W.A. Clark built his dream mansion in 1912, it took 10 years to complete. The house on the corner of 5th Avenue and 77th Street in New York City featured 121 rooms. The cost of the mansion was no more than 2 years profit from a single Clark copper mine. in 1911 it was
described as "the biggest, bulliest and brassiest of all American castles," "the most
remarkable dwelling in the world," and "without doubt the most beautiful private residence
in America." In today's dollars, the cost to build would be $250 million.
"Reporters who toured the home counted twenty-six bedrooms, thirty one bathrooms,, and five art galleries. Below the basement's Turkish baths, swimming pool, and storage room for furs, a railroad spur brought in coal for the furnace, which burned seven tons on a typical day, not only for heat but also to power dynamos for the two elevators, the cold-storage plant, the air-filtration plant, and the 4,200 light bulbs." (From Empty Mansions, page 5)
After W.A. Clark died in 1925, age 86, the most opulent house ever built in NY was soon razed to the ground. But first, the house was opened to the public from February 20 thru March 1 where 16,000 tourists at fifty cents a peek toured the house before demolition.
Huguette Clark, as the youngest daughter of W.A. Clark, owned mansions of her own:
- The Beautiful Castle in Connecticut, with 14,000 square feet, 22 rooms - that sat empty for 60 years
- The Beautiful Lookout (Bellosguardo) in California with 21,666 square feet, 27 rooms - unoccupied for 50 years
- Three 5th Avenue Apartments with a total of 42 rooms - unoccupied for 20 years
Empty Mansions; The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune was originally published in the United States,Canada, and the United Kingdom; and, has been translated and published in China, Brazil and Italy.
What impression of America and great wealth is given to the world at large?
Come join the discussion on Thursday, February 2nd from 10 AM to 11:30 AM.