare.phukin.spotted.halibut]

It's a shame when a "one of a kind" structure is demolished, especially when so much work, and care went into it.

[@claudiocavaliere856]

Absolutely fascinating! Sad that they don’t exist anymore!

[@angelbulldog4934]

Biltmore Estate, another Vanderbilt property, is about two-and-a-half hours west of me. I've been there a few times and it's possibly the most impressive place I've ever seen. But then, they had the money.

[@lisalibeer7824]

Thanks for sharing this video. Interesting information. Still so sad their mansions are all gone out of New York. The Biltmore is sooooo beautiful!

[@cindybogart6062]

Unfortunately, so many wonderful structures were destroyed in the name of progress. We have lost such beautiful heritage for our cities. Gorgeous buildings. 💫

[@greensam7074]

Sad end to a beautiful and historic home

[@Gunslinger1875]

The simple elegance of a time, modern society is to simple to understand. We are so Roman inclined . To just see it! My god. A splendor in the grass.

[@cassandraralph5906]

Very interesting and educational video! I learned a lot today about the Vanderbilt family and their houses! Biltmore Mansion is still standing, and still visited by many tourists today. It would have been one of the places I would have liked to see.

[@ravenzyblack]

The Biltmore is still the largest privately owned estate in the United States. My mom visited it last year. I’m hoping to go myself in a year or so. I have family moving to Florida so want to go there too. I’ve never visited the South Eastern part of the U.S.

[@ashazakeya6110]

One of the best times to visit is during Christmas.

[@nancymoore8026]

Nice voice with all encompassing in information. Thank you. 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@michaelanielsen7679]

My heart breaks….what a loss

[@boboneill6554]

The houses did not last because the families could not afford to keep them. Same will happen to the current crop of mega mansions.

[@hibarahautecouture9571]

Not the reason at all

[@craftpaint1644]

Lots of abandoned mega homes out there, feels like thousands I've seen on urbex channels.

[@hibarahautecouture9571]

Know I know better than that!

[@boboneill6554]

@hibara haute couture. Fine. Tell us what you think.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Wow, such impressive mansions!!! Thanks for sharing this informative video!!! 👍👍

[@plasmasun]

What a magical time/era.

[@narmale]

as a 15 year foreman of construction jobs... 50 million dollars wouldn't begin to touch this to recreate now not counting the art and furniture... just the house... best guess would be closer to probably 700 MILLION

[@itschelseakay]

It’s absolutely heartbreaking this gorgeous building was demolished and a high rise was put in it’s place. I believe Henry Frick is the founder of the Frick Collection. It’s a shame he wasn’t able to successfully buy the building. Maybe things would have been different.

[@ejcostin3070]

Thank you for another spectacular video This was an amazing place. I wonder where the art collection is.

[@twistoffate4791]

Let's hope the collection went to a museum.

[@SpanishEclectic]

These "What Happened To" videos are so interesting! That Japanese inspired room was fantastic. The interior decoration in the mansions was incredible, if a bit heavy-handed for later tastes. When you can afford so many rooms, why not make each one an experience? Glad that images of those rooms have been preserved, as well as the original artwork. Artists throughout history have depended on wealthy benefactors. I'd be curious to know which famous paintings currently housed in museums are from that collection.

[@jamesdugan3079]

Love the photos, so fascinating. I toured the Frick mansion once years ago.

[@charlesclager6808]

Another great, detailed story of one of the notable buildings in NYC. I love your videos. Keep them coming.

[@amandahirschfeld7382]

Such Beautiful propertys.

[@LeatherQueen]

Ken, Your channel is amazing and I really enjoy watching all the videos. Hopefully, you will feature the Marble House, The Breaker and many other Newport, RI, historical mansions. Thank you for educating and entertaining all of us!!! 👍👍👍

[@eslovia]

I love your videos and histories. Do you know, in Buenos Aires we have a lot of Incredibles palaces and houses with amazing stories!

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

I love the styles of urban design/building in Buenos Aires!

[@dancedose9684]

Such a great and informative video. Thank you for this little treasure.

[@hapilee5844]

Thank you for all your hard work!! Excellent job!!

[@jeanniemesserschmidtz1954]

Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@jons.6216]

From movies and television as a kid I always had this perception that mansions were usually on large parcels of property and it wasn't until the first television show I can remember that depicted the structures right down on a city street of "Angie" with Robert Hayes and Donna Pescow that they registered in my mind.

[@brokenglass849]

Great video Ken, it's extremely informative. This is the first time I've seen interior shots - glorious, and no surprise. I had read that William expressed that he was very unhappy in his house. He stated that his wife and daughters were very demanding and difficult to satisfy. He was quoted as saying he'd wished he didn't have such wealth. How nice that he tried to share his art with the general public...too bad they had no manners LOL.

[@iwishiknew10]

I have toured a large number of these early 1900's mansions and they are absolutely amazing. i love the testament of craftsman ship and vision, but the issue is sustainability. these types of homes are not sustainable as livable residences and is why they end up being sold off for a song and turned into museums in hopes to pay for their own existence.

[@Rimrock300]

They were more like big monuments, 'movie staging', to show off in the middle of town in an outmust desperate urge to be a part of the 'elite' In a time when you could pay your 37 staff 50 US a day in all, while you self made 10.000 a day, it was crazy money some of these early industrialists and bankiers were able to made in a time when things were not so well organized/controlled by the officials yet. In the end many of these monuments had done their job

[@Susie_Floozie]

Fascinating stuff. Thanks for this amazing historical walk-through.

[@p.mckenzie2921]

What a wonderful video. I would like for you to do Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney‘s home on Long Island. Have a good week and stay safe.😘🤗

[@axnyslie]

I believe this was the inspiration for the Russell's mansion in the HBO show The Gilded Age.

[@Porsche996driver]

Great story. Sadly these kind of ego projects stretch on so long that they can lose their intended meaning and value. Thanks for sharing this!

[@j1st633]

Born and raised in Manhattan on the Upper West Side. Since you mentioned the Trick manison, I visited the Frick mansion on 5th Ave. On several occasions. It is now a museum of fine art. You should profile it.

[@pashvonderc381]

Love the UWS..

[@garryferrington811]

Interesting that even then, mansions were excluding gardens or open spaces and becoming hermetic. You can see the same thing today in the Hollywood hills as older houses with outside pools and citrus trees are being flattened for giant blocks covering every inch of land. I suppose when you get enough money, you try to have as little to do with the outside world as possible.

[@frankcarey9567]

Love the vids keep up the great work!

[@Kodakcompactdisc]

Fascinating 👍🏻

[@DSGNflorian]

The Gilded Age robber baron mansions were, by and large (and there was no "small"), oversized, overdone and overwrought. And absolutely wonderful! Despite being a hyper-ornate orgy of decorating and embellishing, this one doesn't look nearly as out of place or insufferably kitschy as some of today's zillionaire McMansions in Florida or California. Perhaps it was the substance of materials and craftsmanship that gave it that "gravitas"....

[@rlagtapo]

The Gilded Age tycoons were simply copying the palaces and manor houses they saw during their tours of Europe.

[@richiesd1]

Oh, you just like old fashioned stuff

[@jpmnky]

Agreed, but it’s not just those monstrosities. The destruction of what’s left of out rural land is what kills me. They’re putting in entire subdivisions of those thrown together “thirty year homes” anywhere there’s a spot for them. I’m a Lexington, KY native, and forty years old. This has been going on my entire lifetime. And long before that. My home county and the surrounding counties are going through the same thing. At least with the wealthier neighborhoods they’re putting in golf courses, which saves a little bit of the natural landscape. I currently live 15 miles from the nearest town. There’s investors snooping around where I live right now trying to buy up properties to develop on.

[@richardwesley3564]

@@jpmnky , if you want to see the ultimate end to what all that land redevelopment can look come visit the northern part of my home state, New Jersey. The State nickname is, "Garden State," coined because of the abundance of farms and the produce that once grew here. Today, those farms are largely gone, paved over to make roads, build subdivisions and corporate campuses. We should be called, "The Office State" because that's what we have more of than anything. I hope Kentucky never sees its lands paved over the way northern New Jersey has become.

[@TK0_23_]

@@richardwesley3564 Yeah. Those people should've just moved to Canada or something.

[@wessebaggers]

so sad but a beautiful home

[@racheldianeames3729]

please do more videos on historic mansions in the U.S.

[@lilybean1000]

And remember, the Vanderbilts were snubbed by the “400” in New York society. They were considered “less than” by the Astors, etc.

[@philosopher1a]

Sad such a marvelous building was demolished

[@eastmanwebb5477]

I appreciate these videos. I look forward to watching more of them, and I’m glad I subscribed.

[@markanthonymarla]

I WISH '' WE'' future generations could have been privy, to see these MAGNIFICENT MASIONS IN PERSON !!! .... I wish some one of that day ... could have seen the future implication from a Historical view point .... These treasures are lost for ever ... if only they could have been endowed to the city, or placed under the Monuments protective clause ... Thank goodness for this Amazing info channel ....

[@lorrettabrunelle713]

That's to bad it was a beautiful home love the architect awesome 👍 back then would love to have black and white pictures of the house

[@ckallen1546]

What a shame it was destroyed. It must have been lovely to see.

[@lavrentichudakoff2519]

What a shame to lose all those treasures in architecture.