Why New York's Most Luxurious Gilded Age Mansion Was Demolished: The Vanderbilt Triple Palace

In the glittering heart of New York City - where ambition touches the sky - the legendary Vanderbilt “Triple Palace” mansion once reigned supreme.
Shining brightly on Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gilded Age - in The Triple Palace’s resplendent halls and opulent rooms - the crème de la crème of high society danced, dined, and whispered secrets - turning this grandiose residence into the pulsating heart of New York's elite.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
1:15 Chapter 1: The Rise of the Vanderbilts
4:41 Chapter 2: Planning and Construction of the Triple Palace
10:16 Chapter 3: The Heyday of the Triple Palace
13:01 Chapter 4: Decline of the Triple Palace and Its Inhabitants
15:49 Chapter 5: Demolition of the Triple Palace and Its Legacy
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In order to best understand both the unimaginable wealth and unspeakable demolition of the “Triple Palace”, we must first get acquainted with its owners.
You see, in the history of America’s “Gilded Age” during the late nineteenth century, the story of William Henry Vanderbilt soon took center stage as his surname became a byword for ambition and architectural grandeur.
The son of Cornelius Vanderbilt, William Henry was born into a world where his father's remarkable journey from a modest farmer to a titan of industry cast a long shadow.
Cornelius - who started with a simple ferry service in New York Harbor - expanded his empire into the realms of maritime trade and later, the burgeoning railroad industry - all the while amassing unparalleled wealth and influence.
Thus, William Henry grew up witnessing his father's relentless pursuit of success - a trait that profoundly shaped his own aspirations and approach to life.
In 1879, William Henry Vanderbilt first began to enliven his vision for what would become “The Triple Palace” by acquiring a prime land lot on the west side of Fifth Avenue - nestled between fifty first and fifty second Streets.
This site - once the domain of sheep farmer Isaiah Keyser and positioned diagonally across from the majestic St. Patrick's Cathedral - came with a significant history and a hefty price tag of five hundred thousand dollars -a figure adjusted downward from its original eight hundred thousand dollar asking price in the aftermath of the Panic of 1873.
However, this strategic acquisition was more than just an investment - it was a statement.
The site's location and its exorbitant cost were reflective of the Vanderbilt family's rising prominence and their commitment to establishing a formidable presence on Fifth Avenue.
And this vision for grandeur was shared by Vanderbilt's elder sons - Cornelius and William Kissam - who were concurrently planning their own stately residences nearby-Cornelius Vanderbilt The Second House, five blocks to the north - and William K. Vanderbilt House, just a block away.
By April 1879, the stage was set as existing tenants on the newly acquired property were vacated, paving the way for Vanderbilt's grand vision.
Now, The Triple Palace - in the eighteen nineties - became synonymous with extravagant events, drawing the elite of New York society. These events were not mere social gatherings but grand spectacles that held the city's attention.
The Vanderbilt Ball - a highlight of this era - was more than a mere party.
It was a magnificent display of wealth and power, changing the dynamics of New York's elite society. It began with a unique hobby-horse quadrille and lasted until the early morning hours - leaving an indelible mark on the attendees and the city's social scene.
And the guest list at these events read like a who's who of the Gilded Age.
Members of the "Four Hundred” - led by Caroline Schermerhorn Astor - graced these events, setting the standards for high society - and their presence not only elevated the status of these gatherings but also reflected the societal hierarchy of the time.
In the early twentieth century, the architectural landscape of New York was undergoing a remarkable transformation.
At the heart of this evolution was the southern half of the Vanderbilt Mansion - a splendid structure that caught the attention of Henry Clay Frick.
A titan in the railroad industry, Frick was no stranger to luxury and prestige - and his interest in the mansion mirrored his ascent in the business world.
It all started in January 1905, when Douglas Robinson of Robinson, Brown, and Company informed Frick of the rental opportunity for this illustrious space.
Seizing the moment, Frick and his wife embarked on an ambitious renovation project - spearheaded by Hunt and Hunt - costing a substantial one hundred thousand dollars at the time.
Their efforts brought modern touches to the mansion - introducing electric lighting and contemporary bathrooms - a clear reflection of their forward-thinking vision.

[@oldmoneymansions]

COMMENT: Do you believe that the city of New York should always save buildings like this of historical significance - or is its demolition just a reflection of the changes of time and how shifts in ownership work naturally?

[@Jim58223]

Can you do a video about mansions in Canada you can still visit? Thanks

[@YiddishMoment]

Billy wanted and arranged for the Triple Mansion to stand permanently! It was his silly offspring who found a way to sell it against his wishes because they had overspent and were greedy for the money. William, like the Commodore, had predicted that his descendants would squander the money and lose it. George Vanderbilt ran-out of funds while building Biltmore. Billy Vanderbilt's sisters and their marriages and lives were more interesting than that of his children. Frederick Vanderbilt wound-up being the richest of all his brothers and sisters, as he had managed the family businesses and was not a squanderer.

[@lisamann8521]

In a "perfect world", I would always say to save these beautiful homes. It's a shame that we don't live in a perfect world 😐

[@patricksmith2274]

Yes these buildings should be saved. All across Europe and Africa there's buildings and monuments that were saved. America has destroyed too much history for progress. Even Mexico has buildings from the past preserved.

[@maryellenshock]

Tough call. The guided age is long past. The building s are beautiful, but they show an opulence that the average American couldn't even dream of ! I've been to Biltmore mansion and was overwhelmed by the opulence! Private bowling alleys, swimming pools, weight room - etc.beautiful house (don't get me wrong) I just don't get it .

[@mj1961christian]

I’m a preservationist at heart. Anything like this should be preserved, not only to admire, but to be reminded of the foolishness of the fleeting excesses in life.

[@pmm3112]

It’s a shame to destroy such magnificent structures as in the day these palaces were adorned with architectural elements which were fashioned by many sought after artisans from Europe who did everything by hand. I used to work at 650 5th Avenue which sits right at E. 52nd St. so to think of the actual location with respect to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center and Central Park is significant, but today is bustling and noisy as the center of midtown Manhattan! I can’t imagine what that location was like back at the turn of the century. It’s a shame to lose such splendor in architectural design and too bad they didn’t think of saving it by way of building a skyscraper inside it like the same way the Palace Hotel on Madison Avenue was saved.

[@j1st633]

Born and raised in the upper West side, and went to Hunter college, I frequented the Frick co!lection. One word. Wow! The former mansion is indeed a sight to see. It will certainly give one an idea of what life for these individuals was like.

[@user-sg6ji2kk3u]

I’ve seen many videos online of various intricately constructed mansions and estates constructed with painstaking detail particularly on the inside with lavish entryways , winding staircases and lavish chandeliers and woods. Elaborate rooms and furnishings . Opulence that after time was vacated and left to decline or was subject to demolition . Such beauty simply demolished to make for for a high rise or apartment building . A crying bloody shame if you ask me 😮😳😠

[@jbrunch8082]

All cities should try to preserve the historically valuable buildings if possible. Obviously you can't preserve everything and the old has to make room for the new, but some things need to be saved.

[@thomastoler2397]

Yes, save the buildings for future generations to see how some lived in a bygone era. Such a waste to let the go to waste.

[@aimeefriedman822]

I'll never forget an interview where Anderson Cooper stand that when he was a boy, his mother would show him all the statues and monuments dedicated to or by his family. He couldn't actually grasp that he was related to this statue or "that statue is your Great Great Uncle...". So Anderson theorized (rather ingeniously) that WHEN YOU DIE, YOU TURN INTO A STATUE!...afterall, that's what seemed to happen to all HIS relatives! I just thought that was great.

[@HORSEYANIME2024]

Pls mention other historical mansions in other uS states that were demolished

[@healthyamerican]

it took a hundred years for people to realize they wanted to live that way afterall

[@jenniferjones3408]

It’s a shame that we don’t care about saving history anymore.

[@NewRon2003us]

Wish it had been saved or copied

[@leannegoins9173]

I have never understood why America is so quick destructive to these beautiful historic sites 😢😢😢😢

[@oldmoneymansions]

😢

[@markduncan1477]

They’d tear down the Acropolis if it were in America

[@oldmoneymansions]

😂

[@johnkristich3764]

NOTHING HAS CHANGEND

[@maryellenshock]

Money can't buy happiness - look at Gloria Vanderbilt -poor little rich girl who made a name with her designer jeans and other products! I had a couple of her jeans - the woman knew how to fit a woman's body/butt into a pair of jeans! She was the first one ( I believe) to put her name on your butt!

[@christophera.turner3394]

Yes NY should have

[@WyomingGuy876]

Wealth, status, vanity and self-importance. Pure hedonism.

[@jamessullivan9992]

what a waste, our rail network is still substandard because of these fools.