Edward J. Berwind House, Grand residential mansion on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, United States.
The Edward J. Berwind House is a residential mansion on Fifth Avenue featuring a red brick and limestone facade with an arched entryway supported by polished granite columns. The building was later divided into multiple apartments while maintaining much of its original architecture, with a contemporary glass penthouse added to the roof.
The mansion was built in 1896 by architect Nathan Clark Mellen for Edward J. Berwind, who controlled the largest bituminous coal reserves in the United States. His wealth from the coal industry made possible this elaborate residence during the peak era of Manhattan's wealthy elite.
The interior spaces were designed by French firm Jules Allard & Son and feature formal reception areas and grand staircases that reflect the tastes of Manhattan's wealthy residents. These rooms tell the story of an era when such elaborate interiors were a mark of wealth and social standing.
The building can be viewed from the street but is divided into private apartments and not open to visitors. The best view of the facade and its architectural details is from Fifth Avenue or the adjacent street sides.
A distinctive limestone-walled sunken barrier surrounds the property on the 64th Street side, preventing pedestrians from looking directly into the lower-level windows. This unusual feature was a deliberate design choice to protect the residents' privacy.
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