The battle to save the physical existence of The NAC's clubhouse has begun. Over its 18-year reign, the Aldon James administration has allowed the façade and interior of the clubhouse to seriously deteriorate. Although during the last few years, the administration has sent occasional PR pieces to the membership and publicly paraded various personages from time to time with construction or architectural backgrounds to prove that it is actively addressing the problem, nothing substantive has been accomplished. Events and outside parties continue to pack the clubhouse like a sardine can; the occasional C-list celebrity is fawned over; another gold medal dinner category is concocted -- along with the $100 per head; fines and back taxes are paid; prodigal felons are welcomed warmly upon their return; lawsuits are threatened; contributions in the name of the façade are collected; but the club itself continues to crumble. Pieces of the clubhouse are now literally falling to the street. The clubhouse silently decays. NAC members and community leaders have launched a desperate attempt to save the physical infrastructure of The NAC before it is too late -- if not already too late. Numerous city agencies and preservation societies have been contacted in this effort. Recently, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney joined the struggle with her urgent letter to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Links to both letters, as well as recent New York Times coverage, are available below these series of photos documenting the steady deterioration.
We are writing to bring to your attention the deterioration of the landmarked Tilden mansion at 15 Gramercy Park South, and to urge you to take action to save it before its deterioration becomes irreparable. As residents of the Gramercy Park neighborhood, and/or members of the National Arts Club, the mansion's current owner, we share the concerns of most of our neighbors and many members that the building and its magnificent façade are in serious decay.
Built in 1845, this grand mansion was the home of New York Governor and would-be U.S. president Samuel J. Tilden. As you may recall from the historical comparisons in presidential election year 2000, Tilden was the first U.S. presidential candidate to win the popular vote but lose in the Electoral College. He resided at this building during the years 1863-1886. The building is one of the last intact great houses from the mid-Victorian period in
New York City, with stately interiors and rich interior and exterior ornamentation, including a façade designed by Calvert Vaux. Its façade features bas-relief sculptures of significant figures in the arts and letters, including Goethe, Michelangelo, Dante and Benjamin Franklin. It is arguably the keystone of the land- marked Gramercy Park neighborhood, and faces the historic park. Major figures such as Stanford White, Edith Wharton, and Heinrich Steinway lived in the neighborhood, while down the street is the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt and the former residence of painter Robert Henri. In 1966, the Tilden mansion was designated a New York City Landmark. In 1976, the Tilden mansion was designated a National Historic Landmark. It is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the country.
In 1906, the National Arts Club purchased the Tilden mansion (see attachment p.1), and for most of these years maintained the building. However, it appears that only token efforts at preservation have been made in the last 20 years. Over the last several years the Club management came under scrutiny by the Manhattan District Attorney's office in an investigation into tax fraud. As announced November 7th, 2003, the administration of the National Arts Club has agreed to pay $150,000 in back taxes to resolve this investigation. (see attached newspaper article p.3). During these past few years the infrastructure deterioration has accelerated at an alarming rate. In addition the Calvert Vaux façade, is beginning to slide off in chunks (see attachments pp.4-8).
Architectural studies by Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn, and engineering studies by Robert Silman Associates made five years ago recommended immediate steps to stabilize the front of the building at a cost then of $2,000,000. (See attachments pp.9-26) It is our understanding based upon available information, that no action has been taken. Additionally, the elegant interiors have also been deteriorating. In one example, a front parlor wall charred black in a fire 5 years ago was never restored. (See attachments pp.27- 28 ) Badly outdated electrical and plumbing systems also pose grave threats to the long-term future of the building. To our understanding, repairs are only made on an as needed and emergency basis.
To our knowledge, The Board of Governors has not put in place a plan to restore or maintain the building's architectural and historical integrity. Though it received a $250,000 grant from a New York State bond act in 1998, specifically for restoring the façade, there is no evidence that the Club has satisfied any of the requirements necessary to receive these funds. (See attachments pp.29-32)
The Tilden mansion is a national treasure. According to the former Chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Jennifer J. Raab, the restoration would be "one of the most important preservation projects in New York City." (See attachments pp. 33-34) The Tilden mansion holds a unique place in our nation's history. We strongly urge you to bring this situation into the public eye while this magnificent building can still be saved, and before the continuing damage is irreparable.
