Willard D. Straight House

History

The house was designed by the firm of Delano & Aldrich in the neo-Georgian style and was completed in 1915. The ground floor of the house is organized around a circular hallway in the 18th-century style topped by a dome, with a patterned black and white marble floor. The Straight family also owned a complementary building at 162 East 92nd Street, also designed by Delano & Aldrich, that was used as a garage. The second and third floors of this building contained apartments for staff. Straight died during the influenza epidemic of 1918 and his widow Dorothy Whitney Straight continued to live in the house for several years with her children. She remarried and moved to England but continued to own the house until 1927.

The house was sold to Judge Elbert H. Gary, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United States Steel Corporation (who had recently sold his home at 956 Fifth Avenue which was demolished to make way for a new apartment building), who died in the house the same year. The next owner was Harrison Williams, a utilities investor, and his wife Mona.

In 1952, the house was sold to the Audubon Society for use as their headquarters, which they called the Audubon House. The Society left in 1971, In 1974, the building was sold to the International Center of Photography for use as a new museum devoted exclusively to photography with photo‐journalist Cornell Capa as executive director. The mansion is a New York City designated landmark.

In 2000, ICP sold the building for $17.5 million to hedge fund founder Bruce Kovner for use as a personal residence. The noise and debris associated with Kovner's years-long conversion of the building back to a residence reportedly caused his neighbors dismay.

References

References

1. (11 June 2009). "A Mansion for Me, Another for My Cars". [[The New York Times]].
2. (14 October 2001). "Streetscapes/1915 Straight Residence, Until Recently the International Center of Photography; The Northernmost Mansion Built on Fifth Avenue". [[The New York Times]].
3. (12 July 1927). "E. H. GARY HOME ON VIEW.; Public Is Being Admitted for the Benefit of a Charity.". [[The New York Times]].
4. (16 August 1927). "VICTIM OF HEART DISEASE; End Comes in New Home on Fifth Avenue After Long Illness. CONSCIOUS TO THE LAST Burial Will Be at Wheaton, III. -Nation's Business Leaders Pay Him Tribute. BUILT UP HUGE INDUSTRY. Served as an Executive 25 Years -- One Estimate Puts His Wealth at $25,000,000.". [[The New York Times]].
5. (20 July 1952). "Audubon Group Buys House on 5th Avenue". [[The New York Times]].
6. (22 May 1974). "New Museum for Photography To Be Headed by Cornell Capa". [[The New York Times]].
7. (June 21, 2018). "Willard and Dorothy Whitney Straight House".
8. (8 April 2011). "The 1915 Willard D. Straight House - No. 1130 Fifth Avenue". Daytonian in Manhattan.
9. (19 August 2001). "POSTINGS: International Center of Photography's New Midtown Home; An Underground Minicampus". [[The New York Times]].
10. (5 October 2003). "NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: UPPER EAST SIDE; A Famous Mansion's Face-Lift Gnaws at Neighbors' Raw Nerves". [[The New York Times]].