Скачать или смотреть The Dark Story of Villard Houses: Power, Decline, and Corporate Takeover [1885–1970s]

The Dark Story of Villard Houses: Power, Decline, and Corporate Takeover [1885–1970s]
Step behind the iron gates of Madison Avenue to uncover the haunting history of the Villard Houses, a six-mansion complex that redefined New York City’s Gilded Age. Built in 1882 for railroad tycoon Henry Villard, this Italian Renaissance masterpiece was born from immense wealth but quickly became a monument to shattered dreams and corporate warfare.

In this deep dive, we explore:

The Rise & The Ruin: How Henry Villard commissioned the "Starchitects" of the era, McKim, Mead & White, to create a neo-Italian palazzo, only to go bankrupt and lose his fortune just months before the house was finished.

Architectural Defiance: A look inside the "Gold Room" and the stunning courtyard design that broke the traditional New York row-house mold, blending European royalty with American industrial power.

The Era of Transition: The story of how these elite private homes survived the decline of the Gilded Age, serving as the headquarters for the Catholic Archdiocese and surviving the rapid commercialization of Midtown Manhattan.

The Corporate Takeover: The dramatic 1970s showdown where real estate mogul Harry Helmsley (and his infamous wife Leona) fought to build a 51-story skyscraper over the landmarked site, turning the historic mansions into the grand entrance of the New York Palace Hotel.

Legacy of the "Mask": An analysis of one of the most controversial preservation battles in history—where the shells of private homes were saved, but their souls were claimed by the relentless march of the modern city.

Experience a story of architectural genius, the volatility of the American Dream, and the cold reality of New York real estate where power is the only currency that lasts.
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