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{{Short description|Building in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Short description|Building in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
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{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| image = Otto H Kahn House (48237027662).jpg
| image = Otto H Kahn House (48237027662).jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| name = Otto H. Kahn House
| name = Otto H. Kahn House
| architect = J. Armstrong Stenhouse; [[C. P. H. Gilbert]]
| architect = J. Armstrong Stenhouse; [[C. P. H. Gilbert]]
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| coordinates = {{coord|40|47|05|N|73|57|28|W|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|40|47|05|N|73|57|28|W|display=inline,title}}
| refnum = 06000821
| refnum = 06000821
| district_map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|frame-height=250|zoom=14|type=point|marker=|title=Otto H. Kahn House}}
| added = September 12, 2006
| added = September 12, 2006<ref name="nris_2006"/>
| built = 1914–1918
| built = 1914–1918
| designated_other1 = New York State Register of Historic Places
| designated_other1 = New York State Register of Historic Places
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| designated_other1_number = 06101.000248
| designated_other1_number = 06101.000248
| designated_other1_abbr = NYSRHP
| designated_other1_abbr = NYSRHP
| designated_other1_date = June 28, 2006
| designated_other1_date = June 28, 2006<ref name="Cultural Resource Information System"/>
| designated_other2 = New York City Landmark
| designated_other2 = New York City Landmark
| designated_other2_number = 0675
| designated_other2_number = 0675
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}}
}}


The '''Otto H. Kahn House''' is a [[mansion]] at 1 East 91st Street, at [[Fifth Avenue]], in the [[Carnegie Hill]] section of the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]] in [[New York City]]. The four-story mansion was designed by architects J. Armstrong Stenhouse and [[C. P. H. Gilbert]] in the neo-[[Renaissance Revival architecture|Italian Renaissance]] style. It was completed in 1918 as the town residence of the German-born financier and philanthropist [[Otto H. Kahn]] and his family. The [[Convent of the Sacred Heart (New York City)|Convent of the Sacred Heart]], a private school, owns the Kahn House along with the adjacent [[James A. Burden House]], which is internally connected. The mansion is a [[New York City designated landmark]] and, along with the Burden House, is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
The '''Otto H. Kahn House''' is a [[mansion]] at 1 East 91st Street, at [[Fifth Avenue]], in the [[Carnegie Hill]] section of the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]] in [[New York City]]. The four-story mansion was designed by architects J. Armstrong Stenhouse and [[C. P. H. Gilbert]] in the neo-[[Renaissance Revival architecture|Italian Renaissance]] style. It was completed in 1918 as the town residence of the financier and philanthropist [[Otto H. Kahn]] and his family. The [[Convent of the Sacred Heart (New York City)|Convent of the Sacred Heart]], a private school, owns the Kahn House along with the adjacent [[James A. Burden House]], which is internally connected. The mansion is a [[New York City designated landmark]] and, along with the Burden House, is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].


The mansion's facade is made of French limestone and is [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] on the first and second stories, with large archways on the first floor. The house has French- and Italian-style interiors and is divided into front and rear sections, with an oval entrance hall connecting the floors. The first floor originally contained reception spaces while the second floor had spaces including a study, library, theater, drawing room, and dining room. On the top stories, there were 15 bedrooms with ''[[en suite]]'' dressing rooms and bathrooms.
The mansion's facade is made of French limestone and is [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] on the first and second stories, with large archways on the first floor. The house has French- and Italian-style interiors and is divided into front and rear sections, with an oval entrance hall connecting the floors. The first floor originally contained reception spaces while the second floor had spaces including a study, library, theater, drawing room, and dining room. On the top stories, there were 15 bedrooms with ''[[en suite]]'' dressing rooms and bathrooms.


[[Andrew Carnegie]] purchased the site in 1898 to protect the value of his [[Andrew Carnegie Mansion|nearby mansion]], but he did not sell it until 1913, when Kahn bought the plot. The house took four years to build. The Kahns hosted various events at the house after it was completed, and they were seeking to sell the house by the early 1930s. The Convent of the Sacred Heart bought it in 1934 and converted the house into classrooms. The house was renovated in the late 20th century, though many of the interior spaces have been preserved.
[[Andrew Carnegie]] purchased the site in 1898 to protect the value of his [[Andrew Carnegie Mansion|nearby mansion]], but he did not sell it until 1913, when Kahn bought the plot. After the house was completed, the Kahns hosted various events there, splitting their time between their 91st Street residence and [[Oheka Castle]] on [[Long Island]]. The family was seeking to sell the house by the early 1930s. After Otto Kahn died in 1934, the Convent of the Sacred Heart bought it and converted the house into classrooms, a library, and offices. The house was renovated in the late 20th century, though many of the interior spaces have been preserved.


==Site==
==Site==
The Otto H. Kahn House is at 1 East 91st Street<ref name="GuidetoNYCLandmarks">{{cite book |last1=Dolkart |first1=Andrew S |url=https://archive.org/details/guidetonewyorkci00dolk_0 |title=Guide to New York City Landmarks |last2=Postal |first2=Matthew A. |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |others=Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (Author of Foreword) |year=2004 |isbn=9780471369004 |edition=Third |series=New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |pages=[https://archive.org/details/guidetonewyorkci00dolk_0/page/51 51], 175 |author-link1=Andrew S. Dolkart |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="AIA5 p. 459">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=459}}</ref> in the [[Carnegie Hill]] section of the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]] in New York City.<ref name="NPS p. 3">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> It stands on the northwest corner of [[Fifth Avenue]] and 91st Street,<ref name="NPS p. 3" /><ref name="ZoLa">{{Cite web |title=1095 5 Avenue, 10128 |url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1503/1 |access-date=March 20, 2020 |publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]] |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202232058/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1503/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> facing [[Central Park]] to the west.<ref name="ZoLa" /> The site measures {{Convert|100|ft}} wide on Fifth Avenue to the west and {{Convert|145|ft}} wide on 91st Street to the south.<ref name="n139849069">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1913 |title=To Improve Former Carnegie Plot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-to-improve-former-carne/139849069/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=12 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000527/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-to-improve-former-carne/139849069/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n139849224">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1913 |title=Kahn to Build $1,000,000 Home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-kahn-to-build-1000000-home/139849224/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=1 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000526/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-kahn-to-build-1000000-home/139849224/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 20th century, the house occupied the north end of Fifth Avenue's [[Millionaires' Row]].<ref name="Maurice 1918 p. 310">{{cite book |last=Maurice |first=Arthur Bartlett |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZFuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA310 |title=Fifth Avenue |publisher=Dodd, Mead |year=1918 |isbn=978-1-4219-6267-2 |series=Genealogy & local history |page=310 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126160954/https://books.google.com/books?id=SZFuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA310 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> On the same city block to the east are the [[James A. Burden House]] (which is internally connected with the Kahn House<ref name="NPS p. 3" />), the [[John Henry Hammond House]], and the [[11 East 91st Street|John and Caroline Trevor House]].<ref name="AIA5 p. 459" /><ref name="nyt-2014-03-202">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=March 20, 2014 |title=The Grandest Block in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127022158/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The [[Felix M. Warburg House]], containing the [[Jewish Museum (Manhattan)|Jewish Museum]], is on the block to the north.<ref name="AIA5 p. 460">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=460}}</ref> Just south of the Otto H. Kahn House is the [[Andrew Carnegie Mansion]] at 2 East 90th Street, housing the [[Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum]].<ref name="AIA5 p. 457">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=457}}</ref> The townhouses on [[11 East 90th Street|11]], [[15 East 90th Street|15]], and [[17 East 90th Street]] and the [[Spence School]] are located on the same block as the Carnegie Mansion, southeast of the Kahn House.<ref name="AIA5 p. 458">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=458}}</ref>
The Otto H. Kahn House is at 1 East 91st Street<ref name="GuidetoNYCLandmarks">{{cite book |last1=Dolkart |first1=Andrew S |url=https://archive.org/details/guidetonewyorkci00dolk_0 |title=Guide to New York City Landmarks |last2=Postal |first2=Matthew A. |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |others=Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (Author of Foreword) |year=2004 |isbn=9780471369004 |edition=Third |series=New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |pages=[https://archive.org/details/guidetonewyorkci00dolk_0/page/51 51], 175 |author-link1=Andrew S. Dolkart |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="AIA5 p. 459">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=459}}</ref> in the [[Carnegie Hill]] section of the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]] in New York City.<ref name="NPS p. 3">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> It stands on the northeast corner of [[Fifth Avenue]] and 91st Street,<ref name="NPS p. 3" /><ref name="ZoLa">{{Cite web |title=1095 5 Avenue, 10128 |url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1503/1 |access-date=March 20, 2020 |publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]] |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202232058/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1503/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> facing [[Central Park]] to the west.<ref name="ZoLa" /> The site measures {{Convert|100|ft}} wide on Fifth Avenue to the west and {{Convert|145|ft}} wide on 91st Street to the south.<ref name="New-York Tribune 1913">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1913 |title=To Improve Former Carnegie Plot |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-to-improve-former-carne/139849069/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=12 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000527/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-to-improve-former-carne/139849069/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Sun 1913">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1913 |title=Kahn to Build $1,000,000 Home |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-kahn-to-build-1000000-home/139849224/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=1 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000526/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-kahn-to-build-1000000-home/139849224/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 20th century, the house occupied the north end of Fifth Avenue's [[Millionaires' Row]].<ref name="Maurice 1918 p. 310">{{cite book |last=Maurice |first=Arthur Bartlett |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZFuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA310 |title=Fifth Avenue |publisher=Dodd, Mead |year=1918 |isbn=978-1-4219-6267-2 |series=Genealogy & local history |page=310 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126160954/https://books.google.com/books?id=SZFuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA310 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> On the same city block to the east are the [[James A. Burden House]] (which is internally connected with the Kahn House<ref name="NPS p. 3" />), the [[John Henry Hammond House]], and the [[11 East 91st Street|John and Caroline Trevor House]].<ref name="AIA5 p. 459" /><ref name="nyt-2014-03-202">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=March 20, 2014 |title=The Grandest Block in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127022158/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US }}</ref> The [[Felix M. Warburg House]], containing the [[Jewish Museum (Manhattan)|Jewish Museum]], is on the block to the north.<ref name="AIA5 p. 460">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=460}}</ref> Just south of the Otto H. Kahn House is the [[Andrew Carnegie Mansion]] at 2 East 91st Street, housing the [[Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum]].<ref name="AIA5 p. 457">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=457}}</ref> The townhouses on [[11 East 90th Street|11]], [[15 East 90th Street|15]], and [[17 East 90th Street]] and the [[Spence School]] are located on the same block as the Carnegie Mansion, southeast of the Kahn House.<ref name="AIA5 p. 458">{{harvnb|White|Willensky|Leadon|2010|ps=.|p=458}}</ref>


==Architecture==
==Architecture==
The architects J. Armstrong Stenhouse and [[C. P. H. Gilbert]] designed the house at 1 East 91st Street for the family of financier [[Otto Hermann Kahn]] in the neo-[[Renaissance Revival architecture|Italian Renaissance]] style.<ref name="nyt-2003-02-09">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=2003-02-09 |title=Streetscapes/Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert; A Designer of Lacy Mansions for the City's Eminent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/09/realestate/streetscapes-charles-pierrepont-henry-gilbert-designer-lacy-mansions-for-city-s.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="NYCL (1993) pp. 163–164">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|pp=163–164}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Kobler|1988|ps=;|p=112}} {{harvnb|Merkel|1996|ps=.|page=5}}</ref> It is four stories high with a basement<ref name="NYCL p. 1" /> and a protruding rooftop [[dormer]],<ref name="NPS p. 6">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> and the house measures about {{Convert|100|ft}} to its roof.<ref name="p101251965">{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=L. E. |date=May 20, 1934 |title=Kahn Sale Shows Trends in Realty: Well-known Mansion on Fifth Avenue Will Be Used for Girls' School. |work=The New York Times |page=RE1 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|101251965}}}}</ref> The house was modeled after the [[Palazzo della Cancelleria]] of the [[Papal Chancellery]] in [[Rome]].<ref name="NYCL (1993) pp. 163–164" /><ref name="Reed 1962" /> One 20th-century architectural writer stated that the house was inspired exclusively by 16th-century Italian architecture.<ref name="Solon p. 102">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=102}}</ref>
The architects J. Armstrong Stenhouse and [[C. P. H. Gilbert]] designed the house at 1 East 91st Street for the family of financier [[Otto Hermann Kahn]] in the neo-[[Renaissance Revival architecture|Italian Renaissance]] style.<ref name="nyt-2003-02-09">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=2003-02-09 |title=Streetscapes/Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert; A Designer of Lacy Mansions for the City's Eminent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/09/realestate/streetscapes-charles-pierrepont-henry-gilbert-designer-lacy-mansions-for-city-s.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US }}</ref><ref name="NYCL (1993) pp. 163–164">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|pp=163–164}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Kobler|1988|ps=;|p=112}} {{harvnb|Merkel|1996|ps=.|page=5}}</ref> It is four stories high with a basement<ref name="NYCL p. 1" /> and a protruding rooftop [[dormer]],<ref name="NPS p. 6">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> and the house measures about {{Convert|100|ft}} to its roof.<ref name="Cooper 1934">{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=L. E. |date=May 20, 1934 |title=Kahn Sale Shows Trends in Realty: Well-known Mansion on Fifth Avenue Will Be Used for Girls' School. |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=RE1 |id={{ProQuest|101251965}}}}</ref> The house was modeled after the [[Palazzo della Cancelleria]] of the [[Papal Chancellery]] in [[Rome]].<ref name="NYCL (1993) pp. 163–164" /><ref name="Reed 1962" /> One 20th-century architectural writer stated that the house was inspired exclusively by 16th-century Italian architecture.<ref name="Solon p. 102">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=102}}</ref>


=== Facade ===
=== Facade ===
[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 26.jpg|thumb|View of the facade from further east on 91st Street]]
[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 26.jpg|thumb|View of the facade from further east on 91st Street]]
The house was built of French limestone from St. Quentin,<ref name="p101251965" /><ref name="p913066091">{{Cite magazine |date=December 1, 1917 |title=Stone in Engineering Work |work=Stone |page=637 |volume=38 |issue=12 |id={{Pq|913066091}}}}</ref> which is textured. In general, the facade has lead-[[Came glasswork|came glass]] or zinc-came glass windows. The exterior faces of each window frame are made of molded limestone, while the interior faces are made of wood.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> On the lowest portion of the facade is a [[Water table (architecture)|water table]] that wraps around the southern [[Elevation (architecture)|elevation]] on 91st Street and the western elevation on Fifth Avenue.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> Above the water table, the first story of the facade is [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]], with deep [[Joint (building)|joints]] crossing the facade horizontally, and contains arched windows recessed between iron [[Grille (architecture)|grilles]].<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|p=2}}; {{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> The use of rusticated blocks and iron grillwork was intended to make the structure appear like a Renaissance [[palazzo]].<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> On 91st Street, there are two larger archways with paneled wooden doors. A short driveway, behind the facade, connects the two archways and contains the house's entrance.<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS pp. 6–7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|p=2}}; {{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=6–7}}</ref> There is a niche at either end of the driveway, as well as a [[coffered ceiling]],<ref name="NYCL p. 2">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> which is made of [[stucco]].<ref name="NPS pp. 6–7">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=6–7}}</ref> At the extreme eastern end of the southern elevation is a rusticated wall, behind which are service areas.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" />
The house was built of French limestone from St. Quentin,<ref name="Cooper 1934" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 1, 1917 |title=Stone in Engineering Work |magazine=Stone |page=637 |volume=38 |issue=12 |id={{ProQuest|913066091}}}}</ref> which is textured. In general, the facade has lead-[[Came glasswork|came glass]] or zinc-came glass windows. The exterior faces of each window frame are made of molded limestone, while the interior faces are made of wood.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> On the lowest portion of the facade is a [[Water table (architecture)|water table]] that wraps around the southern [[Elevation (architecture)|elevation]] on 91st Street and the western elevation on Fifth Avenue.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> Above the water table, the first story of the facade is [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]], with deep [[Joint (building)|joints]] crossing the facade horizontally, and contains arched windows recessed between iron [[Grille (architecture)|grilles]].<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|p=2}}; {{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> The use of rusticated blocks and iron grillwork was intended to make the structure appear like a Renaissance [[palazzo]].<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> On 91st Street, there are two larger archways with paneled wooden doors. A short indoor driveway connects the two archways and contains the house's main entrance.<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS pp. 6–7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|p=2}}; {{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=6–7}}</ref> There is a niche at either end of the driveway, as well as a [[coffered ceiling]],<ref name="NYCL p. 2">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|ps=.|p=2}}</ref> which is made of [[stucco]].<ref name="NPS pp. 6–7">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=6–7}}</ref> At the extreme eastern end of the southern elevation is a rusticated wall, with service areas behind the walls.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" />


The second story is designed like a [[piano nobile]] and is rusticated,<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> albeit with smoother limestone and shallower joints compared with the first floor. Each window is designed as a [[French window]] with [[Lead glass|leaded glass]] panes and wood frames behind a small [[balustrade]].<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> Above the second-story windows are [[pediment]]s that are alternately [[Segmental arch|segmentally arched]] and triangular, and there are vertical [[pilaster]]s between each of the windows.<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6" /> The third and fourth stories have a smooth facade, except for a horizontal [[string course]] that connects the fourth-floor windows.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> There are [[cornice]]s above the third-floor windows, while the fourth-floor windows have simpler frames and are proportionally smaller.<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6" /> Above the fourth floor is a protruding cornice with [[modillion]]s, which is surrounded by a [[balustrade]].<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6" />
The second story is designed like a [[piano nobile]] and is rusticated,<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> albeit with smoother limestone and shallower joints compared with the first floor. Each window is designed as a [[French window]] with [[Lead glass|leaded glass]] panes and wood frames behind a small [[balustrade]].<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> Above the second-story windows are [[pediment]]s that are alternately [[Segmental arch|segmentally arched]] and triangular, and there are vertical [[pilaster]]s between each of the windows.<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6" /> The third and fourth stories have a smooth facade, except for a horizontal [[string course]] that connects the fourth-floor windows.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> There are [[cornice]]s above the third-floor windows, while the fourth-floor windows have simpler frames and are proportionally smaller.<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6" /> Above the fourth floor is a protruding cornice with [[modillion]]s, which is surrounded by a [[balustrade]].<ref name="NYCL p. 2; NPS p. 6" />


Portions of the northern and eastern elevations are visible from the street and are similar to the western and southern elevations.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> The eastern elevation has a Renaissance-style tower topped by a [[water tank]]. On the roof are several rooms that are set back from the facade.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> Visible from the roof was a small garden house, a fountain, and a porch, which one critic from 1919 described as "a glimpse of Italy, in more intimate guise".<ref name="Solon p. 114" />
Portions of the northern and eastern elevations are visible from the street and are similar to the western and southern elevations.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> The eastern elevation has a Renaissance-style tower topped by a [[water tank]]. On the roof are several rooms that are set back slightly from the facade.<ref name="NPS p. 6" /> Visible from the roof was a small garden house, a fountain, and a porch, which one critic from 1919 described as "a glimpse of Italy, in more intimate guise".<ref name="Solon p. 114" />


A courtyard is on the northern side of the site and extends into the center of the building, allowing rooms in the middle of the house to be illuminated by natural light.<ref name="GB p. 288">{{harvnb|Gray|Braley|2003|ps=.|p=288}}</ref> The stone facade of the courtyard is decorated with elements such as arches and stairways;<ref name="GB p. 288" /><ref name="NPS p. 7">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=7}}</ref> this was a contrast to the [[lightwell]]s of similar mansions, which did not have decorative facades.<ref name="GB p. 288" /> There is a partially enclosed one-story terrace to the north of the house, which has a rusticated facade.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> This terrace is accessed by steps leading down from a [[loggia]],<ref name="Solon p. 113" /> which surrounds the courtyard on two sides.<ref name="Solon p. 113">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=113}}</ref><ref name="Vertical Access 2021 t244">{{cite web |date=October 7, 2021 |title=The Convent of the Sacred Heart School |url=https://vertical-access.com/projects/the-convent-school/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Vertical Access}}</ref> The courtyard's southeastern corner has a water tank and a staircase tower.<ref name="Vertical Access 2021 t244" /> At the rear of the house's northeast corner is an annex for the Convent of the Sacred Heart's lower school, which has a limestone facade.<ref name="NPS pp. 7–8">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=7–8}}</ref>
A courtyard is on the northern side of the site and extends into the center of the building, allowing rooms in the middle of the house to be illuminated by natural light.<ref name="GB p. 288">{{harvnb|Gray|Braley|2003|ps=.|p=288}}</ref> The stone facade of the courtyard is decorated with elements such as arches and stairways;<ref name="GB p. 288" /><ref name="NPS p. 7">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=7}}</ref> this was a contrast to the [[lightwell]]s of similar mansions, which did not have decorative facades.<ref name="GB p. 288" /> There is a partially enclosed one-story terrace to the north of the house, which has a rusticated facade.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> This terrace is accessed by steps leading down from a [[loggia]],<ref name="Solon p. 113" /> which surrounds the courtyard on two sides.<ref name="Solon p. 113">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=113}}</ref><ref name="Vertical Access 2021 t244">{{cite web |date=October 7, 2021 |title=The Convent of the Sacred Heart School |url=https://vertical-access.com/projects/the-convent-school/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Vertical Access}}</ref> The courtyard's southeastern corner has a water tank and a staircase tower.<ref name="Vertical Access 2021 t244" /> At the rear of the house's northeast corner is an annex for the Convent of the Sacred Heart's lower school, which has a limestone facade.<ref name="NPS pp. 7–8">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=7–8}}</ref>


=== Features ===
=== Features ===
The house has a floor area of {{convert|50,316|sqft|m2}}<ref>{{cite web |title=1 East 91st Street |url=http://nycprop.nyc.gov/nycproperty/StatementSearch?bbl=1015030001&stmtDate=20140115&stmtType=NPV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023080043/https://nycprop.nyc.gov/nycproperty/StatementSearch?bbl=1015030001&stmtDate=20140115&stmtType=NPV |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=April 21, 2014 |work=New York City Finance}}</ref> and was one of Manhattan's largest private houses,<ref name="p101251965" /> as well as [[List of largest houses in the United States|one of the largest in the U.S.]].<ref name="p1842120329">{{Cite news |last=Vigoda |first=Ralph |date=27 July 1997 |title=Museums Are First on Fifth: a Wealth of Museums, Many in Former Mansions of the Wealthy, Stretch Along New York's Fifth Avenue. It's Called the Museum Mile, but It's More |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |page=T.8 |id={{pq|1842120329}}}}</ref> It has been cited as containing a total of 66 rooms<ref name="The New York Times 1967 n613">{{cite web |last=Bender |first=Marylin |date=March 26, 1967 |title=At Sacred Heart Convent: A New Direction, an Old Distinction |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/03/26/archives/at-sacred-heart-convent-a-new-direction-an-old-distinction.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> or 80 rooms.<ref name="nyt-1988-02-19">{{Cite news |last=Yarrow |first=Andrew L. |date=February 19, 1988 |title=Weekender Guide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/19/arts/weekender-guide.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130155121/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/19/arts/weekender-guide.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p1842120329" /> There was originally a garden and private driveway, which was guarded 24 hours a day by a doorman,<ref name="Solon p. 112">{{Harvnb|ps=.|Solon|1919|p=112}}</ref> as well as an oak-paneled library and spacious reception room.<ref>Rascoe, Burton. "Contemporary Reminiscences." Arts & Decoration 20, (1924): 12.</ref> Original photographs of the more formal rooms taken during the Kahns' occupancy show them decorated in an 18th-century French and Italian style;<ref name="Williams 2022 u538">{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Iain Cameron |date=March 11, 2022 |title=The Kahn Palazzo, 1100 Fifth Avenue |url=https://www.thekahnsoffifthavenue.com/the-kahns-blog/the-kahn-palazzo-1100-fifth-avenue |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=The Kahns of Fifth Avenue |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920182925/https://www.thekahnsoffifthavenue.com/the-kahns-blog/the-kahn-palazzo-1100-fifth-avenue |url-status=live }}</ref> many of the original decorations remain intact.<ref name="nyt-1984-01-27">{{Cite news |last=Blau |first=Eleanor |date=January 27, 1984 |title=Weekender Guide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/27/arts/weekender-guide.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306141940/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/27/arts/weekender-guide.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The house has a floor area of {{convert|50,316|sqft|m2}}<ref>{{cite web |title=1 East 91st Street |url=http://nycprop.nyc.gov/nycproperty/StatementSearch?bbl=1015030001&stmtDate=20140115&stmtType=NPV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023080043/https://nycprop.nyc.gov/nycproperty/StatementSearch?bbl=1015030001&stmtDate=20140115&stmtType=NPV |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=April 21, 2014 |work=New York City Finance}}</ref> and was one of Manhattan's largest private houses,<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> as well as [[List of largest houses in the United States|one of the largest in the U.S.]].<ref name="Vigoda 1997">{{Cite news |last=Vigoda |first=Ralph |date=27 July 1997 |title=Museums Are First on Fifth: a Wealth of Museums, Many in Former Mansions of the Wealthy, Stretch Along New York's Fifth Avenue. It's Called the Museum Mile, but It's More |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |page=T.8 |id={{ProQuest|1842120329}}}}</ref> It has been cited as containing a total of 66 rooms<ref name="The New York Times 1967 n613">{{cite web |last=Bender |first=Marylin |date=March 26, 1967 |title=At Sacred Heart Convent: A New Direction, an Old Distinction |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/03/26/archives/at-sacred-heart-convent-a-new-direction-an-old-distinction.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> or 80 rooms.<ref name="nyt-1988-02-19">{{Cite news |last=Yarrow |first=Andrew L. |date=February 19, 1988 |title=Weekender Guide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/19/arts/weekender-guide.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130155121/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/19/arts/weekender-guide.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Vigoda 1997" /> There was originally a garden and private driveway, which was guarded 24 hours a day by a doorman,<ref name="Solon p. 112">{{Harvnb|ps=.|Solon|1919|p=112}}</ref> as well as an oak-paneled library and spacious reception room.<ref>Rascoe, Burton. "Contemporary Reminiscences." Arts & Decoration 20, (1924): 12.</ref> Original photographs of the more formal rooms taken during the Kahns' occupancy show them decorated in an 18th-century French and Italian style;<ref name="Williams 2022 u538">{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Iain Cameron |date=March 11, 2022 |title=The Kahn Palazzo, 1100 Fifth Avenue |url=https://www.thekahnsoffifthavenue.com/the-kahns-blog/the-kahn-palazzo-1100-fifth-avenue |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=The Kahns of Fifth Avenue |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920182925/https://www.thekahnsoffifthavenue.com/the-kahns-blog/the-kahn-palazzo-1100-fifth-avenue |url-status=live }}</ref> many of the original decorations remain intact.<ref name="nyt-1984-01-27">{{Cite news |last=Blau |first=Eleanor |date=January 27, 1984 |title=Weekender Guide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/27/arts/weekender-guide.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306141940/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/27/arts/weekender-guide.html |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 34.jpg|thumb|Connection with the Burden House, constructed after the Convent of the Sacred Heart took over both houses]]The first through third stories are connected to the Burden House's rear rooms via a glass passageway that is set back from the street. Since the floor levels are uneven, the connection is slightly sloped.<ref name="NPS p. 3" />

The first through third stories are connected to the Burden House's rear rooms via a glass structure that is set back from the street. Since the floor levels are uneven, the connection is slightly sloped.<ref name="NPS p. 3" />


==== Basements and first story ====
==== Basements and first story ====
There are two basement levels and five above-ground stories.<ref name="NPS p. 62">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> The second basement had electrical generators and a heating plant. The first basement had servants' living quarters, a kitchen, and a pantry, as well as 40 bedrooms for servants.<ref name="p101251965" /> These spaces also contained walk-in freezers and full height marble control panels with brass hardware. The control panels operated the house's vacuum system and dumbwaiters.<ref name="p2316162333">{{cite news |last=Ruhling |first=Nancy A. |date=17 Jan 1991 |title=A New Antique Show Offers a Rare Glimpse Inside Otto Kahn's Palatial Fifth Avenue Mansion |work=Newsday |page=73 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|2316162333}}}}</ref>
There are two basement levels and five above-ground stories.<ref name="NPS p. 62">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> The second basement had electrical generators and a heating plant. The first basement had servants' living quarters, a kitchen, and a pantry, as well as 40 bedrooms for servants.<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> These spaces also contained walk-in freezers and full height marble control panels with brass hardware. The control panels operated the house's vacuum system and dumbwaiters.<ref name="Ruhling 1991">{{cite news |last=Ruhling |first=Nancy A. |date=17 Jan 1991 |title=A New Antique Show Offers a Rare Glimpse Inside Otto Kahn's Palatial Fifth Avenue Mansion |work=Newsday |page=73 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|2316162333}}}}</ref>


The entrance leads to an entry hall with limestone walls supporting a plaster [[groin vault]]; this hall is decorated with pediments, niches, and cornice moldings. There is a grand staircase on the western wall and a smaller staircase and elevator on the eastern wall.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> The elevator originally had a mural because Otto Kahn's wife Addie was claustrophobic.<ref name="p2316162333" /> A stone tower with a concealed window allowed Kahn to watch his visitors entering the main hall.<ref name="p2316162333" /><ref name="The New York Times 1984 w798">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Susan Heller |last2=Carroll |first2=Maurice |date=January 30, 1984 |title=New York Day by Day |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/30/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-211209.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524160510/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/30/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-211209.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The rest of the first floor was used as reception spaces.<ref name="Solon p. 102" /><ref name="NPS p. 7" /> As originally arranged, there was a smaller hall leading west of the entry hall, which in turn connected to three reception spaces on the first floor.<ref name="Solon p. 102" /> The spaces had ceilings measuring close to {{Convert|20|ft}} high. One account from 1934 described the spaces as a dining room, library, music room, French room, and Italian room.<ref name="p101251965" /> The [[Convent of the Sacred Heart (New York City)|Convent of the Sacred Heart]] school, which took over the house in 1934,<ref name="p1114834810" /> converted these spaces into offices, meeting spaces, and ancillary spaces.<ref name="NPS p. 7" />
The entrance leads to an entry hall with limestone walls supporting a plaster [[groin vault]]; this hall is decorated with pediments, niches, and cornice moldings. There is a grand staircase on the western wall and a smaller staircase and elevator on the eastern wall.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> The elevator originally had a mural because Otto Kahn's wife Addie was claustrophobic.<ref name="Ruhling 1991" /> A stone tower with a concealed window allowed Kahn to watch his visitors enter the main hall.<ref name="Ruhling 1991" /><ref name="The New York Times 1984 w798">{{Cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Susan Heller |last2=Carroll |first2=Maurice |date=January 30, 1984 |title=New York Day by Day |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/30/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-211209.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524160510/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/30/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-211209.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The rest of the first floor was used as reception spaces.<ref name="Solon p. 102" /><ref name="NPS p. 7" /> As originally arranged, there was a smaller hall leading west of the entry hall, which in turn connected to three reception spaces on the first floor.<ref name="Solon p. 102" /> The spaces had ceilings measuring close to {{Convert|20|ft}} high. One account from 1934 described the spaces as a dining room, library, music room, French room, and Italian room.<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> The [[Convent of the Sacred Heart (New York City)|Convent of the Sacred Heart]] school, which took over the house in 1934,<ref name="New York Herald Tribune 1934" /> converted these spaces into offices, meeting spaces, and ancillary spaces.<ref name="NPS p. 7" />


==== Upper stories ====
==== Upper stories ====
The second-story rooms, which included a study, library, theater, drawing room, and dining room, were intended as the most ornate in the house. Facing the inner court is a foyer with a fireplace and two limestone stairways to the upper stories.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> Kahn's personal library had a leather-topped gift and two Dutch artists' portraits.<ref name="The New York Times 1984 w798" /> The Convent of the Sacred Heart has modified some of these rooms over the years, although many of the original architectural details remain intact. For example, the dining and drawing rooms were merged into a single chapel room; the study and library serve as the school's middle and upper school libraries; and the theater was converted into the school's performance room.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> The school built shelves into the walls of the {{convert|30|by|50|ft|adj=on}} family library room, which could accommodate 500 books.<ref name="p2316162333" /> There is also a ballroom,<ref name="The New York Times 1975 u166" /> which is described as having a vaulted ceiling with a {{Convert|20|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} crystal chandelier.<ref name="p2316162333" /> These spaces can be rented out for events and film shoots.<ref name="p409070168">{{cite news |last=Yancey |first=Kitty Bean |date=27 Mar 2009 |title=The camerawork in 'Duplicity' lovingly lingers on lavish lodgings: High-end hotels had a supporting role in spy film |work=USA Today |page=D.4 |id={{ProQuest|409070168}}}}</ref>
The second-story rooms, which included a study, library, theater, drawing room, and dining room, were intended as the most ornate in the house. Facing the inner court is a foyer with a fireplace and two limestone stairways to the upper stories.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> Kahn's personal library had a leather-topped gift and two Dutch artists' portraits.<ref name="The New York Times 1984 w798" /> The Convent of the Sacred Heart has modified some of these rooms over the years, although many of the original architectural details remain intact. For example, the dining and drawing rooms were merged into a single chapel room, the study and library served as the school's middle and upper school libraries, and the theater was converted into the school's performance room.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> The school built shelves into the walls of the {{convert|30|by|50|ft|adj=on}} family library room, which could accommodate 500 books.<ref name="Ruhling 1991" /> There is also a ballroom,<ref name="The New York Times 1975 u166" /> which is described as having a vaulted ceiling with a {{Convert|20|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} crystal chandelier.<ref name="Ruhling 1991" /> These spaces can be rented out for events and film shoots.<ref name="Yancey 2009">{{cite news |last=Yancey |first=Kitty Bean |date=27 Mar 2009 |title=The camerawork in 'Duplicity' lovingly lingers on lavish lodgings: High-end hotels had a supporting role in spy film |work=USA Today |page=D.4 |id={{ProQuest|409070168}}}}</ref>


On the top stories, there were 15 bedrooms, each with ''[[en suite]]'' dressing rooms and bathrooms.<ref name="p101251965" /> The third story initially featured the Kahn family's bedrooms, while the fourth story consisted of servants' bedrooms;<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> there was also an artist's [[atelier]] and a nursery.<ref name="The New York Times 1984 w798" /> The Convent of the Sacred Heart has converted both levels to classrooms. A hexagonal shaft, with a spiral staircase, connects Otto Kahn's former third-floor bedroom and his fourth-floor study (the latter of which serves as a library for the school) On the fifth floor are rooms with vaulted ceilings, glass walls, and doors leading to a rooftop deck.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> There was also a penthouse overlooking Central Park.<ref name="p101251965" /> The Convent of the Sacred Heart's lower-school annex, at the northeast corner of the house, includes a library, classrooms, and offices.<ref name="NPS pp. 7–8" /> This annex also has a connection to the Burden House's rear rooms.<ref name="NPS p. 5">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=5}}</ref>
On the third and fourth stories, there were 15 bedrooms, each with ''[[en suite]]'' dressing rooms and bathrooms.<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> The third story initially featured the Kahn family's bedrooms, while the fourth story consisted of servants' bedrooms;<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> there was also an artist's [[atelier]] and a nursery.<ref name="The New York Times 1984 w798" /> The Convent of the Sacred Heart has converted both levels to classrooms. A hexagonal shaft, with a spiral staircase, connects Otto Kahn's former third-floor bedroom and his fourth-floor study (the latter of which serves as a library for the school). On the fifth floor are rooms with vaulted ceilings, glass walls, and doors leading to a rooftop deck.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> There was also a penthouse overlooking Central Park.<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> The Convent of the Sacred Heart's lower-school annex, at the northeast corner of the house, includes a library, classrooms, and offices.<ref name="NPS pp. 7–8" /> This annex also has a connection to the Burden House's rear rooms.<ref name="NPS p. 5">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=5}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
In December 1898, the industrialist [[Andrew Carnegie]] bought all of the lots on Fifth Avenue between 90th and 92nd streets, with the intent of building his mansion on some of these plots.<ref name="n139034268">{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1898 |title=Palace for Carnegie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-palace-for-carnegie/139034268/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Star-Gazette |pages=1 |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118214108/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-palace-for-carnegie/139034268/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Carnegie ultimately decided to erect his mansion only on the plots between 90th and 91st streets.<ref name="The Sun 1899">{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1899 |title=Real Estate News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-real-estate-news/139039338/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118215616/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-real-estate-news/139039338/ |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=9 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=May 28, 1899 |title=In the Real Estate Field; Upper Fifth Avenue Purchases Overshadow Other Dealings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/28/archives/in-the-real-estate-field-upper-fifth-avenue-purchases-overshadow.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118211332/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/28/archives/in-the-real-estate-field-upper-fifth-avenue-purchases-overshadow.html |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He retained ownership of several nearby lots to protect his home's value,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 1917 |title=Difficulty in Protecting Private Home Centres Shown in Andrew Carnegie's Fifth Avenue Purchase: Wooden Refreshment Shanty on Ninetieth Street Corner Likely to Give Way in Near Future to a Fine Residence; Otto H. Kahn's New House on Ninety-first Street a Noteworthy Addition to That Locality; Apartment House Menace. |work=The New York Times |page=XX5 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|99962941}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=January 30, 1916 |title=Big Sums Spent to Keep Away Trade from Homes: ... Find It Necessary to Make Many Protective Purchases—Morgan and Vanderbilt Lose After Fighting for Years—Carnegie Successful in Getting Congenial Neighbors |work=New-York Tribune |page=B11 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575531598}}}}</ref><ref name="GB p. 284">{{harvnb|Gray|Braley|2003|ps=.|p=284}}</ref> selling them only to "congenial neighbors".<ref name="nyt-2014-03-20">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=March 20, 2014 |title=The Grandest Block in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127022158/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 10"/> Carnegie sold four land lots on 91st Street to the businessman [[William Douglas Sloane]] in December 1900, which became the Burden and Hammond houses, the residences of two of Sloane's daughters.<ref name="GB p. 284" /><ref name="The New York Times 1900 y669">{{cite web |date=December 22, 1900 |title=Extreme Penalty for Zeimer; Divorce Mill Man Sentenced to Ten Years in State Prison. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/12/22/archives/extreme-penalty-for-zeimer-divorce-mill-man-sentenced-to-ten-years.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225559/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/12/22/archives/extreme-penalty-for-zeimer-divorce-mill-man-sentenced-to-ten-years.html |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 22, 1900 |title=Real Estate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-real-estate/139046385/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225600/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-real-estate/139046385/ |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=14 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 10">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=10}}</ref> Carnegie tried to split up the parcel at the northeast corner of 91st Street and Fifth Avenue in 1906, with plans to sell half of it to the politician [[Lloyd Bryce|Lloyd S. Bryce]].<ref name="NPS pp. 10–11">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=10–11}}</ref> Sloane and his daughters all opposed the sale,<ref name="The New York Times 1906 j307">{{cite web |date=February 28, 1906 |title=Would Enjoin Carnegie in Real Estate Deal; W.D. Sloane and Daughters-in-Law Allege Broken Agreement |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/02/28/archives/would-enjoin-carnegie-in-real-estate-deal-wd-sloane-and.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119223710/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/02/28/archives/would-enjoin-carnegie-in-real-estate-deal-wd-sloane-and.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=February 28, 1906 |title=War on Mr. Carnegie: Neighbors Seek to Prevent Sale of Plot to General Bryce |work=New-York Tribune |page=7 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571798131}}}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 11">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=11}}</ref> and they filed a lawsuit which prevented Carnegie from selling that plot to anyone.<ref name="n139857519">{{Cite news |date=July 3, 1913 |title=Ends Suit Against Carnegie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-ends-suit-against-carnegie/139857519/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=14 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-ends-suit-against-carnegie/139857519/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bryce decided not to buy the corner parcel.<ref name="The New York Times 1906 v481">{{cite web |date=March 23, 1906 |title=May Not Buy Carnegie Plot; Gen. Bryce Purchases Property at Fifth Avenue, Near Eighty-third Street. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/03/23/archives/may-not-buy-carnegie-plot-gen-bryce-purchases-property-at-fifth.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119223710/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/03/23/archives/may-not-buy-carnegie-plot-gen-bryce-purchases-property-at-fifth.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=March 23, 1906 |title=Abandons Carnegie Site: General Bryce to Reproduce His Old Home |work=New-York Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571662228}}}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1913 i359">{{Cite news |date=July 1, 1913 |title=Mrs. Burden Gets 26 Inch Strip of Land |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-mrs-burden-gets-26-inch-strip-o/139183561/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127175956/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-mrs-burden-gets-26-inch-strip-o/139183561/ |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=1 |via=newspapers.com |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 1, 1913 |title=Andrew Carnegie Sells Plot on Fifth Avenue: Property on Northeast Corner of 91st Street May Be for Otto H. Kahn |work=New-York Tribune |page=7 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575150454}}}}</ref>
In December 1898, the industrialist [[Andrew Carnegie]] bought all of the lots on Fifth Avenue between 90th and 92nd streets, with the intent of building his mansion on some of these plots.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1898 |title=Palace for Carnegie |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-palace-for-carnegie/139034268/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Star-Gazette |pages=1 |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118214108/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-palace-for-carnegie/139034268/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Carnegie ultimately decided to erect his mansion only on the plots between 90th and 91st streets.<ref name="The Sun 1899">{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1899 |title=Real Estate News |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-real-estate-news/139039338/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118215616/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-real-estate-news/139039338/ |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=9 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=May 28, 1899 |title=In the Real Estate Field; Upper Fifth Avenue Purchases Overshadow Other Dealings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/28/archives/in-the-real-estate-field-upper-fifth-avenue-purchases-overshadow.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118211332/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/28/archives/in-the-real-estate-field-upper-fifth-avenue-purchases-overshadow.html |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> He retained ownership of several nearby lots to protect his home's value,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 1917 |title=Difficulty in Protecting Private Home Centres Shown in Andrew Carnegie's Fifth Avenue Purchase: Wooden Refreshment Shanty on Ninetieth Street Corner Likely to Give Way in Near Future to a Fine Residence; Otto H. Kahn's New House on Ninety-first Street a Noteworthy Addition to That Locality; Apartment House Menace. |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=XX5 |id={{ProQuest|99962941}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=January 30, 1916 |title=Big Sums Spent to Keep Away Trade from Homes: ... Find It Necessary to Make Many Protective Purchases—Morgan and Vanderbilt Lose After Fighting for Years—Carnegie Successful in Getting Congenial Neighbors |work=New-York Tribune |page=B11 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575531598}}}}</ref><ref name="GB p. 284">{{harvnb|Gray|Braley|2003|ps=.|p=284}}</ref> selling them only to "congenial neighbors".<ref name="nyt-2014-03-20">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=March 20, 2014 |title=The Grandest Block in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127022158/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/realestate/the-grandest-block-in-new-york.html |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US }}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 10" /> Carnegie sold four land lots on 91st Street to the businessman [[William Douglas Sloane]] in December 1900, which became the Burden and Hammond houses, the residences of two of Sloane's daughters.<ref name="GB p. 284" /><ref name="The New York Times 1900 y669">{{cite web |date=December 22, 1900 |title=Extreme Penalty for Zeimer; Divorce Mill Man Sentenced to Ten Years in State Prison. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/12/22/archives/extreme-penalty-for-zeimer-divorce-mill-man-sentenced-to-ten-years.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225559/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/12/22/archives/extreme-penalty-for-zeimer-divorce-mill-man-sentenced-to-ten-years.html |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 22, 1900 |title=Real Estate |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-real-estate/139046385/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225600/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-real-estate/139046385/ |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=14 }}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 10">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=10}}</ref> Carnegie tried to split up the parcel at the northeast corner of 91st Street and Fifth Avenue in 1906, with plans to sell half of it to the politician [[Lloyd Bryce|Lloyd S. Bryce]].<ref name="NPS pp. 10–11">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=10–11}}</ref> Sloane and his daughters all opposed the sale,<ref name="The New York Times 1906 j307">{{cite web |date=February 28, 1906 |title=Would Enjoin Carnegie in Real Estate Deal; W.D. Sloane and Daughters-in-Law Allege Broken Agreement |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/02/28/archives/would-enjoin-carnegie-in-real-estate-deal-wd-sloane-and.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119223710/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/02/28/archives/would-enjoin-carnegie-in-real-estate-deal-wd-sloane-and.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=February 28, 1906 |title=War on Mr. Carnegie: Neighbors Seek to Prevent Sale of Plot to General Bryce |work=New-York Tribune |page=7 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571798131}}}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 11">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=11}}</ref> and they filed a lawsuit which prevented Carnegie from selling that plot to anyone.<ref name="The Sun 1913a">{{Cite news |date=July 3, 1913 |title=Ends Suit Against Carnegie |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-ends-suit-against-carnegie/139857519/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=14 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-ends-suit-against-carnegie/139857519/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bryce decided not to buy the corner parcel.<ref name="The New York Times 1906 v481">{{cite web |date=March 23, 1906 |title=May Not Buy Carnegie Plot; Gen. Bryce Purchases Property at Fifth Avenue, Near Eighty-third Street. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/03/23/archives/may-not-buy-carnegie-plot-gen-bryce-purchases-property-at-fifth.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119223710/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/03/23/archives/may-not-buy-carnegie-plot-gen-bryce-purchases-property-at-fifth.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=March 23, 1906 |title=Abandons Carnegie Site: General Bryce to Reproduce His Old Home |work=New-York Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|571662228}}}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1913 i359">{{Cite news |date=July 1, 1913 |title=Mrs. Burden Gets 26 Inch Strip of Land |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-mrs-burden-gets-26-inch-strip-o/139183561/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127175956/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-mrs-burden-gets-26-inch-strip-o/139183561/ |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=The Sun |pages=1 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 1, 1913 |title=Andrew Carnegie Sells Plot on Fifth Avenue: Property on Northeast Corner of 91st Street May Be for Otto H. Kahn |work=New-York Tribune |page=7 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575150454}}}}</ref>


===Development===
===Development===
[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 09.jpg|thumb|Carriage entrance]]
[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 09.jpg|thumb|Carriage entrance]]
The Jewish-American financier [[Otto Hermann Kahn]] was the next owner of the lot at 91st Street and Fifth Avenue.<ref>{{harvnb|Kobler|1988|ps=.|p=3}}</ref><ref name="NPS pp. 14–16">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=14–16}}</ref> Kahn, who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1893, was a senior partner at the investment bank [[Kuhn, Loeb and Co.]].<ref name="GB p. 288" /> Despite Kahn's wealth, he and his family had relocated several times to avoid [[antisemitism]], which at the time was prevalent even in high society.<ref name="NPS pp. 14–16" /> Prior to buying the 91st Street lot, he had purchased a site twenty blocks south on 71st Street, next to the [[Henry Clay Frick House]],<ref name="The New York Times 1915 a226">{{cite web |date=September 30, 1915 |title=The Real Estate Field; Harold Thorne and I.T. Burden, Jr., Buy East Side Plot for New Homes ;- Pinkney Estate Sale of Eight Lots on Cathedral Parkway ;- Bronx Deals ;- Fifth Avenue Lease by Mrs. Aldrich. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/09/30/archives/the-real-estate-field-harold-thorne-and-it-burden-jr-buy-east-side.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023637/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/09/30/archives/the-real-estate-field-harold-thorne-and-it-burden-jr-buy-east-side.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and there were rumors that he would move out of the U.S. altogether.<ref name="n139859585">{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1914 |title=Stray Topics From Little Old New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-enquirer-stray-topics-from-l/139859585/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Buffalo Enquirer |pages=4 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023636/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-enquirer-stray-topics-from-l/139859585/ |url-status=live }}</ref> News media reported in May 1913 that Kahn had purchased the lot at the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 91st Street from Carnegie.<ref name="The New York Times 1913 g665">{{cite web |date=May 9, 1913 |title=The Real Estate Field; W.T. Evans Buys Twelve-story Apartment on Cathedral Parkway – Bleecker Street Corner in Old Greenwich Sold – Otto Kahn Is Carnegie Plot Buyer – Bronx and Suburban Deals. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/05/09/archives/the-real-estate-field-wt-evans-buys-twelvestory-apartment-on.html |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000527/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/05/09/archives/the-real-estate-field-wt-evans-buys-twelvestory-apartment-on.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=May 8, 1913 |title=Kahn Called Carnegie Buyer: Banker Reported to Have Acquired Property at 91st Street and Fifth Avenue for $800,000; Construction of New Home to Begin Soon. |work=New-York Tribune |page=9 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575108424}}}}</ref> Carnegie sold the corner of Fifth Avenue and 91st Street to the Lawyers' Realty Company (representing Kahn) in June 1913.<ref name="n139860613">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1914 |title=Plans for Kahn House |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-plans-for-kahn-house/139860613/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=14 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-plans-for-kahn-house/139860613/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kahn paid $725,000 and took a $675,000 mortgage loan from Carnegie.<ref name="p575264760">{{cite news |date=August 23, 1914 |title=Upward Trend of Prices in North Fifth Avenue: Values Have More than Doubled in Last Sixteen Years |work=New-York Tribune |page=C1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575264760}}}}</ref> After the Sloanes dropped their lawsuit against Carnegie,<ref name="n139857519" /> Kahn sold a {{convert|26|in|cm|-wide|adj=mid}} strip of land on the eastern side of the lot to the Burden family.<ref name="The New York Times 1913 i359" /> Having bought the 91st Street site, Kahn would sell off the 71st Street site in 1915.<ref name="r-7031148_056_00000783">{{cite magazine |date=October 2, 1915 |title=Banker Buys Home Site |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_056&page=ldpd_7031148_056_00000783&no=1 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=565 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=96 |number=2481 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023702/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_056&page=ldpd_7031148_056_00000783&no=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Jewish-American financier [[Otto Hermann Kahn]] was the next owner of the lot at 91st Street and Fifth Avenue.<ref>{{harvnb|Kobler|1988|ps=.|p=3}}</ref><ref name="NPS pp. 14–16">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|pp=14–16}}</ref> Kahn, who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1893, was a senior partner at the investment bank [[Kuhn, Loeb and Co.]].<ref name="GB p. 288" /> Despite Kahn's wealth, he and his family had relocated several times to avoid [[antisemitism]], which at the time was prevalent even in high society.<ref name="NPS pp. 14–16" /> Prior to buying the 91st Street lot, he had purchased a site twenty blocks south on 71st Street, next to the [[Henry Clay Frick House]],<ref name="The New York Times 1915 a226">{{cite web |date=September 30, 1915 |title=The Real Estate Field; Harold Thorne and I.T. Burden, Jr., Buy East Side Plot for New Homes ;- Pinkney Estate Sale of Eight Lots on Cathedral Parkway ;- Bronx Deals ;- Fifth Avenue Lease by Mrs. Aldrich. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/09/30/archives/the-real-estate-field-harold-thorne-and-it-burden-jr-buy-east-side.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023637/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/09/30/archives/the-real-estate-field-harold-thorne-and-it-burden-jr-buy-east-side.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and there were rumors that he would move out of the U.S. altogether.<ref name="The Buffalo Enquirer 1914">{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1914 |title=Stray Topics From Little Old New York |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-enquirer-stray-topics-from-l/139859585/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Buffalo Enquirer |pages=4 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023636/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-enquirer-stray-topics-from-l/139859585/ |url-status=live }}</ref> News media reported in May 1913 that Kahn had purchased the lot at the northeast corner of [[Fifth Avenue]] and 91st Street from Carnegie.<ref name="The New York Times 1913 g665">{{cite web |date=May 9, 1913 |title=The Real Estate Field; W.T. Evans Buys Twelve-story Apartment on Cathedral Parkway – Bleecker Street Corner in Old Greenwich Sold – Otto Kahn Is Carnegie Plot Buyer – Bronx and Suburban Deals. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/05/09/archives/the-real-estate-field-wt-evans-buys-twelvestory-apartment-on.html |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000527/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/05/09/archives/the-real-estate-field-wt-evans-buys-twelvestory-apartment-on.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=May 8, 1913 |title=Kahn Called Carnegie Buyer: Banker Reported to Have Acquired Property at 91st Street and Fifth Avenue for $800,000; Construction of New Home to Begin Soon. |work=New-York Tribune |page=9 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575108424}}}}</ref> Carnegie sold the corner of Fifth Avenue and 91st Street to the Lawyers' Realty Company (representing Kahn) in June 1913.<ref name="New-York Tribune 1914">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1914 |title=Plans for Kahn House |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-plans-for-kahn-house/139860613/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=New-York Tribune |pages=14 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-plans-for-kahn-house/139860613/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kahn paid $725,000 and took a $675,000 mortgage loan from Carnegie.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 23, 1914 |title=Upward Trend of Prices in North Fifth Avenue: Values Have More than Doubled in Last Sixteen Years |work=New-York Tribune |page=C1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575264760}}}}</ref> After the Sloanes dropped their lawsuit against Carnegie,<ref name="The Sun 1913a" /> Kahn sold a {{convert|26|in|cm|-wide|adj=mid}} strip of land on the eastern side of the lot to the Burden family.<ref name="The New York Times 1913 i359" /> Having bought the 91st Street site, Kahn would sell off the 71st Street site in 1915.<ref name="r-7031148_056_00000783">{{cite magazine |date=October 2, 1915 |title=Banker Buys Home Site |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_056&page=ldpd_7031148_056_00000783&no=1 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=565 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=96 |number=2481 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023702/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_056&page=ldpd_7031148_056_00000783&no=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Kahn hired Gilbert as the house's architect in August 1913,<ref name="n139849069" /><ref name="n139849224" /> and Gilbert designed a four-story, classical-style structure surrounded by open spaces.<ref name="n139849224" /><ref name="n139860613" /> Kahn also planned to import some European woodwork, so the dimensions of the house's rooms were designed specifically to fit this woodwork.<ref name="r-7031148_052_00000395">{{cite magazine |date=July 5, 1913 |title=O. H. Kahn's New Mansion |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000395&no=2 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=319 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=92 |number=2364 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000543/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000395&no=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also planned to import French stone.<ref name="n139859585" /> Workers began excavating the site in August 1913,<ref name="n139849069" /> and excavations were complete by the end of the year.<ref name="The New York Times 1913 y899">{{cite web |date=December 7, 1913 |title=The Private Home Centre is Advancing Up Fifth Avenue |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/12/07/archives/the-private-home-centre-is-advancing-up-fifth-avenue.html |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000526/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/12/07/archives/the-private-home-centre-is-advancing-up-fifth-avenue.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Work was briefly halted before resuming in May 1914,<ref name="The New York Times 1914 n517">{{cite web |date=May 31, 1914 |title=Fine Additions to Residence Area in Upper Fifth Avenue Locality; Expensive Home for Mrs. Amory S. Carhart Nearing Completion in Ninety-fifth Street – Activity in Long Deserted Section – Novel Addition to Archer M. Huntington's Fifth Avenue Dwelling. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/31/archives/fine-additions-to-residence-area-in-upper-fifth-avenue-locality.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023638/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/31/archives/fine-additions-to-residence-area-in-upper-fifth-avenue-locality.html |url-status=live }}</ref> although Gilbert had still not received bids for the house's construction at the time.<ref name="r-7031148_053_00001040">{{cite magazine |date=May 2, 1914 |title=To Figure on Kahn Residence by July |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_053&page=ldpd_7031148_053_00001040&no=2 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=792 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=93 |number=2407 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023710/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_053&page=ldpd_7031148_053_00001040&no=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, [[René Sergent]] was hired as consulting engineer, while the [[Thompson–Starrett Company]] was hired as the general contractor.<ref name="r-7031148_054_00000542">{{cite magazine |date=October 3, 1914 |title=Dwellings |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_054&page=ldpd_7031148_054_00000542&no=6 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=570 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=94 |number=2429 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023725/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_054&page=ldpd_7031148_054_00000542&no=6 |url-status=live }}</ref> Work commenced in July 1914,<ref name="n139860613" /> but the foundations were still not complete by late 1915.<ref name="The New York Times 1915 a600">{{cite web |date=November 21, 1915 |title=New Residences on Upper Fifth Avenue Types of Good Architectural Taste; C. Ledyard Blair's Colonial Home, Opposite Frick Mansion, a Noteworthy Improvement to the Lenox Hill Centre; Fine Addition to the Brokaw Family Group; Other Interesting Examples. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/11/21/archives/new-residences-on-upper-fifth-avenue-types-of-good-architectural.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023636/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/11/21/archives/new-residences-on-upper-fifth-avenue-types-of-good-architectural.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction of the house itself had begun by early 1916;<ref name="The New York Times 1916 j644">{{cite web |date=February 29, 1916 |title=Kahn Home to Cost Million; Details Country House at Cold Spring Harbor Announced. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1916/02/29/archives/kahn-home-to-cost-million-details-country-house-at-cold-spring.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=March 1, 1916 |title=Mr. Kahn's Two Homes |work=Stone |page=138 |volume=37 |issue=3 |id={{Pq|910642751}}}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' said the same year that Kahn's house was one of the largest to be built in the neighborhood in several years.<ref name="The New York Times 1916 k176">{{cite web |date=July 23, 1916 |title=Private Homes on Carnegie Hill; Northern Boundary of Fifth Avenue's Desirable Section Showing Genuine Activity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1916/07/23/archives/private-homes-on-carnegie-hill-northern-boundary-of-fifth-avenues.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020251/https://www.nytimes.com/1916/07/23/archives/private-homes-on-carnegie-hill-northern-boundary-of-fifth-avenues.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Kahn House was nearly completed by early 1917,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 1917 |title=Difficulty in Protecting Private Home Centres Shown in Andrew Carnegie's Fifth Avenue Purchase: Wooden Refreshment Shanty on Ninetieth Street Corner Likely to Give Way in Near Future to a Fine Residence; Otto H. Kahn's New House on Ninety-first Street a Noteworthy Addition to That Locality; Apartment House Menace. |work=The New York Times |page=XX5 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|99962941}}}}</ref> though Kahn was still listed as living on 68th Street.<ref name="The New York Times 1917 d378">{{cite web |date=March 29, 1917 |title=Otto H. Kahn Now American Citizen; Banker Passes Final Examination Before Judge at Morristown, N. J. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/03/29/archives/otto-h-kahn-now-american-citizen-banker-passes-final-examination.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020250/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/03/29/archives/otto-h-kahn-now-american-citizen-banker-passes-final-examination.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Kahn hired Gilbert as the house's architect in August 1913,<ref name="New-York Tribune 1913" /><ref name="The Sun 1913" /> and Gilbert designed a four-story, classical-style structure surrounded by open spaces.<ref name="The Sun 1913" /><ref name="New-York Tribune 1914" /> Kahn also planned to import some European woodwork, so the dimensions of the house's rooms were designed specifically to fit this woodwork.<ref name="r-7031148_052_00000395">{{cite magazine |date=July 5, 1913 |title=O. H. Kahn's New Mansion |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000395&no=2 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=319 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=92 |number=2364 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000543/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000395&no=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also planned to import French stone.<ref name="The Buffalo Enquirer 1914" /> Workers began excavating the site in August 1913,<ref name="New-York Tribune 1913" /> and excavations were complete by the end of the year.<ref name="The New York Times 1913 y899">{{cite web |date=December 7, 1913 |title=The Private Home Centre is Advancing Up Fifth Avenue |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/12/07/archives/the-private-home-centre-is-advancing-up-fifth-avenue.html |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130000526/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/12/07/archives/the-private-home-centre-is-advancing-up-fifth-avenue.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Work was briefly halted before resuming in May 1914,<ref name="The New York Times 1914 n517">{{cite web |date=May 31, 1914 |title=Fine Additions to Residence Area in Upper Fifth Avenue Locality; Expensive Home for Mrs. Amory S. Carhart Nearing Completion in Ninety-fifth Street – Activity in Long Deserted Section – Novel Addition to Archer M. Huntington's Fifth Avenue Dwelling. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/31/archives/fine-additions-to-residence-area-in-upper-fifth-avenue-locality.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023638/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/05/31/archives/fine-additions-to-residence-area-in-upper-fifth-avenue-locality.html |url-status=live }}</ref> although Gilbert had still not received bids for the house's construction at the time.<ref name="r-7031148_053_00001040">{{cite magazine |date=May 2, 1914 |title=To Figure on Kahn Residence by July |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_053&page=ldpd_7031148_053_00001040&no=2 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=792 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=93 |number=2407 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023710/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_053&page=ldpd_7031148_053_00001040&no=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, [[René Sergent]] was hired as a consulting engineer, while the [[Thompson–Starrett Company]] was hired as the general contractor.<ref name="r-7031148_054_00000542">{{cite magazine |date=October 3, 1914 |title=Dwellings |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_054&page=ldpd_7031148_054_00000542&no=6 |magazine=The Real Estate Record: Real estate record and builders' guide |pages=570 |via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]] |volume=94 |number=2429 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023725/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_054&page=ldpd_7031148_054_00000542&no=6 |url-status=live }}</ref> Work commenced in July 1914,<ref name="New-York Tribune 1914" /> but the foundations were still not complete by late 1915.<ref name="The New York Times 1915 a600">{{cite web |date=November 21, 1915 |title=New Residences on Upper Fifth Avenue Types of Good Architectural Taste; C. Ledyard Blair's Colonial Home, Opposite Frick Mansion, a Noteworthy Improvement to the Lenox Hill Centre; Fine Addition to the Brokaw Family Group; Other Interesting Examples. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/11/21/archives/new-residences-on-upper-fifth-avenue-types-of-good-architectural.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023636/https://www.nytimes.com/1915/11/21/archives/new-residences-on-upper-fifth-avenue-types-of-good-architectural.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction of the house itself had begun by early 1916;<ref name="The New York Times 1916 j644">{{cite web |date=February 29, 1916 |title=Kahn Home to Cost Million; Details Country House at Cold Spring Harbor Announced. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1916/02/29/archives/kahn-home-to-cost-million-details-country-house-at-cold-spring.html |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=March 1, 1916 |title=Mr. Kahn's Two Homes |magazine=Stone |page=138 |volume=37 |issue=3 |id={{ProQuest|910642751}}}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' said the same year that Kahn's house was one of the largest to be built in the neighborhood in several years.<ref name="The New York Times 1916 k176">{{cite web |date=July 23, 1916 |title=Private Homes on Carnegie Hill; Northern Boundary of Fifth Avenue's Desirable Section Showing Genuine Activity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1916/07/23/archives/private-homes-on-carnegie-hill-northern-boundary-of-fifth-avenues.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020251/https://www.nytimes.com/1916/07/23/archives/private-homes-on-carnegie-hill-northern-boundary-of-fifth-avenues.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Kahn House was nearly completed by early 1917,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 1917 |title=Difficulty in Protecting Private Home Centres Shown in Andrew Carnegie's Fifth Avenue Purchase: Wooden Refreshment Shanty on Ninetieth Street Corner Likely to Give Way in Near Future to a Fine Residence; Otto H. Kahn's New House on Ninety-first Street a Noteworthy Addition to That Locality; Apartment House Menace. |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=XX5 |id={{ProQuest|99962941}}}}</ref> though Kahn was still listed as living on 68th Street.<ref name="The New York Times 1917 d378">{{cite web |date=March 29, 1917 |title=Otto H. Kahn Now American Citizen; Banker Passes Final Examination Before Judge at Morristown, N. J. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/03/29/archives/otto-h-kahn-now-american-citizen-banker-passes-final-examination.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020250/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/03/29/archives/otto-h-kahn-now-american-citizen-banker-passes-final-examination.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Use as residence ===
=== Use as residence ===
Otto Kahn's house was completed around 1918,<ref name="NYCL p. 1">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|ps=.|p=1}}</ref><ref name="GB p. 288" /> and his family was hosting events at the house by that March.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 23, 1918 |title=Notes of the Social World |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-notes-of-the-social-worl/140126219/ |access-date=February 2, 2024 |work=New York Herald |pages=7 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-notes-of-the-social-worl/140126219/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He, his wife Adelaide (Addie), and their children Maud, Margaret, Gilbert, and [[Roger Wolfe Kahn|Roger]] mainly lived at the 91st Street mansion afterward.<ref name="p2316162333" /><ref name="NPS p. 16" /> They also maintained a suburban estate, [[Oheka Castle]] in [[Long Island]], which they used during the summers.<ref name="NPS p. 16">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=16}}</ref> The 91st Street mansion housed the family's 22 servants as well.<ref name="GB p. 288" /> Twelve of the servants worked for Addie Kahn, and they served tea in her dressing room every day even if she was not there.<ref name="p1611977699">{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Russell |date=March 5, 1957 |title=290 Smiths, 6 Vanderbilts, 5 Astors |work=The Atlanta Constitution |page=18 |id={{Pq|1611977699}}}}</ref> Otto Kahn, who was a major donor to French charities during World War I, also invited French sailors and troops to his house.<ref name="The New York Times 1918 u859">{{cite web |date=August 1, 1918 |title=O.H. Kahn Decorated by French Republic |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/08/01/archives/oh-kahn-decorated-by-french-republic.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020250/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/08/01/archives/oh-kahn-decorated-by-french-republic.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite Kahn's extreme wealth (which enabled him to be one of the [[Metropolitan Opera]]'s primary donors),<ref name="GB p. 288" /><ref name="NPS p. 16" /> he took [[New York City Subway|the subway]] from his house to his office in [[Lower Manhattan]] each day.<ref name="p885137637">{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1931 |title=Otto Kahn: Financier and Patron of Art |work=Jewish Advocate |page=A2 |id={{pq|885137637}}}}</ref> The house was decorated with paintings from Kahn's art collection, such as [[Vittore Carpaccio]]'s late-15th-century portrait ''St. Eustace'', in addition to tapestries.<ref name="nyt-1935-03-23">{{Cite news |date=March 23, 1935 |title=Otto H. Kahn's Heirs Sell Rare Painting; Carpaccio's 'St. Eustace,' Said to Have Cost $250,000, Reported Bought by Swiss Baron. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/23/archives/otto-h-kahns-heirs-sell-rare-painting-carpaccios-st-eustace-said-to.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172657/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/23/archives/otto-h-kahns-heirs-sell-rare-painting-carpaccios-st-eustace-said-to.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1919, the first full year after the house was finished, it was valued at $1.35 million.<ref name="p101251965" />
Otto Kahn's house was completed around 1918,<ref name="NYCL p. 1">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|ps=.|p=1}}</ref><ref name="GB p. 288" /> and his family was hosting events at the house by that March.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 23, 1918 |title=Notes of the Social World |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-notes-of-the-social-worl/140126219/ |access-date=February 2, 2024 |work=New York Herald |pages=7 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-notes-of-the-social-worl/140126219/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He, his wife Adelaide (Addie), and their children Maud, Margaret, Gilbert, and [[Roger Wolfe Kahn|Roger]] mainly lived at the 91st Street mansion afterward.<ref name="Ruhling 1991" /><ref name="NPS p. 16" /> They also maintained a suburban estate, [[Oheka Castle]] in [[Long Island]], which they used during the summers.<ref name="NPS p. 16">{{harvnb|National Park Service|2006|ps=.|p=16}}</ref> The 91st Street mansion housed the family's 22 servants as well.<ref name="GB p. 288" /> Twelve of the servants worked for Addie Kahn, and they served tea in her dressing room every day even if she was not there.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Russell |date=March 5, 1957 |title=290 Smiths, 6 Vanderbilts, 5 Astors |work=The Atlanta Constitution |page=18 |id={{ProQuest|1611977699}}}}</ref> Otto Kahn, who was a major donor to French charities during World War I, also invited French sailors and troops to his house.<ref name="The New York Times 1918 u859">{{cite web |date=August 1, 1918 |title=O.H. Kahn Decorated by French Republic |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/08/01/archives/oh-kahn-decorated-by-french-republic.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020250/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/08/01/archives/oh-kahn-decorated-by-french-republic.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite Kahn's extreme wealth,<ref name="GB p. 288" /><ref name="NPS p. 16" /> he took [[New York City Subway|the subway]] from his house to his office in [[Lower Manhattan]] each day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1931 |title=Otto Kahn: Financier and Patron of Art |work=Jewish Advocate |page=A2 |id={{ProQuest|885137637}}}}</ref> The house was decorated with tapestries, in addition to paintings from Kahn's art collection, such as [[Vittore Carpaccio]]'s late-15th-century portrait ''St. Eustace''.<ref name="nyt-1935-03-23">{{Cite news |date=March 23, 1935 |title=Otto H. Kahn's Heirs Sell Rare Painting; Carpaccio's 'St. Eustace,' Said to Have Cost $250,000, Reported Bought by Swiss Baron. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/23/archives/otto-h-kahns-heirs-sell-rare-painting-carpaccios-st-eustace-said-to.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172657/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/23/archives/otto-h-kahns-heirs-sell-rare-painting-carpaccios-st-eustace-said-to.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1919, the first full year after the house was finished, it was valued at $1.35 million.<ref name="Cooper 1934" />
[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 13.jpg|thumb|Windows on the second and third stories]]
In the house's early years, the Kahns frequently hosted theatrical figures and financiers in the ballroom.<ref name="The New York Times 1977 d319">{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Laurie |date=October 7, 1977 |title=Return to the Age of Elegance |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/07/archives/return-to-the-age-of-elegance-reliving-east-sides-age-of-elegance.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220001717/http://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/07/archives/return-to-the-age-of-elegance-reliving-east-sides-age-of-elegance.html |url-status=live }}</ref> One frequent dinner guest was the tenor [[Enrico Caruso]], whose advice Kahn often sought.<ref name="Matz 2023 r643">{{cite web |last=Matz |first=Mary Jane |date=1963 |title=The Many Lives Of Otto Kahn |url=https://archive.org/details/manylivesofottok017970mbp |publisher=The Macmillan Company |page=80 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The house hosted events such as a debutante ball for the Kahns' daughter Margaret in 1920,<ref name="The New York Times 1920 p039">{{cite web |date=January 2, 1920 |title=Miss Kahn Makes Debut; Mr. and Mrs. Otto H. Kahn Give a Dance for Daughter. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/01/02/archives/miss-kahn-makes-debut-mr-and-mrs-otto-h-kahn-give-a-dance-for.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020251/https://www.nytimes.com/1920/01/02/archives/miss-kahn-makes-debut-mr-and-mrs-otto-h-kahn-give-a-dance-for.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=January 2, 1920 |title=Margaret Kahn Introduced at Holiday Dance: More Than 250 of Younger Set Attend Affair for Daughter of Mrs. Otto Kahn at Fifth Ave. Home Mrs. Solley Entertains Mrs. Vernon Siems Becomes Wife of Rushton Peabody; Miss Amy Sparks Engaged |work=New-York Tribune |page=9 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|576197249}}}}</ref> an exhibition of Persian art in 1927,<ref name="The New York Times 1927 u417">{{cite web |date=December 21, 1927 |title=Persian Art Displayed; Private Show and Sale Held In Home of Otto H. Kahn. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/12/21/archives/persian-art-displayed-private-show-and-sale-held-in-home-of-otto-h.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/12/21/archives/persian-art-displayed-private-show-and-sale-held-in-home-of-otto-h.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and Margaret's wedding in 1928.<ref name="The New York Times 1928 t092">{{cite web |date=February 10, 1928 |title=Margaret D. Kahn Weds J.B. Ryan Jr.; Principals in Society Wedding. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/02/10/archives/margaret-d-kahn-weds-jb-ryan-jr-principals-in-society-wedding.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203010203/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/02/10/archives/margaret-d-kahn-weds-jb-ryan-jr-principals-in-society-wedding.html |url-status=live }}</ref> When Otto and Addie's youngest son Roger formed a jazz orchestra in 1924, the orchestra practiced in the mansion.<ref name="p1221627291">{{cite news |date=February 23, 1924 |title=Jazz Band of Otto Kahn's Son To Make Debut at Grill Tuesday |work=New-York Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1221627291}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 8, 1924 |title=Son Of Otto H. Kahn, Financier, To Earn Living With Jazz Band: Rehearsals Of Syncopators Being Held Daily In Millionaire's Fifth Avenue Mansion—Vaudeville Engagement Planned Soon |work=The Sun |page=1 |id={{pq|537156856}}}}</ref> Other events hosted at the house during the 1920s included musical and dance performances;<ref name="p576187541">See, for example: {{cite news |date=January 4, 1920 |title=Kurt Schindler to Conduct a Musicale: Third of Series Will Be Given at Home of Mrs. Otto Kahn on Thursday |work=New-York Tribune |page=C3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|576187541}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 12, 1922 |title=Schola Cantorum Ready For Lecture Musicales: Series Will Be Given at Various Private Houses; Course Is Announced |work=New-York Tribune |page=C3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|576707623}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=December 8, 1923 |title=Mrs. James M'Vicar Hostess at Dance; Parties Also Given by Mrs. Otto H. Kahn and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Cooper. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000355/https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1113524884}} |title=Mary Lewis Will Sing At Mrs. Otto Kahn's Home: Extension Committee of Girls' Service League to Meet |date=March 6, 1927 |page=D1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646}}</ref> meetings;<ref name="The New York Times 1922 z542">See, for example: {{cite web |date=February 17, 1922 |title=Mothers Complain that Modern Girls "Vamp" Their Sons at Petting Parties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/02/17/archives/mothers-complain-that-modern-girls-vamp-their-sons-at-petting.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.nytimes.com/1922/02/17/archives/mothers-complain-that-modern-girls-vamp-their-sons-at-petting.html |url-status=live }}</ref> charitable benefits;<ref name="The New York Times 1924 t472">See, for example: {{cite web |date=March 30, 1924 |title=For Sutton Place House; Special Performance of "The Goose Hangs High" to Aid This Institution |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/03/30/archives/for-sutton-place-house-special-performance-of-the-goose-hangs-high.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and parties.<ref name="The New York Times 1923 m617">See, for example: {{cite web |date=December 8, 1923 |title=Mrs. James M'Vicar Hostess at Dance; Parties Also Given by Mrs. Otto H. Kahn and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Cooper. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000355/https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Because the house did not have its own garage, Kahn hired Gilbert in 1927 to design a 10-car garage for him at 422 East 89th Street. <ref name="Gray 2009">{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=June 11, 2009 |title=A Mansion for Me, Another for My Cars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/realestate/14scapes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820162020/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/realestate/14scapes.html |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


In the house's early years, the Kahns frequently hosted theatrical figures and financiers in the ballroom.<ref name="The New York Times 1977 d319">{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Laurie |date=October 7, 1977 |title=Return to the Age of Elegance |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/07/archives/return-to-the-age-of-elegance-reliving-east-sides-age-of-elegance.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220001717/http://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/07/archives/return-to-the-age-of-elegance-reliving-east-sides-age-of-elegance.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The house hosted events such as a debutante ball for the Kahns' daughter Margaret in 1920,<ref name="The New York Times 1920 p039">{{cite web |date=January 2, 1920 |title=Miss Kahn Makes Debut; Mr. and Mrs. Otto H. Kahn Give a Dance for Daughter. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/01/02/archives/miss-kahn-makes-debut-mr-and-mrs-otto-h-kahn-give-a-dance-for.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202020251/https://www.nytimes.com/1920/01/02/archives/miss-kahn-makes-debut-mr-and-mrs-otto-h-kahn-give-a-dance-for.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=January 2, 1920 |title=Margaret Kahn Introduced at Holiday Dance: More Than 250 of Younger Set Attend Affair for Daughter of Mrs. Otto Kahn at Fifth Ave. Home Mrs. Solley Entertains Mrs. Vernon Siems Becomes Wife of Rushton Peabody; Miss Amy Sparks Engaged |work=New-York Tribune |page=9 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|576197249}}}}</ref> an exhibition of Persian art in 1927,<ref name="The New York Times 1927 u417">{{cite web |date=December 21, 1927 |title=Persian Art Displayed; Private Show and Sale Held In Home of Otto H. Kahn. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/12/21/archives/persian-art-displayed-private-show-and-sale-held-in-home-of-otto-h.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/12/21/archives/persian-art-displayed-private-show-and-sale-held-in-home-of-otto-h.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and Margaret's wedding in 1928.<ref name="The New York Times 1928 t092">{{cite web |date=February 10, 1928 |title=Margaret D. Kahn Weds J.B. Ryan Jr.; Principals in Society Wedding. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/02/10/archives/margaret-d-kahn-weds-jb-ryan-jr-principals-in-society-wedding.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203010203/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/02/10/archives/margaret-d-kahn-weds-jb-ryan-jr-principals-in-society-wedding.html |url-status=live }}</ref> When Otto and Addie's youngest son Roger formed a jazz orchestra in 1924, the orchestra practiced in the mansion.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 23, 1924 |title=Jazz Band of Otto Kahn's Son To Make Debut at Grill Tuesday |work=New-York Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1221627291}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 8, 1924 |title=Son Of Otto H. Kahn, Financier, To Earn Living With Jazz Band: Rehearsals Of Syncopators Being Held Daily In Millionaire's Fifth Avenue Mansion—Vaudeville Engagement Planned Soon |work=The Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|537156856}}}}</ref> Other events hosted at the house during the 1920s included musical and dance performances;<ref>See, for example: {{cite news |date=January 4, 1920 |title=Kurt Schindler to Conduct a Musicale: Third of Series Will Be Given at Home of Mrs. Otto Kahn on Thursday |work=New-York Tribune |page=C3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|576187541}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 12, 1922 |title=Schola Cantorum Ready For Lecture Musicales: Series Will Be Given at Various Private Houses; Course Is Announced |work=New-York Tribune |page=C3 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|576707623}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=December 8, 1923 |title=Mrs. James M'Vicar Hostess at Dance; Parties Also Given by Mrs. Otto H. Kahn and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Cooper. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000355/https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1113524884}} |title=Mary Lewis Will Sing At Mrs. Otto Kahn's Home: Extension Committee of Girls' Service League to Meet |date=March 6, 1927 |page=D1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646}}</ref> meetings;<ref name="The New York Times 1922 z542">See, for example: {{cite web |date=February 17, 1922 |title=Mothers Complain that Modern Girls "Vamp" Their Sons at Petting Parties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/02/17/archives/mothers-complain-that-modern-girls-vamp-their-sons-at-petting.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.nytimes.com/1922/02/17/archives/mothers-complain-that-modern-girls-vamp-their-sons-at-petting.html |url-status=live }}</ref> charitable benefits;<ref name="The New York Times 1924 t472">See, for example: {{cite web |date=March 30, 1924 |title=For Sutton Place House; Special Performance of "The Goose Hangs High" to Aid This Institution |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/03/30/archives/for-sutton-place-house-special-performance-of-the-goose-hangs-high.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and parties.<ref name="The New York Times 1923 m617">See, for example: {{cite web |date=December 8, 1923 |title=Mrs. James M'Vicar Hostess at Dance; Parties Also Given by Mrs. Otto H. Kahn and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Cooper. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000355/https://www.nytimes.com/1923/12/08/archives/mrs-james-mvicar-hostess-at-dance-parties-also-given-by-mrs-otto-h.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Because the house did not have its own garage, Kahn hired Gilbert in 1927 to design a 10-car garage for him at 422 East 89th Street. <ref name="Gray 2009">{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=June 11, 2009 |title=A Mansion for Me, Another for My Cars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/realestate/14scapes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820162020/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/realestate/14scapes.html |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref>
By the late 1920s, many of Fifth Avenue's mansions were being demolished to make way for apartments; although the Kahn House remained standing, an adjacent house had been replaced with a 13-story apartment building.<ref name="The New York Times 1929 c274">{{cite web |date=December 1, 1929 |title=Fifth Avenue's Private Home Row Giving Way to More Apartments; Five Tall Multi-Family Dwelling Operations Now Under Way Facing Central Park—High Character of Improvements Assures Residential Permanence. Private Homes Going. Spectacular Changes. Carnegie Hill Centre. Fifth Avenue's Private Home Row Giving Way to More Apartments Brokaw Home Corner. Surviving Private Homes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/01/archives/fifth-avenues-private-home-row-giving-way-to-more-apartments-five.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203010203/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/01/archives/fifth-avenues-private-home-row-giving-way-to-more-apartments-five.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kahn reportedly lost over $50 million during the [[Wall Street Crash of 1929]], although the family retained ownership of the house.<ref name="NPS p. 16" /> The house continued to host events in the early 1930s, including a recital by [[Alexis Obolensky]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 23, 1930 |title=An Opera Matinee for Students; Performance of "Aida" at Reduced Prices Is Being Arranged by the Fine Arts Committee |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/02/23/archives/an-opera-matinee-for-students-performance-of-aida-at-reduced-prices.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172655/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/02/23/archives/an-opera-matinee-for-students-performance-of-aida-at-reduced-prices.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and business dinners.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1931 |title=Financiers Attend Kahn Dinner to Macy; Friends of Hoover and Business Leaders at Rally for Party's State Organization. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/01/06/archives/financiers-attend-kahn-dinner-to-macy-friends-of-hoover-and.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


The [[Convent of the Sacred Heart (New York City)|Convent of the Sacred Heart]], a private girls' school,<ref name="p1242989659">{{cite news |date=May 12, 1934 |title=Suit Presages Sale of Kahn's 5th Av. Home: Defense Answers to Action to Remove Restrictions on Property Withdrawn |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1242989659}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 12, 1934 |title=Suit Reveals Plan to Sell Kahn Home; Court Asked to Remove Restrictions to Permit Use of 5th Av. Home as School |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/12/archives/suit-reveals-plan-to-sell-kahn-home-court-asked-to-remove.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172657/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/12/archives/suit-reveals-plan-to-sell-kahn-home-court-asked-to-remove.html |url-status=live }}</ref> began negotiating for the house in 1932.<ref name="nyt-1934-05-17">{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1934 |title=54th Street Site Figures In Kahn Residence Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/17/archives/54th-street-site-figures-in-kahn-residence-deal.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172655/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/17/archives/54th-street-site-figures-in-kahn-residence-deal.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kahn negotiated a tentative agreement with the school in early 1934, one month before he died.<ref name="p101251965" /> Kahn died in March 1934 after a heart attack;<ref name="p1114810609">{{cite news |date=March 30, 1934 |title=Otto H. Kahn Dies Of Heart Attack at Luncheon in Office: Banker, Arts Patron and Philanthropist, 67, Is Stricken at Table With Kuhn, Loeb Partners In Physician's Care At Senate Inquiry Official News of Passing Withheld Until Closing of Exchange Although Street Gets It in Rumors Financier and Arts Patron |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114810609}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 30, 1934 |title=Otto Kahn, 67, Dies of Heart Attack in Bank's Offices; Banker and Arts Patron, Long Ill, Stricken at Luncheon With Kuhn, Loeb Partners |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/03/30/archives/otto-kahn-67-dies-of-heart-attack-in-banks-offices-banker-and-arts.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/03/30/archives/otto-kahn-67-dies-of-heart-attack-in-banks-offices-banker-and-arts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he bequeathed everything to his children and allowed them to sell his real estate.<ref name="p1114814061">{{cite news |date=April 17, 1934 |title=4 Children Get Entire Estate Of Otto H. Kahn: Will Explains Absence of Charity Gifts by Citing Donations in Lifetime |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114814061}}}}</ref> When he died, his real estate was valued at $216,375, excluding the 91st Street mansion.<ref name="The New York Times 1937 p184">{{cite web |date=January 1, 1937 |title=Otto H. Kahn Left $3,970,869 Estate; Banker's Severe Losses in the Depression Forced Him to Borrow From Family. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/01/archives/otto-h-kahn-left-3970869-estate-bankers-severe-losses-in-the.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> At the time of Kahn's death, the Kahn House and several other houses along the block were restricted to residential use because of a covenant placed by Andrew Carnegie.<ref name="p1242989659" /> The Oheka Corporation, representing Kahn's estate, filed a lawsuit in May 1934 to have the restriction removed so they could sell the house to the Convent of the Sacred Heart.<ref name="p1242989659" /> Kahn's neighbors did not oppose the sale,<ref name="nyt-1934-05-15">{{Cite news |date=May 15, 1934 |title=Sale of Kahn Home Unopposed. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/15/archives/sale-of-kahn-home-unopposed.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172656/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/15/archives/sale-of-kahn-home-unopposed.html |url-status=live }}</ref> provided that the height of the house was not increased.<ref name="p101251965" /> The restriction was thus lifted to allow the Kahn House to be sold.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=L. E. |date=May 20, 1934 |title=Kahn Sale Shows Trends in Realty: Well-known Mansion on Fifth Avenue Will Be Used for, Girls' School |work=The New York Times |page=RE1 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|101251965}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=May 17, 1934 |title=Kahn Dwelling Schoolhouse After June 1: Society of Sacred Heart Exchanges Madison Ave. Site for 5th Ave. Corner |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=38 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114824033}}}}</ref>
By the late 1920s, many of Fifth Avenue's mansions were being demolished to make way for apartments; although the Kahn House remained standing, an adjacent house had been replaced with a 13-story apartment building.<ref name="The New York Times 1929 c274">{{cite web |date=December 1, 1929 |title=Fifth Avenue's Private Home Row Giving Way to More Apartments; Five Tall Multi-Family Dwelling Operations Now Under Way Facing Central Park—High Character of Improvements Assures Residential Permanence. Private Homes Going. Spectacular Changes. Carnegie Hill Centre. Fifth Avenue's Private Home Row Giving Way to More Apartments Brokaw Home Corner. Surviving Private Homes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/01/archives/fifth-avenues-private-home-row-giving-way-to-more-apartments-five.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203010203/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/01/archives/fifth-avenues-private-home-row-giving-way-to-more-apartments-five.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kahn reportedly lost over $50 million during the [[Wall Street Crash of 1929]], although the family retained ownership of the house.<ref name="NPS p. 16" /> The house continued to host events in the early 1930s, including a recital by [[Alexis Obolensky]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 23, 1930 |title=An Opera Matinee for Students; Performance of "Aida" at Reduced Prices Is Being Arranged by the Fine Arts Committee |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/02/23/archives/an-opera-matinee-for-students-performance-of-aida-at-reduced-prices.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172655/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/02/23/archives/an-opera-matinee-for-students-performance-of-aida-at-reduced-prices.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and business dinners.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1931 |title=Financiers Attend Kahn Dinner to Macy; Friends of Hoover and Business Leaders at Rally for Party's State Organization. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/01/06/archives/financiers-attend-kahn-dinner-to-macy-friends-of-hoover-and.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US }}</ref>
The [[Convent of the Sacred Heart (New York City)|Convent of the Sacred Heart]], a private girls' school,<ref name="New York Herald Tribune 1934a">{{cite news |date=May 12, 1934 |title=Suit Presages Sale of Kahn's 5th Av. Home: Defense Answers to Action to Remove Restrictions on Property Withdrawn |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=4 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1242989659}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 12, 1934 |title=Suit Reveals Plan to Sell Kahn Home; Court Asked to Remove Restrictions to Permit Use of 5th Av. Home as School |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/12/archives/suit-reveals-plan-to-sell-kahn-home-court-asked-to-remove.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172657/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/12/archives/suit-reveals-plan-to-sell-kahn-home-court-asked-to-remove.html |url-status=live }}</ref> began negotiating for the house in 1932.<ref name="nyt-1934-05-17">{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1934 |title=54th Street Site Figures In Kahn Residence Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/17/archives/54th-street-site-figures-in-kahn-residence-deal.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172655/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/17/archives/54th-street-site-figures-in-kahn-residence-deal.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kahn negotiated a tentative agreement with the school in early 1934, one month before he died.<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> Kahn died in March 1934 after a heart attack;<ref>{{cite news |date=March 30, 1934 |title=Otto H. Kahn Dies Of Heart Attack at Luncheon in Office: Banker, Arts Patron and Philanthropist, 67, Is Stricken at Table With Kuhn, Loeb Partners In Physician's Care At Senate Inquiry Official News of Passing Withheld Until Closing of Exchange Although Street Gets It in Rumors Financier and Arts Patron |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114810609}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 30, 1934 |title=Otto Kahn, 67, Dies of Heart Attack in Bank's Offices; Banker and Arts Patron, Long Ill, Stricken at Luncheon With Kuhn, Loeb Partners |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/03/30/archives/otto-kahn-67-dies-of-heart-attack-in-banks-offices-banker-and-arts.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203000354/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/03/30/archives/otto-kahn-67-dies-of-heart-attack-in-banks-offices-banker-and-arts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he bequeathed everything to his children and allowed them to sell his real estate.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 17, 1934 |title=4 Children Get Entire Estate Of Otto H. Kahn: Will Explains Absence of Charity Gifts by Citing Donations in Lifetime |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114814061}}}}</ref> When he died, his real estate was valued at $216,375, excluding the 91st Street mansion.<ref name="The New York Times 1937 p184">{{cite web |date=January 1, 1937 |title=Otto H. Kahn Left $3,970,869 Estate; Banker's Severe Losses in the Depression Forced Him to Borrow From Family. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/01/archives/otto-h-kahn-left-3970869-estate-bankers-severe-losses-in-the.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At the time of Kahn's death, the Kahn House and several other houses along the block were restricted to residential use because of a covenant placed by Andrew Carnegie.<ref name="New York Herald Tribune 1934a" /> The Oheka Corporation, representing Kahn's estate, filed a lawsuit in May 1934 to have the restriction removed so they could sell the house to the Convent of the Sacred Heart.<ref name="New York Herald Tribune 1934a" /> Kahn's neighbors did not oppose the sale,<ref name="nyt-1934-05-15">{{Cite news |date=May 15, 1934 |title=Sale of Kahn Home Unopposed. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/15/archives/sale-of-kahn-home-unopposed.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172656/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/15/archives/sale-of-kahn-home-unopposed.html |url-status=live }}</ref> provided that the height of the house was not increased.<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> The restriction was thus lifted to allow the Kahn House to be sold.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=L. E. |date=May 20, 1934 |title=Kahn Sale Shows Trends in Realty: Well-known Mansion on Fifth Avenue Will Be Used for, Girls' School |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=RE1 |id={{ProQuest|101251965}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=May 17, 1934 |title=Kahn Dwelling Schoolhouse After June 1: Society of Sacred Heart Exchanges Madison Ave. Site for 5th Ave. Corner |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=38 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114824033}}}}</ref>


=== Use as school ===
=== Use as school ===
[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 34.jpg|thumb|Connection with the Burden House, constructed after the Convent of the Sacred Heart took over both houses]]
[[File:E 91 St Sep 2022 13.jpg|thumb|Windows on the second and third stories]]
In May 1934, the Convent of the Sacred Heart paid $900,000 for the house and sold its existing building on [[Madison Avenue]] to the Oheka Corporation.<ref name="p1114834810">{{cite news |date=June 10, 1934 |title=Kahn House on Fifth Avenue Figured at $900,000 in Deal |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=I1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114834810}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=June 10, 1934 |title=$900,000 for Kahn House: Estate, in Turn, Paid $750,000 for Sacred Heart Academy. |work=The New York Times |page=RE2 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|100921270}}}}</ref> One critic called the sale a sign of the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood,<ref name="p101251965" /> while the real-estate executive [[Lawrence B. Elliman]] described the Kahn House as one of the largest "disappearing New York mansions" that were being converted to non-residential uses.<ref name="p1242956658">{{cite news |last=Elliman |first=Lawrence B. |date=April 10, 1938 |title='Great Houses' of Manhattan Vanishing Rapidly, Elliman Says: Broker Calls Attention to Changes of Last Few Years on East Side Builders, Schools and Clubs Have Secured Homes of Many Famous Families Lawrence B. Elliman |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=C1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1242956658}}}}</ref> The school filed plans in May 1934 to convert the house into a school building for $15,000. The modifications, designed by Frederick Rinn, included a new basement entrance on Fifth Avenue, a mezzanine above one of the basement room, as well as a new [[refectory]], plumbing, and stairs.<ref name="p101246173">{{cite news |date=May 23, 1934 |title=Plans Filed to Alter Kahn Home Into School |work=The New York Times |page=35 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|101246173}}}}</ref> The Convent of the Sacred Heart did not have to pay taxes on the building because it was an educational and religious institution.<ref name="p101251965" /> The former ballroom became the school chapel.<ref name="The New York Times 1977 d319" /> In addition to classes, the school hosted events at the house, such as annual luncheons,<ref>See, for example: {{cite web |date=April 21, 1936 |title=Alumnae of Convent to Hold Party Today; Annual Luncheon Will Benefit Duchesne Placement Bureau for Former Students. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/21/archives/alumnae-of-convent-to-hold-party-today-annual-luncheon-will-benefit.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none }}; {{Cite news |date=April 20, 1937 |title=Alumnae Rally Today; Sacred Heart Convent Luncheon to Be Held at 1 East 91st St. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/20/archives/alumnae-rally-today-sacred-heart-convent-luncheon-to-be-held-at-1.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172654/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/20/archives/alumnae-rally-today-sacred-heart-convent-luncheon-to-be-held-at-1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> lectures,<ref>See, for example: {{cite web |date=March 31, 1938 |title=Hildreth Meiere to Lecture on Art; Address on Murals to Support Aid Placement Bureau |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/31/archives/hildreth-meiere-to-lecture-on-art-address-on-murals-to-support-aid.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309105804/https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/31/archives/hildreth-meiere-to-lecture-on-art-address-on-murals-to-support-aid.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |date=November 15, 1937 |title=Duchesne Group to Meet; Placement Bureau Benefits Will Be Planned at Tea Today |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/11/15/archives/duchesne-group-to-meet-placement-bureau-benefits-will-be-planned-at.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times }}</ref> and film screenings.<ref name="The New York Times 1936 f844">{{cite web |date=March 18, 1936 |title=Film of India Mission to Be Offered Today; Sound Movies Will Be on View at Convent of Sacred Heart for Lots for Little Shop. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/03/18/archives/film-of-india-mission-to-be-offered-today-sound-movies-will-be-on.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325070018/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/03/18/archives/film-of-india-mission-to-be-offered-today-sound-movies-will-be-on.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Every December, the school invited the public to attend [[Christmas tree]] lighting ceremonies in the lower stories.<ref name="GB p. 289">{{harvnb|Gray|Braley|2003|ps=.|p=289}}</ref>
In May 1934, the Convent of the Sacred Heart paid $900,000 for the house and sold its existing building on [[Madison Avenue]] to the Oheka Corporation.<ref name="New York Herald Tribune 1934">{{cite news |date=June 10, 1934 |title=Kahn House on Fifth Avenue Figured at $900,000 in Deal |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=I1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114834810}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=June 10, 1934 |title=$900,000 for Kahn House: Estate, in Turn, Paid $750,000 for Sacred Heart Academy. |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=RE2 |id={{ProQuest|100921270}}}}</ref> One critic called the sale a sign of the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood,<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> while the real-estate executive [[Lawrence B. Elliman]] described the Kahn House as one of the largest "disappearing New York mansions" that were being converted to non-residential uses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Elliman |first=Lawrence B. |date=April 10, 1938 |title='Great Houses' of Manhattan Vanishing Rapidly, Elliman Says: Broker Calls Attention to Changes of Last Few Years on East Side Builders, Schools and Clubs Have Secured Homes of Many Famous Families Lawrence B. Elliman |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=C1 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1242956658}}}}</ref> The school filed plans in May 1934 to convert the house into a school building for $15,000. The modifications, designed by Frederick Rinn, included a new basement entrance on [[Fifth Avenue]], a mezzanine above one of the basement rooms, as well as a new [[refectory]], plumbing, and stairs.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 23, 1934 |title=Plans Filed to Alter Kahn Home Into School |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=35 |id={{ProQuest|101246173}}}}</ref> The Convent of the Sacred Heart did not have to pay taxes on the building because it was an educational and religious institution.<ref name="Cooper 1934" /> The former ballroom became the school chapel.<ref name="The New York Times 1977 d319" /> In addition to classes, the school hosted events at the house, such as annual luncheons,<ref>See, for example: {{cite web |date=April 21, 1936 |title=Alumnae of Convent to Hold Party Today; Annual Luncheon Will Benefit Duchesne Placement Bureau for Former Students. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/21/archives/alumnae-of-convent-to-hold-party-today-annual-luncheon-will-benefit.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none }}; {{Cite news |date=April 20, 1937 |title=Alumnae Rally Today; Sacred Heart Convent Luncheon to Be Held at 1 East 91st St. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/20/archives/alumnae-rally-today-sacred-heart-convent-luncheon-to-be-held-at-1.html |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203172654/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/20/archives/alumnae-rally-today-sacred-heart-convent-luncheon-to-be-held-at-1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> lectures,<ref>See, for example: {{cite web |date=March 31, 1938 |title=Hildreth Meiere to Lecture on Art; Address on Murals to Support Aid Placement Bureau |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/31/archives/hildreth-meiere-to-lecture-on-art-address-on-murals-to-support-aid.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309105804/https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/31/archives/hildreth-meiere-to-lecture-on-art-address-on-murals-to-support-aid.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |date=November 15, 1937 |title=Duchesne Group to Meet; Placement Bureau Benefits Will Be Planned at Tea Today |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/11/15/archives/duchesne-group-to-meet-placement-bureau-benefits-will-be-planned-at.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> and film screenings.<ref name="The New York Times 1936 f844">{{cite web |date=March 18, 1936 |title=Film of India Mission to Be Offered Today; Sound Movies Will Be on View at Convent of Sacred Heart for Lots for Little Shop. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/03/18/archives/film-of-india-mission-to-be-offered-today-sound-movies-will-be-on.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325070018/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/03/18/archives/film-of-india-mission-to-be-offered-today-sound-movies-will-be-on.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Every December, the school invited the public to attend [[Christmas tree]] lighting ceremonies in the lower stories.<ref name="GB p. 289">{{harvnb|Gray|Braley|2003|ps=.|p=289}}</ref>


Sacred Heart acquired the neighboring Burden House in 1940,<ref name="The New York Times 1940 n171">{{cite web |date=June 1, 1940 |title=School Buys Old Burden Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/01/archives/school-buys-old-burden-home.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208204652/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/01/archives/school-buys-old-burden-home.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=June 1, 1940 |title=Real Estate Transactions in the City and Suburban Fields: Academy Buys Burden House In East 91st St Society of Sacred Heart Expands School Space; Price Set at $100,000 New Bergen County Dwelling Sold |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=28 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1248649286}}}}</ref> using that house as a [[boarding school]].<ref name="Reed 1962" /> The Burden and Kahn houses were internally linked.<ref name="NPS p. 5" /> The main school itself, which served students from [[kindergarten]] to [[high school]], was located in the Kahn House at 1 East 91st Street.<ref name="The New York Times 1966 a353">{{cite web |date=May 24, 1966 |title=Party to Provide Scholarship Aid For Sacred Heart; Kostelanetz Concert on Tuesday Is Chosen as Focus of Benefit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/05/24/archives/party-to-provide-scholarship-aid-for-sacred-heart-kostelanetz.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317191843/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/05/24/archives/party-to-provide-scholarship-aid-for-sacred-heart-kostelanetz.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By the late 1960s, the school's nuns lived on the fifth floor of the house. After Sacred Heart sought to raise $90,000 for an expansion of the school in 1966, students' parents donated $150,000.<ref name="The New York Times 1967 n613" /> Sacred Heart bought four adjacent townhouses along 92nd Street, and it considered demolishing these townhouses and the adjacent Burden House.<ref name="The New York Times 1973 q847">{{cite web |last=Horsley |first=Carter B. |date=July 9, 1973 |title=Widener Mansion is Coming Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/09/archives/widener-mansion-is-coming-down-museum-is-given-approval-to-demolish.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) consequently designated the Burden and Kahn houses as landmarks.<ref name="New York Daily News 1974" /><ref name="The New York Times 1974 a598" />
Sacred Heart acquired the neighboring Burden House in 1940,<ref name="The New York Times 1940 n171">{{cite web |date=June 1, 1940 |title=School Buys Old Burden Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/01/archives/school-buys-old-burden-home.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208204652/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/01/archives/school-buys-old-burden-home.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite news |date=June 1, 1940 |title=Real Estate Transactions in the City and Suburban Fields: Academy Buys Burden House In East 91st St Society of Sacred Heart Expands School Space; Price Set at $100,000 New Bergen County Dwelling Sold |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=28 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1248649286}}}}</ref> using that house as a [[boarding school]].<ref name="Reed 1962" /> A connection was built between the Burden and Kahn houses.<ref name="NPS p. 5" /> The main school itself, which served students from [[kindergarten]] to [[high school]], was located in the Kahn House at 1 East 91st Street.<ref name="The New York Times 1966 a353">{{cite web |date=May 24, 1966 |title=Party to Provide Scholarship Aid For Sacred Heart; Kostelanetz Concert on Tuesday Is Chosen as Focus of Benefit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/05/24/archives/party-to-provide-scholarship-aid-for-sacred-heart-kostelanetz.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317191843/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/05/24/archives/party-to-provide-scholarship-aid-for-sacred-heart-kostelanetz.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By the late 1960s, the school's nuns lived on the fifth floor of the house. After Sacred Heart sought to raise $90,000 for an expansion of the school in 1966, students' parents donated $150,000.<ref name="The New York Times 1967 n613" /> Sacred Heart bought four adjacent townhouses along 92nd Street, and it considered demolishing these townhouses and the adjacent Burden House.<ref name="The New York Times 1973 q847">{{cite web |last=Horsley |first=Carter B. |date=July 9, 1973 |title=Widener Mansion is Coming Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/09/archives/widener-mansion-is-coming-down-museum-is-given-approval-to-demolish.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>{{efn|The 92nd Street townhouses were not demolished and were sold in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=August 23, 1987 |title=Streetscapes: East 92d Street Rowhouses; 19th Century Vestiges Topple to Meet School Needs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/23/realestate/streetscapes-east-92d-street-rowhouses-19th-century-vestiges-topple-meet-school.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110191720/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/23/realestate/streetscapes-east-92d-street-rowhouses-19th-century-vestiges-topple-meet-school.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}} The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) consequently designated the Burden and Kahn houses as landmarks.<ref name="New York Daily News 1974" /><ref name="The New York Times 1974 a598" />


During the 1970s, the Burden and Kahn houses began hosting regular chamber music performances.<ref name="n140611993">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Robert |date=April 25, 1976 |title=Symphony for two beagles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-symphony-for-two-beagles/140611993/ |access-date=February 9, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=352}}</ref> After a Sacred Heart alumnus requested permission to host her wedding at the Burden House in 1973, Sacred Heart began renting out both houses' ballrooms and the Kahn House's courtyard for weddings outside of school hours. The houses also hosted seminars, parties, photo shoots, and benefit parties.<ref name="The New York Times 1975 u166">{{cite web |last=Warren |first=Virginia Lee |date=July 6, 1975 |title=The School Is a Landmark, and a Perfect Place for a Bridal Party |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/06/archives/the-school-is-a-landmark-and-a-perfect-place-for-a-bridal-party.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> There were also occasional tours of the Kahn House,<ref name="nyt-1984-01-27" /> and the structure continued to host events into the late 20th century, including [[Television advertisement|TV commercial]] shoots<ref name="nyt-1984-10-01" /> and antiques shows.<ref name="p2316162333" /><ref>See, for example: {{Cite news |last=Vogel |first=Carol |date=1993-01-22 |title=The Art Market; New Mood at Antiques Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/22/arts/the-art-market-new-mood-at-antiques-show.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117155120/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/22/arts/the-art-market-new-mood-at-antiques-show.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |last=Vogel |first=Carol |date=1994-01-21 |title=A Wintry Winter Show of Antiques |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/21/arts/a-wintry-winter-show-of-antiques.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526104703/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/21/arts/a-wintry-winter-show-of-antiques.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In general, visitors not affiliated with the school could enter the house only by appointment.<ref name="p1842120329" />
During the 1970s, the Burden and Kahn houses began hosting regular chamber music performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Robert |date=April 25, 1976 |title=Symphony for two beagles |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-symphony-for-two-beagles/140611993/ |access-date=February 9, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=352}}</ref> After a Sacred Heart alumnus requested permission to host her wedding at the Burden House in 1973, Sacred Heart began renting out both houses' ballrooms and the Kahn House's courtyard for weddings outside of school hours. The houses also hosted seminars, parties, photo shoots, and benefit parties.<ref name="The New York Times 1975 u166">{{cite web |last=Warren |first=Virginia Lee |date=July 6, 1975 |title=The School Is a Landmark, and a Perfect Place for a Bridal Party |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/06/archives/the-school-is-a-landmark-and-a-perfect-place-for-a-bridal-party.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> There were also occasional tours of the Kahn House,<ref name="nyt-1984-01-27" /> and the structure continued to host events into the late 20th century, including [[Television advertisement|TV commercial]] shoots<ref name="nyt-1984-10-01" /> and antiques shows.<ref name="Ruhling 1991" /><ref>See, for example: {{Cite news |last=Vogel |first=Carol |date=1993-01-22 |title=The Art Market; New Mood at Antiques Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/22/arts/the-art-market-new-mood-at-antiques-show.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117155120/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/22/arts/the-art-market-new-mood-at-antiques-show.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |last=Vogel |first=Carol |date=1994-01-21 |title=A Wintry Winter Show of Antiques |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/21/arts/a-wintry-winter-show-of-antiques.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526104703/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/21/arts/a-wintry-winter-show-of-antiques.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In general, visitors not affiliated with the school could only enter the house by appointment.<ref name="Vigoda 1997" />


The architectural firm of Buttrick, White, and Burtis was hired in the early 1980s to add a gymnasium, laboratories, and classroom space in the Burden and Kahn houses. The project, which was estimated to cost $1.5 million, was funded in part from revenue generated by the Burden House's ballroom,<ref name="Merkel p. 6">{{harvnb|Merkel|1996|ps=.|page=6}}</ref> as well as from events such as tours and Christmas tree sales.<ref name="nyt-1988-02-19" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1988 |title=Santa causes to suit every giver |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-santa-causes-to-suit-every-gi/140622224/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=146}}</ref> [[Building Conservation Associates]] also examined the Kahn House's facade in the 1990s and found that it had been damaged over the years by the acidity of the air. As such, Buttrick, White, and Burtis also supervised a restoration of the facade at a cost of $1.3 million; the project included cleaning the stone and infilling some of the larger holes.<ref name="nyt-1994-02-27">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=February 27, 1994 |title=Streetscapes/The Convent of the Sacred Heart; A Matter of Reconciling Preservation With Patina |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/27/realestate/streetscapes-convent-sacred-heart-matter-reconciling-preservation-with-patina.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506180000/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/27/realestate/streetscapes-convent-sacred-heart-matter-reconciling-preservation-with-patina.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By the 2000s, the Kahn House was known as the Convent of the Sacred Heart's Duchesne Residence.<ref name="Sheraton 2002 q321">{{cite web |last=Sheraton |first=Mimi |date=December 27, 2002 |title=Getting Away Right in Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/27/arts/getting-away-right-in-town.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504072006/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/27/arts/getting-away-right-in-town.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The house contains Convent of the Sacred Heart's middle and upper schools {{As of|2024|lc=y}}.<ref name="Burden Kahn n385">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.burdenkahnmansion.org/history/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Burden Kahn |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001231055/http://www.burdenkahnmansion.org/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The architectural firm of Buttrick, White, and Burtis was hired in the early 1980s to add a gymnasium, laboratories, and classroom space in the Burden and Kahn houses. The project, which was estimated to cost $1.5 million, was funded in part from revenue generated by the Burden House's ballroom,<ref name="Merkel p. 6">{{harvnb|Merkel|1996|ps=.|page=6}}</ref> as well as from events such as tours and Christmas tree sales.<ref name="nyt-1988-02-19" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1988 |title=Santa causes to suit every giver |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-santa-causes-to-suit-every-gi/140622224/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=146}}</ref> [[Building Conservation Associates]] also examined the Kahn House's facade in the 1990s and found that it had been damaged over the years by the acidity of the air. As such, Buttrick, White, and Burtis also supervised a restoration of the facade at a cost of $1.3 million; the project included cleaning the stone and infilling some of the larger holes.<ref name="nyt-1994-02-27">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=February 27, 1994 |title=Streetscapes/The Convent of the Sacred Heart; A Matter of Reconciling Preservation With Patina |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/27/realestate/streetscapes-convent-sacred-heart-matter-reconciling-preservation-with-patina.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506180000/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/27/realestate/streetscapes-convent-sacred-heart-matter-reconciling-preservation-with-patina.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By the 2000s, the Kahn House was known as the Convent of the Sacred Heart's Duchesne Residence.<ref name="Sheraton 2002 q321">{{cite web |last=Sheraton |first=Mimi |date=December 27, 2002 |title=Getting Away Right in Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/27/arts/getting-away-right-in-town.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504072006/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/27/arts/getting-away-right-in-town.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The house contains Convent of the Sacred Heart's middle and upper schools {{As of|2024|lc=y}}.<ref name="Burden Kahn n385">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.burdenkahnmansion.org/history/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Burden Kahn |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001231055/http://www.burdenkahnmansion.org/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


== Impact ==
== Impact ==
[[File:Otto Kahn Mansion 014.JPG|thumb|Historical plaque]]
[[File:Otto Kahn Mansion 014.JPG|thumb|Historical plaque]]
Upon the house's completion, the [[Architectural Review|''Architectural Review'']] praised the mansion as "a remarkable example of well-balanced re-adjustment in those aesthetic elements that are found in architecture of the early sixteenth century in Italy".<ref name="Solon p. 992">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=99}}</ref> The magazine further deemed J. Armstrong Stenhouse to have "achieved a work which ranks as the foremost of its kind in this country."<ref name="Solon p. 114">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=114}}</ref> The Landmarks Preservation Commission described the building as "the finest Italian Renaissance-style mansion in New York City".<ref name="nyt-1984-01-27" />
Upon the house's completion, the ''[[Architectural Review]]'' praised the mansion as "a remarkable example of well-balanced re-adjustment in those aesthetic elements that are found in architecture of the early sixteenth century in Italy".<ref name="Solon p. 992">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=99}}</ref> The magazine further deemed J. Armstrong Stenhouse to have "achieved a work which ranks as the foremost of its kind in this country."<ref name="Solon p. 114">{{Harvnb|Solon|1919|ps=.|p=114}}</ref> The Landmarks Preservation Commission described the building as "the finest Italian Renaissance-style mansion in New York City".<ref name="nyt-1984-01-27" />


Architectural critic [[Henry Hope Reed Jr.]] wrote in 1961 that the Kahn, Burden, and Hammond houses were "the crown jewel of the block",<ref name="Reed 1962">{{cite news |last=Reed |first=Henry Hope Jr. |date=October 21, 1962 |title=A Block on 91st St: Its Schools, Town Houses, Make It "Noblest Perspective in the City. |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=SM2 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1326216257}}}}</ref> and ''[[Women's Wear Daily]]'' said the building was "an architecturally perfect sample of Italian Renaissance architecture".<ref name="p1523503480">{{cite magazine |date=March 11, 1969 |title=Nun — Sense |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=4–5 |volume=118 |issue=49 |id={{ProQuest|1523503480}}}}</ref> A critic for ''The New York Times'' described the Kahn and Burden houses in 1972 as having "what may be the most lordly rooms any New York schoolchild studies in".<ref name="p119542844">{{cite news |last=Shepard |first=Richard F. |date=November 18, 1972 |title=Going Out Guide |work=The New York Times |page=42 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|119542844}}}}</ref> The historian [[Christopher Gray (architectural historian)|Christopher Gray]] said in 1990 that the Kahn House was the "last and grandest" of the houses on the surrounding block,<ref name="Gray 1990 n620">{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=March 18, 1990 |title=Streetscapes: 9 East 91st Street; A Soviet Palazzo Off Fifth Ave. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/realestate/streetscapes-9-east-91st-street-a-soviet-palazzo-off-fifth-ave.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127022408/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/realestate/streetscapes-9-east-91st-street-a-soviet-palazzo-off-fifth-ave.html |url-status=live }}</ref> though he later wrote that it was "very reserved" compared with other structures like the Warburg House one block north.<ref name="nyt-2003-02-09" /> Jayne Merkel wrote in 1996 that the Kahn and Burden houses "give the school a uniqueness and elegance that money cannot easily buy".<ref name="Merkel p. 6" /> Gray wrote in 2014 that the house helped form one of the "grandest blocks" in the city.<ref name="nyt-2014-03-20" />
Architectural critic [[Henry Hope Reed Jr.]] wrote in 1961 that the Kahn, Burden, and Hammond houses were "the crown jewel of the block",<ref name="Reed 1962">{{cite news |last=Reed |first=Henry Hope Jr. |date=October 21, 1962 |title=A Block on 91st St: Its Schools, Town Houses, Make It "Noblest Perspective in the City. |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=SM2 |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1326216257}}}}</ref> and ''[[Women's Wear Daily]]'' said the building was "an architecturally perfect sample of Italian Renaissance architecture".<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 11, 1969 |title=Nun — Sense |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=4–5 |volume=118 |issue=49 |id={{ProQuest|1523503480}}}}</ref> A critic for ''The New York Times'' described the Kahn and Burden houses in 1972 as having "what may be the most lordly rooms any New York schoolchild studies in".<ref>{{cite news |last=Shepard |first=Richard F. |date=November 18, 1972 |title=Going Out Guide |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |page=42 |id={{ProQuest|119542844}}}}</ref> The historian [[Christopher Gray (architectural historian)|Christopher Gray]] said in 1990 that the Kahn House was the "last and grandest" of the houses on the surrounding block,<ref name="Gray 1990 n620">{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=March 18, 1990 |title=Streetscapes: 9 East 91st Street; A Soviet Palazzo Off Fifth Ave. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/realestate/streetscapes-9-east-91st-street-a-soviet-palazzo-off-fifth-ave.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127022408/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/18/realestate/streetscapes-9-east-91st-street-a-soviet-palazzo-off-fifth-ave.html |url-status=live}}</ref> though he later wrote that it was "very reserved" compared with other structures like the Warburg House one block north.<ref name="nyt-2003-02-09" /> Jayne Merkel wrote in 1996 that the Kahn and Burden houses "give the school a uniqueness and elegance that money cannot easily buy".<ref name="Merkel p. 6" /> Gray wrote in 2014 that the houses helped form one of the "grandest blocks" in the city.<ref name="nyt-2014-03-20" />


The mansion has also been used as a filming location. For example, the 1971 movie [[The Anderson Tapes|''The Anderson Tapes'']] was partially filmed inside the Kahn House,<ref name="The New York Times 1977 d319" /> as was the 2009 film [[Duplicity (film)|''Duplicity'']].<ref name="p409070168" /> The house was used as a filming location for many television commercials in the late 20th century, as well as a video for [[Julio Iglesias]]'s song "[[Moonlight Lady (song)|Moonlight Lady]]" in 1984.<ref name="nyt-1984-10-01">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Susan Heller |last2=Carroll |first2=Maurice |date=October 1, 1984 |title=New York Day by Day; Videotaping the Romance Of Julio Iglesias |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-videotaping-the-romance-of-julio-iglesias.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524145338/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-videotaping-the-romance-of-julio-iglesias.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The mansion has also been used as a filming location. For example, the 1971 movie ''[[The Anderson Tapes]]'' was partially filmed at the Kahn House,<ref name="The New York Times 1977 d319" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1970-10-08 |title='Cabbie' Returns to Copa—Just for Laughs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-star-cabbie-returns-to-co/140798308/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |work=The Standard-Star |pages=18 |first=Jack |last=O'Brian |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> as was the 2009 film [[Duplicity (film)|''Duplicity'']].<ref name="Yancey 2009" /> The house was used to film television commercials in the late 20th century, as well as a video for [[Julio Iglesias]]'s song "[[Moonlight Lady (song)|Moonlight Lady]]" in 1984.<ref name="nyt-1984-10-01">{{Cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Susan Heller |last2=Carroll |first2=Maurice |date=October 1, 1984 |title=New York Day by Day; Videotaping the Romance Of Julio Iglesias |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-videotaping-the-romance-of-julio-iglesias.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524145338/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-videotaping-the-romance-of-julio-iglesias.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


The LPC selected the Kahn House in 1963 as one of 300 tentative city landmarks,<ref name="The New York Times 1963 s642">{{cite web |last=Ennis |first=Thomas W. |date=July 21, 1963 |title=Landmark Commission Seeks to Preserve Splendor of City's Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/07/21/archives/landmark-commission-seeks-to-preserve-splendor-of-citys-past-bid.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="n123868487">{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1964 |title=A Doughty Band of Preservationists is Battling 'Progress' to Defend City's Few Standing Landmarks from Wrecker's Ball |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123868487/a-doughty-band-of-preservationists-is/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506202939/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123868487/a-doughty-band-of-preservationists-is/ |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Daily News |pages=84}}</ref> and the [[American Institute of Architects]] included the building in an exhibit of the city's historic buildings in 1967.<ref name="Fried 1967 g567">{{cite web |last=Fried |first=Joseph P. |date=September 24, 1967 |title=Designers Savor a Centure of Architecture; Architects Savor Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/09/24/archives/designers-savor-a-centure-of-architecture-architects-savor-past.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The LPC first proposed the [[Carnegie Hill Historic District]] in 1966, which would have included both the Kahn and Burden houses.<ref name="nyt-1966-10-092">{{Cite news |last=Ennis |first=Thomas W. |date=October 9, 1966 |title=City Takes Action to Preserve Its Historic Districts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/09/archives/city-takes-action-to-preserve-its-historic-districts-landmarks.html |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123013309/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/09/archives/city-takes-action-to-preserve-its-historic-districts-landmarks.html |url-status=live }}; {{Cite news |last=Fields |first=Sidney |date=October 11, 1966 |title=Doing Landmark Work |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-doing-landmark-work/139359002/ |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=245 |issn=2692-1251 |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123013305/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-doing-landmark-work/139359002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The LPC began considering the buildings as individual city landmarks in 1967,<ref name="The New York Times 1967 n613" /> but the Convent of the Sacred Heart, had opposed the designations until the [[New York Landmarks Conservancy]] provided a loan to preserve the two buildings.<ref name="The New York Times 1974 a598">{{cite web |date=February 20, 1974 |title=2 Mansions on 91st Dubbed Landmarks Of Beaux Arts Style |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/20/archives/2-mansions-on-91st-dubbed-landmarks-of-beaux-artsstyle.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The LPC designated the Kahn and Burden mansions as individual landmarks in February 1974,<ref name="New York Daily News 1974">{{Cite news |date=February 20, 1974 |title=Choose Homes as Landmarks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-choose-homes-as-landmarks/139554642/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=244 |issn=2692-1251 |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125224338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-choose-homes-as-landmarks/139554642/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1974 a598" /> but the houses were not initially part of the Carnegie Hill Historic District, which was designated the same year.<ref name="Goldberger 1974 k790">{{cite web |last=Goldberger |first=Paul |date=July 24, 1974 |title=Carnegie Hill Areas at 5th Ave. Designated a Historic District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/24/archives/carnegie-hill-areas-at-5th-ave-designated-a-historic-district-high.html |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127173350/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/24/archives/carnegie-hill-areas-at-5th-ave-designated-a-historic-district-high.html |url-status=live }}</ref> When the Carnegie Hill Historic District was expanded in 1993,<ref name="Dunlap 1994 i108">{{cite web |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=January 9, 1994 |title=Postings: Commission Expands, Carnegie Hall Historic Zone; Landmark Lobby, Larger District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/09/realestate/postings-commission-expands-carnegie-hall-historic-zone-landmark-lobby-larger.html |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318175714/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/09/realestate/postings-commission-expands-carnegie-hall-historic-zone-landmark-lobby-larger.html |url-status=live }}</ref> both structures were included in the expanded district.<ref name="NYCL (1993) pp. 163–165">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|pp=163–165}}</ref> The Kahn and Burden mansions were collectively added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on September 12, 2006.<ref name="nris_2006">{{cite web |date=2006 |title=National Register of Historic Places 2006 Weekly Lists |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2006-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325200236/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2006-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=March 8, 2021 |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]] |pages=282–283}}</ref>
The LPC selected the Kahn House in 1963 as one of 300 tentative city landmarks,<ref name="The New York Times 1963 s642">{{cite web |last=Ennis |first=Thomas W. |date=July 21, 1963 |title=Landmark Commission Seeks to Preserve Splendor of City's Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/07/21/archives/landmark-commission-seeks-to-preserve-splendor-of-citys-past-bid.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1964 |title=A Doughty Band of Preservationists is Battling 'Progress' to Defend City's Few Standing Landmarks from Wrecker's Ball |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123868487/a-doughty-band-of-preservationists-is/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506202939/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123868487/a-doughty-band-of-preservationists-is/ |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=New York Daily News |issn=2692-1251 |pages=84}}</ref> and the [[American Institute of Architects]] included the building in an exhibit of the city's historic buildings in 1967.<ref name="Fried 1967 g567">{{cite web |last=Fried |first=Joseph P. |date=September 24, 1967 |title=Designers Savor a Centure of Architecture; Architects Savor Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/09/24/archives/designers-savor-a-centure-of-architecture-architects-savor-past.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The LPC first proposed the [[Carnegie Hill Historic District]] in 1966, which would have included both the Kahn and Burden houses.<ref name="nyt-1966-10-092">{{Cite news |last=Ennis |first=Thomas W. |date=October 9, 1966 |title=City Takes Action to Preserve Its Historic Districts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/09/archives/city-takes-action-to-preserve-its-historic-districts-landmarks.html |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |postscript=none |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123013309/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/09/archives/city-takes-action-to-preserve-its-historic-districts-landmarks.html |url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |last=Fields |first=Sidney |date=October 11, 1966 |title=Doing Landmark Work |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-doing-landmark-work/139359002/ |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=245 |issn=2692-1251 |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123013305/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-doing-landmark-work/139359002/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The LPC began considering the buildings as individual city landmarks in 1967,<ref name="The New York Times 1967 n613" /> but the Convent of the Sacred Heart, had opposed the designations until the [[New York Landmarks Conservancy]] provided a loan to preserve the two buildings.<ref name="The New York Times 1974 a598">{{cite web |date=February 20, 1974 |title=2 Mansions on 91st Dubbed Landmarks Of Beaux Arts Style |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/20/archives/2-mansions-on-91st-dubbed-landmarks-of-beaux-artsstyle.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The LPC designated the Kahn and Burden mansions as individual landmarks in February 1974,<ref name="New York Daily News 1974">{{Cite news |date=February 20, 1974 |title=Choose Homes as Landmarks |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-choose-homes-as-landmarks/139554642/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=244 |issn=2692-1251 |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125224338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-choose-homes-as-landmarks/139554642/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1974 a598" /> but the houses were not initially part of the Carnegie Hill Historic District, which was designated the same year.<ref name="Goldberger 1974 k790">{{cite web |last=Goldberger |first=Paul |date=July 24, 1974 |title=Carnegie Hill Areas at 5th Ave. Designated a Historic District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/24/archives/carnegie-hill-areas-at-5th-ave-designated-a-historic-district-high.html |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127173350/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/24/archives/carnegie-hill-areas-at-5th-ave-designated-a-historic-district-high.html |url-status=live}}</ref> When the Carnegie Hill Historic District was expanded in 1993,<ref name="Dunlap 1994 i108">{{cite web |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=January 9, 1994 |title=Postings: Commission Expands, Carnegie Hall Historic Zone; Landmark Lobby, Larger District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/09/realestate/postings-commission-expands-carnegie-hall-historic-zone-landmark-lobby-larger.html |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318175714/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/09/realestate/postings-commission-expands-carnegie-hall-historic-zone-landmark-lobby-larger.html |url-status=live}}</ref> both structures were included in the expanded district.<ref name="NYCL (1993) pp. 163–165">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|pp=163–165}}</ref> The Kahn and Burden mansions were collectively added to the [[New York State Register of Historic Places]] on June 28, 2006,<ref name="Cultural Resource Information System">{{cite web | title=Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) | publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] | date=November 7, 2014 | url=https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ | access-date=July 20, 2023 | archive-date=April 4, 2019 | archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20190404141934/https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ | url-status=live}}</ref> and to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on September 12, 2006.<ref name="nris_2006">{{cite web |date=2006 |title=National Register of Historic Places 2006 Weekly Lists |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2006-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325200236/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2006-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=March 8, 2021 |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]] |pages=282–283}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}
{{Notelist}}


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* {{cite book |title=Great Houses of New York, 1880–1930 |last=Kathrens |first=Michael C. |year=2005 |publisher=Acanthus Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-926494-34-3 |page=341}}
* {{cite book |title=Great Houses of New York, 1880–1930 |last=Kathrens |first=Michael C. |year=2005 |publisher=Acanthus Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-926494-34-3 |page=341}}
* {{cite book |last=Kobler |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CI65AAAAIAAJ |title=Otto, the Magnificent: The Life of Otto Kahn |publisher=Scribner |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-684-19033-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Kobler |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CI65AAAAIAAJ |title=Otto, the Magnificent: The Life of Otto Kahn |publisher=Scribner |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-684-19033-4}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Merkel |first=Jayne |date=May 1996 |title=In the Streetscape: the Casa and the Convent |url=https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1996-05.pdf |work=Oculus |volume=58 |number=9}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Merkel |first=Jayne |date=May 1996 |title=In the Streetscape: the Casa and the Convent |url=https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1996-05.pdf |magazine=Oculus |volume=58 |number=9}}
* {{cite report |url=https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0675.pdf |title=Otto Kahn House |date=February 19, 1974 |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |ref={{sfnref|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974}}}}
* {{cite report |url=https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0675.pdf |title=Otto Kahn House |date=February 19, 1974 |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |ref={{sfnref|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974}}}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Solon |first=Leon |url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1916-08.pdf |title=Residence of Otto H. Kahn, Esq. New York, J. Armstrong Stenhouse, Architect |work=Architectural Record |volume=XLVI |issue=II |date=1919}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Solon |first=Leon |url=https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1916-08.pdf |title=Residence of Otto H. Kahn, Esq. New York, J. Armstrong Stenhouse, Architect |magazine=Architectural Record |volume=XLVI |issue=II |date=1919}}
* {{Cite aia5}}
* {{Cite aia5}}


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[[Category:New York State Register of Historic Places in New York County]]
[[Category:New York State Register of Historic Places in New York County]]
[[Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in New York City]]
[[Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in New York City]]
[[Category:Residential buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Upper East Side]]
[[Category:1910s architecture in the United States]]

Revision as of 05:21, 1 December 2024

Otto H. Kahn House
View of the Otto H. Kahn House from Fifth Avenue and 91st Street
Map
Location1 East 91st Street, Manhattan, New York
Coordinates40°47′05″N 73°57′28″W / 40.78472°N 73.95778°W / 40.78472; -73.95778
Built1914–1918
ArchitectJ. Armstrong Stenhouse; C. P. H. Gilbert
NRHP reference No.06000821
NYSRHP No.06101.000248
NYCL No.0675
Significant dates
Added to NRHPSeptember 12, 2006[3]
Designated NYSRHPJune 28, 2006[1]
Designated NYCLFebruary 19, 1974[2]

The Otto H. Kahn House is a mansion at 1 East 91st Street, at Fifth Avenue, in the Carnegie Hill section of the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City. The four-story mansion was designed by architects J. Armstrong Stenhouse and C. P. H. Gilbert in the neo-Italian Renaissance style. It was completed in 1918 as the town residence of the financier and philanthropist Otto H. Kahn and his family. The Convent of the Sacred Heart, a private school, owns the Kahn House along with the adjacent James A. Burden House, which is internally connected. The mansion is a New York City designated landmark and, along with the Burden House, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The mansion's facade is made of French limestone and is rusticated on the first and second stories, with large archways on the first floor. The house has French- and Italian-style interiors and is divided into front and rear sections, with an oval entrance hall connecting the floors. The first floor originally contained reception spaces while the second floor had spaces including a study, library, theater, drawing room, and dining room. On the top stories, there were 15 bedrooms with en suite dressing rooms and bathrooms.

Andrew Carnegie purchased the site in 1898 to protect the value of his nearby mansion, but he did not sell it until 1913, when Kahn bought the plot. After the house was completed, the Kahns hosted various events there, splitting their time between their 91st Street residence and Oheka Castle on Long Island. The family was seeking to sell the house by the early 1930s. After Otto Kahn died in 1934, the Convent of the Sacred Heart bought it and converted the house into classrooms, a library, and offices. The house was renovated in the late 20th century, though many of the interior spaces have been preserved.

Site

The Otto H. Kahn House is at 1 East 91st Street[4][5] in the Carnegie Hill section of the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City.[6] It stands on the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 91st Street,[6][7] facing Central Park to the west.[7] The site measures 100 feet (30 m) wide on Fifth Avenue to the west and 145 feet (44 m) wide on 91st Street to the south.[8][9] During the 20th century, the house occupied the north end of Fifth Avenue's Millionaires' Row.[10] On the same city block to the east are the James A. Burden House (which is internally connected with the Kahn House[6]), the John Henry Hammond House, and the John and Caroline Trevor House.[5][11] The Felix M. Warburg House, containing the Jewish Museum, is on the block to the north.[12] Just south of the Otto H. Kahn House is the Andrew Carnegie Mansion at 2 East 91st Street, housing the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.[13] The townhouses on 11, 15, and 17 East 90th Street and the Spence School are located on the same block as the Carnegie Mansion, southeast of the Kahn House.[14]

Architecture

The architects J. Armstrong Stenhouse and C. P. H. Gilbert designed the house at 1 East 91st Street for the family of financier Otto Hermann Kahn in the neo-Italian Renaissance style.[15][16][17] It is four stories high with a basement[2] and a protruding rooftop dormer,[18] and the house measures about 100 feet (30 m) to its roof.[19] The house was modeled after the Palazzo della Cancelleria of the Papal Chancellery in Rome.[16][20] One 20th-century architectural writer stated that the house was inspired exclusively by 16th-century Italian architecture.[21]

Facade

View of the facade from further east on 91st Street

The house was built of French limestone from St. Quentin,[19][22] which is textured. In general, the facade has lead-came glass or zinc-came glass windows. The exterior faces of each window frame are made of molded limestone, while the interior faces are made of wood.[18] On the lowest portion of the facade is a water table that wraps around the southern elevation on 91st Street and the western elevation on Fifth Avenue.[18] Above the water table, the first story of the facade is rusticated, with deep joints crossing the facade horizontally, and contains arched windows recessed between iron grilles.[23] The use of rusticated blocks and iron grillwork was intended to make the structure appear like a Renaissance palazzo.[18] On 91st Street, there are two larger archways with paneled wooden doors. A short indoor driveway connects the two archways and contains the house's main entrance.[24] There is a niche at either end of the driveway, as well as a coffered ceiling,[25] which is made of stucco.[26] At the extreme eastern end of the southern elevation is a rusticated wall, with service areas behind the walls.[25]

The second story is designed like a piano nobile and is rusticated,[25] albeit with smoother limestone and shallower joints compared with the first floor. Each window is designed as a French window with leaded glass panes and wood frames behind a small balustrade.[18] Above the second-story windows are pediments that are alternately segmentally arched and triangular, and there are vertical pilasters between each of the windows.[23] The third and fourth stories have a smooth facade, except for a horizontal string course that connects the fourth-floor windows.[25] There are cornices above the third-floor windows, while the fourth-floor windows have simpler frames and are proportionally smaller.[23] Above the fourth floor is a protruding cornice with modillions, which is surrounded by a balustrade.[23]

Portions of the northern and eastern elevations are visible from the street and are similar to the western and southern elevations.[25] The eastern elevation has a Renaissance-style tower topped by a water tank. On the roof are several rooms that are set back slightly from the facade.[18] Visible from the roof was a small garden house, a fountain, and a porch, which one critic from 1919 described as "a glimpse of Italy, in more intimate guise".[27]

A courtyard is on the northern side of the site and extends into the center of the building, allowing rooms in the middle of the house to be illuminated by natural light.[28] The stone facade of the courtyard is decorated with elements such as arches and stairways;[28][29] this was a contrast to the lightwells of similar mansions, which did not have decorative facades.[28] There is a partially enclosed one-story terrace to the north of the house, which has a rusticated facade.[25] This terrace is accessed by steps leading down from a loggia,[30] which surrounds the courtyard on two sides.[30][31] The courtyard's southeastern corner has a water tank and a staircase tower.[31] At the rear of the house's northeast corner is an annex for the Convent of the Sacred Heart's lower school, which has a limestone facade.[32]

Features

The house has a floor area of 50,316 square feet (4,674.5 m2)[33] and was one of Manhattan's largest private houses,[19] as well as one of the largest in the U.S..[34] It has been cited as containing a total of 66 rooms[35] or 80 rooms.[36][34] There was originally a garden and private driveway, which was guarded 24 hours a day by a doorman,[37] as well as an oak-paneled library and spacious reception room.[38] Original photographs of the more formal rooms taken during the Kahns' occupancy show them decorated in an 18th-century French and Italian style;[39] many of the original decorations remain intact.[40]

Connection with the Burden House, constructed after the Convent of the Sacred Heart took over both houses

The first through third stories are connected to the Burden House's rear rooms via a glass passageway that is set back from the street. Since the floor levels are uneven, the connection is slightly sloped.[6]

Basements and first story

There are two basement levels and five above-ground stories.[41] The second basement had electrical generators and a heating plant. The first basement had servants' living quarters, a kitchen, and a pantry, as well as 40 bedrooms for servants.[19] These spaces also contained walk-in freezers and full height marble control panels with brass hardware. The control panels operated the house's vacuum system and dumbwaiters.[42]

The entrance leads to an entry hall with limestone walls supporting a plaster groin vault; this hall is decorated with pediments, niches, and cornice moldings. There is a grand staircase on the western wall and a smaller staircase and elevator on the eastern wall.[29] The elevator originally had a mural because Otto Kahn's wife Addie was claustrophobic.[42] A stone tower with a concealed window allowed Kahn to watch his visitors enter the main hall.[42][43] The rest of the first floor was used as reception spaces.[21][29] As originally arranged, there was a smaller hall leading west of the entry hall, which in turn connected to three reception spaces on the first floor.[21] The spaces had ceilings measuring close to 20 feet (6.1 m) high. One account from 1934 described the spaces as a dining room, library, music room, French room, and Italian room.[19] The Convent of the Sacred Heart school, which took over the house in 1934,[44] converted these spaces into offices, meeting spaces, and ancillary spaces.[29]

Upper stories

The second-story rooms, which included a study, library, theater, drawing room, and dining room, were intended as the most ornate in the house. Facing the inner court is a foyer with a fireplace and two limestone stairways to the upper stories.[29] Kahn's personal library had a leather-topped gift and two Dutch artists' portraits.[43] The Convent of the Sacred Heart has modified some of these rooms over the years, although many of the original architectural details remain intact. For example, the dining and drawing rooms were merged into a single chapel room, the study and library served as the school's middle and upper school libraries, and the theater was converted into the school's performance room.[29] The school built shelves into the walls of the 30-by-50-foot (9.1 by 15.2 m) family library room, which could accommodate 500 books.[42] There is also a ballroom,[45] which is described as having a vaulted ceiling with a 20-foot-tall (6.1 m) crystal chandelier.[42] These spaces can be rented out for events and film shoots.[46]

On the third and fourth stories, there were 15 bedrooms, each with en suite dressing rooms and bathrooms.[19] The third story initially featured the Kahn family's bedrooms, while the fourth story consisted of servants' bedrooms;[29] there was also an artist's atelier and a nursery.[43] The Convent of the Sacred Heart has converted both levels to classrooms. A hexagonal shaft, with a spiral staircase, connects Otto Kahn's former third-floor bedroom and his fourth-floor study (the latter of which serves as a library for the school). On the fifth floor are rooms with vaulted ceilings, glass walls, and doors leading to a rooftop deck.[29] There was also a penthouse overlooking Central Park.[19] The Convent of the Sacred Heart's lower-school annex, at the northeast corner of the house, includes a library, classrooms, and offices.[32] This annex also has a connection to the Burden House's rear rooms.[47]

History

In December 1898, the industrialist Andrew Carnegie bought all of the lots on Fifth Avenue between 90th and 92nd streets, with the intent of building his mansion on some of these plots.[48] Carnegie ultimately decided to erect his mansion only on the plots between 90th and 91st streets.[49] He retained ownership of several nearby lots to protect his home's value,[50][51] selling them only to "congenial neighbors".[52][53] Carnegie sold four land lots on 91st Street to the businessman William Douglas Sloane in December 1900, which became the Burden and Hammond houses, the residences of two of Sloane's daughters.[51][54][53] Carnegie tried to split up the parcel at the northeast corner of 91st Street and Fifth Avenue in 1906, with plans to sell half of it to the politician Lloyd S. Bryce.[55] Sloane and his daughters all opposed the sale,[56][57] and they filed a lawsuit which prevented Carnegie from selling that plot to anyone.[58] Bryce decided not to buy the corner parcel.[59][60]

Development

Carriage entrance

The Jewish-American financier Otto Hermann Kahn was the next owner of the lot at 91st Street and Fifth Avenue.[61][62] Kahn, who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1893, was a senior partner at the investment bank Kuhn, Loeb and Co..[28] Despite Kahn's wealth, he and his family had relocated several times to avoid antisemitism, which at the time was prevalent even in high society.[62] Prior to buying the 91st Street lot, he had purchased a site twenty blocks south on 71st Street, next to the Henry Clay Frick House,[63] and there were rumors that he would move out of the U.S. altogether.[64] News media reported in May 1913 that Kahn had purchased the lot at the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 91st Street from Carnegie.[65] Carnegie sold the corner of Fifth Avenue and 91st Street to the Lawyers' Realty Company (representing Kahn) in June 1913.[66] Kahn paid $725,000 and took a $675,000 mortgage loan from Carnegie.[67] After the Sloanes dropped their lawsuit against Carnegie,[58] Kahn sold a 26-inch-wide (66 cm) strip of land on the eastern side of the lot to the Burden family.[60] Having bought the 91st Street site, Kahn would sell off the 71st Street site in 1915.[68]

Kahn hired Gilbert as the house's architect in August 1913,[8][9] and Gilbert designed a four-story, classical-style structure surrounded by open spaces.[9][66] Kahn also planned to import some European woodwork, so the dimensions of the house's rooms were designed specifically to fit this woodwork.[69] He also planned to import French stone.[64] Workers began excavating the site in August 1913,[8] and excavations were complete by the end of the year.[70] Work was briefly halted before resuming in May 1914,[71] although Gilbert had still not received bids for the house's construction at the time.[72] Ultimately, René Sergent was hired as a consulting engineer, while the Thompson–Starrett Company was hired as the general contractor.[73] Work commenced in July 1914,[66] but the foundations were still not complete by late 1915.[74] Construction of the house itself had begun by early 1916;[75] The New York Times said the same year that Kahn's house was one of the largest to be built in the neighborhood in several years.[76] The Kahn House was nearly completed by early 1917,[77] though Kahn was still listed as living on 68th Street.[78]

Use as residence

Otto Kahn's house was completed around 1918,[2][28] and his family was hosting events at the house by that March.[79] He, his wife Adelaide (Addie), and their children Maud, Margaret, Gilbert, and Roger mainly lived at the 91st Street mansion afterward.[42][80] They also maintained a suburban estate, Oheka Castle in Long Island, which they used during the summers.[80] The 91st Street mansion housed the family's 22 servants as well.[28] Twelve of the servants worked for Addie Kahn, and they served tea in her dressing room every day even if she was not there.[81] Otto Kahn, who was a major donor to French charities during World War I, also invited French sailors and troops to his house.[82] Despite Kahn's extreme wealth,[28][80] he took the subway from his house to his office in Lower Manhattan each day.[83] The house was decorated with tapestries, in addition to paintings from Kahn's art collection, such as Vittore Carpaccio's late-15th-century portrait St. Eustace.[84] In 1919, the first full year after the house was finished, it was valued at $1.35 million.[19]

In the house's early years, the Kahns frequently hosted theatrical figures and financiers in the ballroom.[85] The house hosted events such as a debutante ball for the Kahns' daughter Margaret in 1920,[86] an exhibition of Persian art in 1927,[87] and Margaret's wedding in 1928.[88] When Otto and Addie's youngest son Roger formed a jazz orchestra in 1924, the orchestra practiced in the mansion.[89] Other events hosted at the house during the 1920s included musical and dance performances;[90] meetings;[91] charitable benefits;[92] and parties.[93] Because the house did not have its own garage, Kahn hired Gilbert in 1927 to design a 10-car garage for him at 422 East 89th Street. [94]

By the late 1920s, many of Fifth Avenue's mansions were being demolished to make way for apartments; although the Kahn House remained standing, an adjacent house had been replaced with a 13-story apartment building.[95] Kahn reportedly lost over $50 million during the Wall Street Crash of 1929, although the family retained ownership of the house.[80] The house continued to host events in the early 1930s, including a recital by Alexis Obolensky[96] and business dinners.[97]

The Convent of the Sacred Heart, a private girls' school,[98] began negotiating for the house in 1932.[99] Kahn negotiated a tentative agreement with the school in early 1934, one month before he died.[19] Kahn died in March 1934 after a heart attack;[100] he bequeathed everything to his children and allowed them to sell his real estate.[101] When he died, his real estate was valued at $216,375, excluding the 91st Street mansion.[102] At the time of Kahn's death, the Kahn House and several other houses along the block were restricted to residential use because of a covenant placed by Andrew Carnegie.[98] The Oheka Corporation, representing Kahn's estate, filed a lawsuit in May 1934 to have the restriction removed so they could sell the house to the Convent of the Sacred Heart.[98] Kahn's neighbors did not oppose the sale,[103] provided that the height of the house was not increased.[19] The restriction was thus lifted to allow the Kahn House to be sold.[104]

Use as school

Windows on the second and third stories

In May 1934, the Convent of the Sacred Heart paid $900,000 for the house and sold its existing building on Madison Avenue to the Oheka Corporation.[44] One critic called the sale a sign of the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood,[19] while the real-estate executive Lawrence B. Elliman described the Kahn House as one of the largest "disappearing New York mansions" that were being converted to non-residential uses.[105] The school filed plans in May 1934 to convert the house into a school building for $15,000. The modifications, designed by Frederick Rinn, included a new basement entrance on Fifth Avenue, a mezzanine above one of the basement rooms, as well as a new refectory, plumbing, and stairs.[106] The Convent of the Sacred Heart did not have to pay taxes on the building because it was an educational and religious institution.[19] The former ballroom became the school chapel.[85] In addition to classes, the school hosted events at the house, such as annual luncheons,[107] lectures,[108] and film screenings.[109] Every December, the school invited the public to attend Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in the lower stories.[110]

Sacred Heart acquired the neighboring Burden House in 1940,[111] using that house as a boarding school.[20] A connection was built between the Burden and Kahn houses.[47] The main school itself, which served students from kindergarten to high school, was located in the Kahn House at 1 East 91st Street.[112] By the late 1960s, the school's nuns lived on the fifth floor of the house. After Sacred Heart sought to raise $90,000 for an expansion of the school in 1966, students' parents donated $150,000.[35] Sacred Heart bought four adjacent townhouses along 92nd Street, and it considered demolishing these townhouses and the adjacent Burden House.[113][a] The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) consequently designated the Burden and Kahn houses as landmarks.[115][116]

During the 1970s, the Burden and Kahn houses began hosting regular chamber music performances.[117] After a Sacred Heart alumnus requested permission to host her wedding at the Burden House in 1973, Sacred Heart began renting out both houses' ballrooms and the Kahn House's courtyard for weddings outside of school hours. The houses also hosted seminars, parties, photo shoots, and benefit parties.[45] There were also occasional tours of the Kahn House,[40] and the structure continued to host events into the late 20th century, including TV commercial shoots[118] and antiques shows.[42][119] In general, visitors not affiliated with the school could only enter the house by appointment.[34]

The architectural firm of Buttrick, White, and Burtis was hired in the early 1980s to add a gymnasium, laboratories, and classroom space in the Burden and Kahn houses. The project, which was estimated to cost $1.5 million, was funded in part from revenue generated by the Burden House's ballroom,[120] as well as from events such as tours and Christmas tree sales.[36][121] Building Conservation Associates also examined the Kahn House's facade in the 1990s and found that it had been damaged over the years by the acidity of the air. As such, Buttrick, White, and Burtis also supervised a restoration of the facade at a cost of $1.3 million; the project included cleaning the stone and infilling some of the larger holes.[122] By the 2000s, the Kahn House was known as the Convent of the Sacred Heart's Duchesne Residence.[123] The house contains Convent of the Sacred Heart's middle and upper schools as of 2024.[124]

Impact

Historical plaque

Upon the house's completion, the Architectural Review praised the mansion as "a remarkable example of well-balanced re-adjustment in those aesthetic elements that are found in architecture of the early sixteenth century in Italy".[125] The magazine further deemed J. Armstrong Stenhouse to have "achieved a work which ranks as the foremost of its kind in this country."[27] The Landmarks Preservation Commission described the building as "the finest Italian Renaissance-style mansion in New York City".[40]

Architectural critic Henry Hope Reed Jr. wrote in 1961 that the Kahn, Burden, and Hammond houses were "the crown jewel of the block",[20] and Women's Wear Daily said the building was "an architecturally perfect sample of Italian Renaissance architecture".[126] A critic for The New York Times described the Kahn and Burden houses in 1972 as having "what may be the most lordly rooms any New York schoolchild studies in".[127] The historian Christopher Gray said in 1990 that the Kahn House was the "last and grandest" of the houses on the surrounding block,[128] though he later wrote that it was "very reserved" compared with other structures like the Warburg House one block north.[15] Jayne Merkel wrote in 1996 that the Kahn and Burden houses "give the school a uniqueness and elegance that money cannot easily buy".[120] Gray wrote in 2014 that the houses helped form one of the "grandest blocks" in the city.[52]

The mansion has also been used as a filming location. For example, the 1971 movie The Anderson Tapes was partially filmed at the Kahn House,[85][129] as was the 2009 film Duplicity.[46] The house was used to film television commercials in the late 20th century, as well as a video for Julio Iglesias's song "Moonlight Lady" in 1984.[118]

The LPC selected the Kahn House in 1963 as one of 300 tentative city landmarks,[130][131] and the American Institute of Architects included the building in an exhibit of the city's historic buildings in 1967.[132] The LPC first proposed the Carnegie Hill Historic District in 1966, which would have included both the Kahn and Burden houses.[133] The LPC began considering the buildings as individual city landmarks in 1967,[35] but the Convent of the Sacred Heart, had opposed the designations until the New York Landmarks Conservancy provided a loan to preserve the two buildings.[116] The LPC designated the Kahn and Burden mansions as individual landmarks in February 1974,[115][116] but the houses were not initially part of the Carnegie Hill Historic District, which was designated the same year.[134] When the Carnegie Hill Historic District was expanded in 1993,[135] both structures were included in the expanded district.[136] The Kahn and Burden mansions were collectively added to the New York State Register of Historic Places on June 28, 2006,[1] and to the National Register of Historic Places on September 12, 2006.[3]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ The 92nd Street townhouses were not demolished and were sold in 1978.[114]

Citations

  1. ^ a b "Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. November 7, 2014. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Landmarks Preservation Commission 1974, p. 1.
  3. ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places 2006 Weekly Lists" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. 2006. pp. 282–283. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Dolkart, Andrew S; Postal, Matthew A. (2004). Guide to New York City Landmarks. New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (Author of Foreword) (Third ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 51, 175. ISBN 9780471369004.
  5. ^ a b White, Willensky & Leadon 2010, p. 459.
  6. ^ a b c d National Park Service 2006, p. 3.
  7. ^ a b "1095 5 Avenue, 10128". New York City Department of City Planning. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "To Improve Former Carnegie Plot". New-York Tribune. August 14, 1913. p. 12. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c "Kahn to Build $1,000,000 Home". The Sun. August 14, 1913. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Maurice, Arthur Bartlett (1918). Fifth Avenue. Genealogy & local history. Dodd, Mead. p. 310. ISBN 978-1-4219-6267-2. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  11. ^ Gray, Christopher (March 20, 2014). "The Grandest Block in New York". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  12. ^ White, Willensky & Leadon 2010, p. 460.
  13. ^ White, Willensky & Leadon 2010, p. 457.
  14. ^ White, Willensky & Leadon 2010, p. 458.
  15. ^ a b Gray, Christopher (February 9, 2003). "Streetscapes/Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert; A Designer of Lacy Mansions for the City's Eminent". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Landmarks Preservation Commission 1993, pp. 163–164.
  17. ^ Kobler 1988, p. 112; Merkel 1996, p. 5.
  18. ^ a b c d e f National Park Service 2006, p. 6.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Cooper, L. E. (May 20, 1934). "Kahn Sale Shows Trends in Realty: Well-known Mansion on Fifth Avenue Will Be Used for Girls' School". The New York Times. p. RE1. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 101251965.
  20. ^ a b c Reed, Henry Hope Jr. (October 21, 1962). "A Block on 91st St: Its Schools, Town Houses, Make It "Noblest Perspective in the City". New York Herald Tribune. p. SM2. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 1326216257.
  21. ^ a b c Solon 1919, p. 102.
  22. ^ "Stone in Engineering Work". Stone. Vol. 38, no. 12. December 1, 1917. p. 637. ProQuest 913066091.
  23. ^ a b c d Landmarks Preservation Commission 1974, p. 2; National Park Service 2006, p. 6.
  24. ^ Landmarks Preservation Commission 1974, p. 2; National Park Service 2006, pp. 6–7.
  25. ^ a b c d e f Landmarks Preservation Commission 1974, p. 2.
  26. ^ National Park Service 2006, pp. 6–7.
  27. ^ a b Solon 1919, p. 114.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g Gray & Braley 2003, p. 288.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h National Park Service 2006, p. 7.
  30. ^ a b Solon 1919, p. 113.
  31. ^ a b "The Convent of the Sacred Heart School". Vertical Access. October 7, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  32. ^ a b National Park Service 2006, pp. 7–8.
  33. ^ "1 East 91st Street". New York City Finance. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  34. ^ a b c Vigoda, Ralph (July 27, 1997). "Museums Are First on Fifth: a Wealth of Museums, Many in Former Mansions of the Wealthy, Stretch Along New York's Fifth Avenue. It's Called the Museum Mile, but It's More". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. T.8. ProQuest 1842120329.
  35. ^ a b c Bender, Marylin (March 26, 1967). "At Sacred Heart Convent: A New Direction, an Old Distinction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  36. ^ a b Yarrow, Andrew L. (February 19, 1988). "Weekender Guide". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  37. ^ Solon 1919, p. 112.
  38. ^ Rascoe, Burton. "Contemporary Reminiscences." Arts & Decoration 20, (1924): 12.
  39. ^ Williams, Iain Cameron (March 11, 2022). "The Kahn Palazzo, 1100 Fifth Avenue". The Kahns of Fifth Avenue. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  40. ^ a b c Blau, Eleanor (January 27, 1984). "Weekender Guide". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  41. ^ National Park Service 2006, p. 6.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g Ruhling, Nancy A. (January 17, 1991). "A New Antique Show Offers a Rare Glimpse Inside Otto Kahn's Palatial Fifth Avenue Mansion". Newsday. p. 73. ISSN 2574-5298. ProQuest 2316162333.
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  45. ^ a b Warren, Virginia Lee (July 6, 1975). "The School Is a Landmark, and a Perfect Place for a Bridal Party". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  46. ^ a b Yancey, Kitty Bean (March 27, 2009). "The camerawork in 'Duplicity' lovingly lingers on lavish lodgings: High-end hotels had a supporting role in spy film". USA Today. p. D.4. ProQuest 409070168.
  47. ^ a b National Park Service 2006, p. 5.
  48. ^ "Palace for Carnegie". Star-Gazette. December 2, 1898. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Real Estate News". The Sun. July 28, 1899. p. 9. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024 – via newspapers.com; "In the Real Estate Field; Upper Fifth Avenue Purchases Overshadow Other Dealings". The New York Times. May 28, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  50. ^ "Difficulty in Protecting Private Home Centres Shown in Andrew Carnegie's Fifth Avenue Purchase: Wooden Refreshment Shanty on Ninetieth Street Corner Likely to Give Way in Near Future to a Fine Residence; Otto H. Kahn's New House on Ninety-first Street a Noteworthy Addition to That Locality; Apartment House Menace". The New York Times. February 18, 1917. p. XX5. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 99962941; "Big Sums Spent to Keep Away Trade from Homes: ... Find It Necessary to Make Many Protective Purchases—Morgan and Vanderbilt Lose After Fighting for Years—Carnegie Successful in Getting Congenial Neighbors". New-York Tribune. January 30, 1916. p. B11. ISSN 1941-0646. ProQuest 575531598.
  51. ^ a b Gray & Braley 2003, p. 284.
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Sources