In 1914, a group of artists—including
Walter Russell,
Frank DuMond,
Willard Metcalf, and
Penrhyn Stanlaws[3][4][5]—paid $250,000 to buy a parcel of land on the west side of Central Park with the plans of building Hotel des Artistes.[6][7] At the outset, they planned to erect a 20-story building where 10 stories would be dedicated to artists' studio space and the other 10 would be dedicated to apartments.[6]
Designed by George Mort Pollard, when it opened in 1917, the Hotel des Artistes boasted a large swimming pool, grand ballrooms, rooftop squash courts, a gym, and a restaurant.[5] Apartments had as many as six rooms apiece, and many of the units featured 20-foot lofted ceilings. Kitchens were small, as tenants were able to use their dumbwaiters to receive meals prepared in a kitchen on the second floor.[8] The building is also noted for its pastoral floor-to-ceiling paintings by
Howard Chandler Christy, one of its earliest residents.[9]
In 1970, the building transformed into a full co-operative after a new owner purchased it. Several longtime tenants were evicted after a lengthy court battle.[10]
In 1975, violinist turned restaurateur
George Lang took over the run-down ground-floor cafe and renovated it, bringing in new diners. Lang and his wife Gloria ran
Cafe des Artistes until 2009, when they decided to close it during the recession.[11] In 2011, it reopened under new management as the Leopard at des Artistes.[11]
Noteworthy former residents
Earnest Andersson, who had developed the concept of the Hotel des Artists, and owned several apartments therein[12]
Audrey Rose (1977): Hotel des Artistes plays a prominent role in the supernatural drama Audrey Rose. The film's set designers re-created one of the building's apartments on a sound stage in Hollywood.[17]
References
^
abCarter, James T. (November 2, 1958).
"Books and Things". The Victoria Advocate. p. 24. Retrieved December 28, 2020.