Villard Houses

Villard Houses is a row of historical townhouses in Midtown Manhattan. They are located opposite St Patrick's Cathedral. The houses were built in 1884 by Henry Villard, the owner of New York Evening Post and founder of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Villard engaged the services of the architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White to design the townhouses, one of which for himself, and the rest put for sale.

Villard Houses comprise six four-storey houses set around a central courtyard facing the street and the church. Villard took the house on the south wing, but financial problems besetting him eventually forced him to sell that house even before it was completed.

Villard Houses, New York City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Villard_Houses_0632.jpg
Author: Gryffindor


Villard Houses have changed owners many times. It was even owned by the Roman Catholic Church. When the church outgrew its space, the houses were very nearly demolished, if not for the rescue provided by real estate developer Harry B. Helmsley, whose Helmsley chain of hotels bought it up for the air rights for his the 51-storey Helmsley Palace Hotel (now called The New York Palace) located immediately behind them. The center wing of Villard Houses is now the formal entrance of the hotel.

How to reach Villard Houses

Villard Houses are at 457 Madison Avenue. Take the E or V train to the Fifth Avenue / 53rd Street subway station. Walk east along East 53rd Street until intersection with Madison Avenue. Turn right, walk south along Madison Avenue until you reach Villard Houses on your left. They are located across from St Patrick's Cathedral on your right.

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