Cornelius Vanderbilt II House

The Cornelius Vanderbilt II House once occupied this entire city block, standing as the largest private residence ever constructed in New York City. At its peak, this limestone and red brick chateau featured over one hundred rooms, including a two-story ballroom and a dedicated art gallery that housed the family's extensive collection. Cornelius Vanderbilt II commissioned the mansion to surpass the grandeur of every other home on the street, ensuring it remained an unmatched statement of Gilded Age power and architectural ambition.