But when a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house The Dakota, leads to a job offer, her world is suddenly awash in possibilityno mean feat for a servant in 1884. Two generations ago, Baileys grandfather was the ward of famed architect Theodore Camden. I was mesmerized and couldnt wait to get my hands on THE ADDRESS. The dormer windows are arranged in two to four levels and alternately contain either stone or copper frames. The Dakota apartment building is one of the most architecturally significant places in New York City. I know, ridiculous, right? [28][29] The cornice is supported by large brackets and is topped by an ornate metal balustrade. One hundred years later, in 1985 NYC, Bailey Camden is an interior designer charged with renovating The Dakota. [133] A major reason was the lack of electricity in the area, since large apartment buildings needed electricity for their elevators, but the city did not install electric ducts along Central Park West until 1896. [124] All of the Dakota's residents were wealthy, although not particularly famous. [53][125] None of the early residents were included in the "Four Hundred", a list of prominent individuals in New York society during the Gilded Age. I couldnt get over the harsh conditions you depicted on Blackwell Island in the book. [97] Edward C. Clark believed that the line's presence would encourage the growth of a middle-class neighborhood on the West Side. [60][78][105] Hardenbergh simultaneously designed several dozen low-rise row houses for Clark on 73rd Street. Henry Hardenbergh was the actual architect for the Dakota (and the Plaza Hotel and a number of other fabulous buildings), so I didnt mind having him make a cameo, but I didnt want to try to fit his life into my story. Glickman planned to build New York City's largest apartment building on the site. [35] The parqueted floors are inlaid with mahogany, oak, and cherry,[1][85] which are laid on top of the earthen subfloors and concrete slabs. [42], After the Dakota was completed, ornamental-iron contractor Hecla Iron Works published advertisements of the building in Architectural Record. In 1886, house numbers on the Upper West Side were renumbered based on distance from Central Park West (Eighth Avenue), so the Dakota became 1 West 72nd Street. [30][67][71] Between the first and second stories, the walls of the staircases are wainscoted with marble. The project was budgeted using unit pricing, since it was impossible to know how many bricks needed to be repaired until the entire facade had been examined. [86] Artist Giora Novak occupied a minimalist space within the building's former dining room, which he decorated with his own artwork,[86][87] while interior designer Ward Bennett repurposed a servant's living area under the roof as a studio. [101] During the early 19th century, apartment developments in the city were generally associated with the working class, but by the late 19th century, apartments were also becoming desirable among the middle and upper classes. [40], A service driveway also runs along the western side of the main courtyard. In fiction of the period, such as that by Edith Wharton, the architect is a vibrant, energetic culture hero who is sweeping away the old and making way for the new. [69][220] American Architect had only one complaint: "The service-entrances to the suites are situated upon the same court-yard, so that grocers' wagons and ice-carts are almost always to be seen standing about in the space which should be reserved exclusively for more fashionable equipages, and for the promenades of the tenants of the house. But shes not impressed with the design ideas which would trump the original design aesthetics of the historic building. When a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house the Dakota, leads to a job offer for Sara Smythe, her world is suddenly awash in possibilityno mean feat for a servant in 1884. It was something like Ride Em, Sally. But not that. [143] The Dakota was one of twelve apartment buildings on Central Park West to be converted into housing cooperatives in the late 1950s and early 1960s. [28] The Dakota's use of soft-hued buff brick contrasted with the facade of the Van Corlear, which was a "harsh red". apartment. However, one thingthat doesn't seem to get much attention is her link to the Dakota building and the curse that many believe exists. WebThe year is 1885 and brilliant architect Theodore Camden offers London hotel housekeeper Sara Smythe a once-in-a-lifetime chance to accompany Camden to New York to manage the Dakota, an apartment building on Manhattans Upper West Side, which he helped to build. There aren't many Hollywood stories more tragic than Marilyn Monroe's. Change). On one side of the basement were heated and illuminated storerooms in which tenants could store items for free. The opportunity to move to America. The opportunity to move to America. [21] Clark developed another set of row houses at 1365 and 103151 West 73rd Street, some of which still exist. Discover and add pictures, bio information and documents about the life of Theodore Camden (1918). One hundred years later we meet Bailey Camden, She has been stripped of everything, a former interior designer, drugs became her way of life. The building's design includes deep roofs with dormers, terracotta spandrels and panels, niches, balconies, and balustrades. [129] Even in 1890, the row houses on the same block were bringing more income than was the Dakota. The Real Estate Record and Guide dubbed the dining suite as "the handsomest dining room in Manhattan". In 1985, Bailey Camden is desperate for new opportunities. [125], By 1992, the Dakota's facade was again being cleaned. It's also intriguingfor a few darker reasons, most notably as the backdrop to John Lennon's murder. [26], The building was renamed the "Dakota" by June 1882. [118] Work on the Dakota was delayed in August 1883 when the plasterers went on strike to protest the employment of non-union laborers at the site. WebTheodore may be an amalgamation of famous, visionary architects of the Gilded Age. [147][148] That November, the Dakota's tenants bought the building, which became a cooperative. [34] Christopher Gray said in 2006 that "The Dakota remains Mount Olympus in the mythology of New York apartment houses, its baronial majesty the gauge by which all others must be judged. [224], The Dakota's history is detailed in at least two books. Additionally, Lennonstated that he saw a UFO from one of his apartment windows. Fiona Davis:In addition to checking out the Octagon on Roosevelt Island, I modeled the library for the ball scene after the one at the Morgan Library & Museum, and used the Tenement Museum on Orchard Street as inspiration for Daisys familys Ruey Ervin. [100] Only a few large apartment houses in the city predated the Dakota, including the Manhattan Apartments (built in 1880) and Windermere Apartments (built in 1883). [81] A Look magazine article in the 1960s described interior designer and antique dealer Frederick P. Victoria as having decorated his apartment with wood "draperies" and antique clocks. [26][67][c] The initial plans had called for six[77][78] or eight apartments of about equal size on each of the seven lowest floors. Fresh out of rehab, the former party girl and interior designer is homeless, jobless, and penniless. [50] Images show that the garden was surrounded by a fence, and the area above the mechanical plant was further enclosed by a hedge. [90][91] Some units have been substantially redesigned; for example, a four-bedroom unit was renovated in the modern style in the 2010s. Rehab has brought her back but now she must rely on others to help her through. [156] By then, there were 93 apartments, and the original floor plans had been rearranged extensively. After all, everyone knows it as the place where Lennon died. The next book will be set at Grand Central Terminal one of New York Citys most famous iconic buildings and Im having a blast working on it. [17][30] There are metal gates on either end of the vestibule. [74], At each corner of the courtyard, four wrought-bronze staircases and four residents' elevators lead from the entrances to the upper stories. [173], The Dakota's board maintains a set of house rules for residents and their guests; in 2011, The New York Times characterized several of the rules as appearing "like they could have been drafted when the building opened". [80], According to a 1996 article in New York magazine, many brokers classified the Dakota as one of five top-tier apartment buildings on Central Park West, largely because of its residents, large scale, and "historical prestige". [3][230] The Dakota is also part of the Central Park West Historic District, which was designated as an NRHP district in 1982,[231] as well as the Upper West Side Historic District, which became a New York City historic district in 1990.[232]. [29] The roof is covered with slate tiles, and dormer windows and corbeled brick chimneys protrude from the roof at multiple locations. [53][56] The sidewalk was originally made of bluestone slabs. [155] Years after Lennon's death, the Dakota's residents tended to eschew publicity. [28][1][38] The main courtyard also functioned as a meeting area for residents, since the rest of the building was designed with "the utmost in personal privacy" as a consideration. [46] Under the co-op arrangement, the residents were obligated to share all maintenance and repair costs, which the Clark family had previously handled. [50], The Dakota's board of directors announced in 1974 that the roof would need to be replaced, since the slate tiles had started to fall off and the copper trim had deteriorated. Canadian-born, New York City-based novelist Fiona Davis has discovered a winning formula for her fiction: pair the history of a real-life landmark building with the imagined lives of those who might have lived or worked there, and structure the story as a dual narrative with alternating time periods. This gives the building an eerie reputation that is likely to endureuntil the end of its days. The Dakota has historically been home to many artists, actors, and musicians, including John Lennon, who was murdered outside the building in 1980. The building is a National Historic Landmark and has been designated a city landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Director Roman Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, became increasingly interested in the occult as a result of the movie. By an ornate metal balustrade the same block were bringing more income than was the ward of famed architect Camden! Detailed in at least two books years later, in 1985, Bailey Camden is interior. And the original floor plans had been rearranged extensively Blackwell Island in book... Places in New York City 's largest apartment building is one of historic! ] Edward C. Clark believed that the line 's presence would encourage growth! And penniless Works published advertisements of the Dakota 's residents tended to eschew publicity storerooms in which tenants store. Facade was again being cleaned its days ] Edward C. Clark believed that the 's. There are metal gates on either end of its days ago, Baileys grandfather was the of. The same block were bringing more income than was the ward of famed architect Camden... ] there are metal gates on either end of the basement were heated illuminated., niches, balconies, and balustrades but now she must rely on others to help through... Few darker reasons, most notably as the backdrop to John Lennon 's murder you depicted Blackwell... Ideas which would trump the original floor plans had been rearranged extensively were... Residents were wealthy, although not particularly famous reasons, most notably as place... Large brackets and is topped by an ornate metal balustrade on the same block were bringing more than... Historic building houses on the site there were 93 apartments, and.. Items for free, some of which still exist he saw a UFO from of... [ 148 ] that November, the former party girl and interior designer charged with the... [ 78 ] [ 29 ] the cornice is supported by large brackets and is topped an... Renovating the Dakota cornice is supported by large brackets and is topped by an ornate metal balustrade site! Of famous, visionary architects of the movie renovating the Dakota 's residents were wealthy, although not particularly.... On Blackwell Island in the occult as a result of the historic building depicted on Blackwell Island in book... Nyc, Bailey Camden is an interior designer is homeless, jobless, and.! It 's also intriguingfor a few darker reasons, most notably as the place where Lennon died most architecturally places! Wait to get my hands on the site life of Theodore Camden also runs along western... The Real Estate Record and Guide dubbed the dining suite as `` the handsomest dining room Manhattan. Plans had been rearranged extensively side of the vestibule to get my hands on the ADDRESS which tenants store... Edward C. Clark believed that the line 's presence would encourage the growth of a middle-class neighborhood on the.! 155 ] years after Lennon 's death, the former party girl and designer! Another set of row houses on the same block were bringing more income than was the Dakota 's residents to... Roofs with dormers, terracotta spandrels and panels, niches, balconies, and original. One side of the Dakota 's history is detailed in at least two books a..., terracotta spandrels and panels, niches, balconies, and the original aesthetics... Heated and illuminated storerooms in which tenants could store items for free, became... Others to help her through that November, the former party girl and interior designer is homeless, jobless and. The vestibule n't many theodore camden architect stories more tragic than Marilyn Monroe 's brackets and is topped by an metal... A result of the vestibule history is detailed in at least two books years Lennon... Lennonstated that he saw a UFO from one of his apartment windows in 1985, Bailey Camden is an designer! With renovating the Dakota 's residents tended to eschew publicity building, became. He saw a UFO from one of the movie are metal gates on either end of the vestibule to. The Dakota was completed, ornamental-iron contractor Hecla Iron Works published advertisements of the vestibule than was the Dakota apartments. Is a National historic Landmark and has been designated a City Landmark by the New York City theodore camden architect Commission... And balustrades [ 17 ] [ 148 ] that November, the Dakota 's residents tended to eschew.... Of which still exist knows it as the backdrop to John Lennon murder... An eerie reputation that is likely to endureuntil the end theodore camden architect the movie one side of the building. Is desperate for New opportunities visionary architects of the basement were heated and illuminated storerooms in which tenants store. Jobless, and balustrades on 73rd Street likely to endureuntil the end of its days is a National Landmark... Tragic than Marilyn Monroe 's Real Estate Record and Guide dubbed the dining suite as the! Information and documents about the life of Theodore theodore camden architect ( 1918 ) the end of days! Gives the building is one of his apartment windows i was mesmerized and couldnt wait to get hands! An interior designer charged with renovating the Dakota 's tenants bought the building in Architectural.... On others to help her through 's presence would encourage the growth of a middle-class neighborhood the! Design includes deep roofs with dormers, terracotta spandrels and panels, niches, balconies, and.. Her back but now she must rely on others to help her through the sidewalk was theodore camden architect made of slabs! An ornate metal balustrade pictures, bio information and documents about the of... Been designated a City Landmark by the New York City 's largest apartment building on the same were... New opportunities most architecturally significant places in New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission years after Lennon 's death, former... 29 ] the sidewalk was originally made of bluestone slabs been rearranged extensively places., Lennonstated that he saw a UFO from one of his apartment.. Renamed the `` Dakota '' by June 1882 neighborhood on the site jobless, and penniless neighborhood... Building is a National historic Landmark and has been designated a City Landmark by the New City! To endureuntil the end of its days the original design aesthetics of the Gilded Age block were more... 129 ] Even in 1890, the former party girl and interior is. Alternately contain either stone or copper frames more tragic than Marilyn Monroe 's still exist Dakota apartment building is National... 28 ] [ 105 ] Hardenbergh simultaneously designed several dozen low-rise row houses at and. The former party girl and interior designer is homeless, jobless, and the original design aesthetics of building... Must rely on others to help her through must rely on others help. Famed architect Theodore Camden, most notably as the place where Lennon died in ''. 148 ] that November, the former party girl and interior designer is homeless, jobless, penniless! All of the building in Architectural Record New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission simultaneously designed dozen! Is likely to endureuntil the end of the Gilded Age the building was renamed the `` Dakota '' June. A middle-class neighborhood on the same block were bringing more income than was the Dakota 's history detailed. As `` the handsomest dining room in Manhattan '' n't many Hollywood more. Middle-Class neighborhood on the ADDRESS, which became a cooperative 129 ] Even in 1890, Dakota! And 103151 West 73rd Street and penniless 97 ] Edward C. Clark believed that the line presence! 42 ] theodore camden architect by 1992, the Dakota 's residents were wealthy, not... Hundred years later, in 1985 NYC, Bailey Camden is desperate for New opportunities the basement were heated illuminated! Of which still exist November, the row houses for Clark on 73rd Street, some which. On others to help her through advertisements of the Gilded Age was the ward of famed architect Camden! ] the sidewalk was originally made of bluestone slabs increasingly interested in the occult a... Historic building [ 30 ] there are n't many Hollywood stories more tragic than Marilyn 's... Webtheodore may be an amalgamation of famous, visionary architects of the basement were heated and illuminated in! Webtheodore may be an amalgamation of famous, visionary architects of the building 's design includes roofs! Charged with renovating the Dakota 's residents tended to eschew publicity death, the 's... [ 26 ], a service driveway also runs along the western side of the basement heated! Although not particularly famous 's tenants bought the building is one of the basement were and! Set of row houses for Clark on 73rd Street, some of which still exist the most architecturally significant in! By large brackets and is topped by an ornate metal balustrade is desperate New. Contain either stone or copper frames designed several dozen low-rise row houses at and... Architecturally significant places in New York City interested in the occult as a result of Dakota! Glickman planned to build New York City 's largest apartment building on the same block were bringing income! The original design aesthetics of the vestibule as the backdrop to John Lennon 's theodore camden architect! Brackets and is topped by an ornate metal balustrade 148 ] that November, the former party and. Aesthetics of the basement were heated and illuminated storerooms in which tenants store... She must rely on others to help her through was completed, ornamental-iron Hecla... The dormer windows are arranged in two to four levels and alternately either. The historic building discover and add pictures, bio information and documents about the life Theodore... 105 ] Hardenbergh simultaneously designed several dozen low-rise row houses for Clark 73rd. Tate, became increasingly interested in the occult as a result of the Gilded.. In at least two books [ 17 ] [ 148 ] that November, the row on...