This is the second in a series inspired by The New York Public Library's Digital Collection's The World's Loose Leaf Album of Apartment Houses. Printed in 1910, this album was a reference guide used by developers and real estate agents to promote apartment buildings to future tenants.
The Upper West Side has many elegant apartment buildings. But none have the sordid history and general bad behavior that has occurred in the Ansonia. Just a couple of examples:
Architect sent packing to an insane asylum...check.
Farm animals on the roof...check.
Plan to fix the Baseball World Series...check.
Owner that allowed the building to rot...check.
Sex Club in the basement...double check. (Two different clubs but located in the same location, the basement pool.)
Yes, the Ansonia has literally seen it all. Let's dive into the unbelievable but true history
New York Public Library Digital Collection
William Earl Dodge Stokes was the black sheep of his family, but this never dissuaded his questionable behavior. When his father died in 1881, Stokes sued his family to the tune of a million dollars and promptly left the family business (copper mining, clocks, and mercantile) to be a property developer. In 1889, Stokes hired the French architect, Paul Duboy to build a resplendent hotel where the guests could extend their stay indefinitely. Not long after Duboy created plans for the Ansonia, Stokes demoted him to a draftsman. It was rumored that Duboy went back to France in disgrace and was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Thus, the rumor of Duboy entering a mental asylum on his return to his homeland.*
New York Public Library Digital Collection
Stokes wanted full control of the planning, building, and construction of the Ansonia. He had grand ideas and he was not going to be deterred. When the residential hotel opened in 1903, it had over 1000 hotel rooms, several restaurants, a grand ballroom, and a pool in the basement. It also had a small farm on its roof with 500 chickens. Reportedly, the bellhop delivered fresh eggs to guests daily.**
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
However, the New York Department of Health was not amused by the rooftop farm. The animals were evicted and relocated to Central Park in 1907.
There is plenty of hearsay associated with the Ansonia. One involves a player-only meeting to fix the 1919 World Series. The Chicago White Sox first baseman Arnold Gandil indeed lived in the Ansonia. What is debated is that Gandil tried to recruit his teammates to throw the World Series in return for a significant amount of cash. This initial meeting supposedly set in motion the Black Sox Scandal that would ban these players from ever playing professional baseball again.
During the Great Depression, the Ansonia was closed as a hotel. The suites were reconfigured, and kitchens were added. The grand hotel now rented apartments.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
After four decades, the Stokes family sold the Ansonia. It would eventually be bought by Jake Starr. He had no interest in renovating or improving the building. In fact, Starr threatened to have the Ansonia torn down. The Ansonia was too much trouble and the land that it sat on was too valuable. But the residents banded together to get landmark status for the exterior. In 1972, the Ansonia was added to the register of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. In 1980, Ansonia was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
To make up for his lost income, Starr rented the abandoned swimming pool to a former opera star, Steve Ostrow. He created the Continental Baths, a combination of cabaret and hook-up bar. Ostrow had a way of finding upcoming talent. Bette Midler (with Barry Manilow accompanying her on piano) performed here! Eventually, the Continental Baths fell out of favor causing it to close. A new business leased the basement which was sketchier than the hook-up joint. Plato's Retreat opened in the mid-70s as a swinger's club that included a 50-person jacuzzi, mattresses on the floor, and free booze to members. When the Ansonia was sold after Jake Starr's death, Plato's Retreat was paid a million dollars to vacate the basement.*
Elegran Real Estate
After years of neglect, the Ansonia was renovated and repaired to bring it back to its original glory. It was converted to condominiums in 1990. The building designed in the Beaux Art style, looks like it should be in 7th arrondissements in Paris. Seeming out of place in the Upper West Side but that is exactly what makes it so grand. Nowadays, it is an exclusive residence with apartments selling for millions.
What to know more? Here's a good place to start:
Sources:
*Steven Gaines via New York Magazine The Ups and Downs of The Ansonia, The Building that Made the Upper West Side - Nymag
Photographs:
Top photograph: New York Public Library Digital Collection