The Clebourne - 924 West End Avenue
The Clebourne is located on the former site of the Straus Mansion. Isidor Straus lived in the sprawling home with his wife Ida from 1884 until the couple perished aboard the Titanic on April 15th 1912. Isidor was best known as one of the founding partners of the department store Abraham and Straus (aka A&S) and also as a co-owner of the Macy’s department store. Shortly after their deaths, the house was sold to developers and demolished to make way for the Clebourne Apartment Building.
Side view of the entrance and porte-cochere of the Clebourne
Completed in 1913, this grand dame and one of my personal favorites, is most notable for its ornate façade and elegant porte-cochere entrance which faces onto 105th Street. Designed by the team of Schwartz and Gros, the exterior and lobby have an arts and crafts character. There are 3 elevator landings and most floors have 2 apartments per landing. This coop has primarily large apartments, ranging in size from 6-9 rooms, with high ceilings and old fashioned layouts.
Straus Park statue and bench with inscription
Straus Park, which sits in the triangle between West End Avenue and Broadway and is located 1 block north, was named in honor of Isidor and Ida. There is a beautiful bronze statue by Augustus Lukeman of a nymph who looks to be gazing out to sea. On the bench behind the statue is inscribed "Lovely and pleasant were they in their lives and in their death they were not parted." The passage is said to refer to Ida's choice to stay on the Titanic with her beloved husband, Isidor, rather than get safely into a lifeboat.
Here is a link to an article about Straus Park: http://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/23/realestate/streetscapes-straus-park-106th-street-west-end-avenue-restored-memorial-2-who.html
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