Edward S. Harkness House, Renaissance Revival mansion in Upper East Side, Manhattan, US.
Edward S. Harkness House is a Renaissance Revival residence on the Upper East Side with seven floors and a Tennessee marble exterior. The building contains formal reception rooms, a library, and a music room connected by a glass-domed staircase featuring ornate iron railings.
Architect James Gamble Rogers designed this residence in 1907 for Edward Harkness, who inherited substantial wealth from Standard Oil Company investments. Since 1952, the building has served as the headquarters of the Commonwealth Fund while maintaining its architectural character.
The mansion hosted social gatherings, debutante balls, and musical lectures that reflected the upper-class social life of early 1900s New York City. Visitors can still observe the grand reception rooms designed for such refined social occasions.
The building now operates as offices for the Commonwealth Fund with limited public access to certain areas. It is best to inquire ahead about visiting opportunities, as most spaces serve administrative functions rather than public tours.
The residence features a striking glass-domed staircase connecting all seven floors with decorative iron railings created by Italian craftsmen specifically for this project. This architectural detail demonstrates the owner's wealth and commitment to commissioning fine European craftsmanship.
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