351 through 353 Central Park West

by Tom Miller

In 1892 real estate developer Edward Kilpatrick commissioned Gilbert A. Schellenger to design five upscale private houses at 351 through 355 Central Park West.  The northern four were configured in an A-B-A-B plan, with high stone stoops and faceted oriels.  The corner mansion, however, was much grander.  Its entrance at street level sat within a double-arched portico on the side street.  Like its neighbors, its upper floors were faced in beige Roman brick.

In 1893, Kilpatrick sold 351 Central Park West to tobacco merchant John G. Gerken, No. 352 to Emilie Schumacher, and No. 353 to James Philipp Cahen and his wife, the former Eugenia Stern Strasburger.

James Philipp Cahen was the partner of his brother, Julius, in the dry goods business J. P. Cahen & Brother.  The same year that he purchased the Central Park West house, he was made president of the West Side Hospital and Dispensary.  Eugenia was also involved in charitable work and was president of the New York City Mothers’ Club.  The couple had four children, Elfie Julia, Lucile E. James Jr., and Evelyn Theresa. 

Unfortunately, she had lost almost all her money in investments.

In 1903, Gerken sold 351 Central Park West to tobacco mogul Solomon Schinasi, who bought it as an investment.  Soon afterward, he purchased 352 as well and leased that residence to Dr. E. Eberhard, who operated the Grand Conservatory of Music in the house.  Founded in 1872, Eberhard touted the conservatory as “the only music school empowered by act of legislature to confer the regular university degrees.”  Its 45-member faculty included (according to advertisements), “some of the greatest artists of this country and Europe.”

On October 3, 1914, the Record & Guide reported that Schinasi had leased 352 Central Park West to Mrs. Jane Stacey Bradford.  Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, the 52-year-old widow came from “a well-known New England family,” according to The Sun, which added, “Her husband, James Bradford, died twenty years ago, leaving her a substantial fortune.”  Unfortunately, she had lost almost all her money in investments.  Jane Bradford’s health was not good and prior to leasing No. 352 she had been abroad in hopes of recovery.  She moved into 352 Central Park West with her companion and housekeeper, Gertrude Fischer.  The Sun explained, “She had leased the house with the idea of taking in roomers.”

A month later, on November 14, the New-York Tribune reported, “Mrs. Jane Stacey Bradford…committed suicide by inhaling gas in her home, 352 Central Park West yesterday morning.  The article said, “Discouragement over her physical condition and difficulty in renting rooms are believed to have caused her to end her life.”

Schinasi next leased the house along with No. 351 to Ralfe Leech Sterner.  A baritone, he taught voice, was a former opera critic, and founded the New York School of Music and Arts in 1905.  He now operated the school from both buildings, while living in 352 Central Park West.  The New York School of Music and Arts remained in the two buildings throughout 1920.

In the meantime, the Cahens continued to live in No. 353.  James, Jr. graduated from Columbia University with an engineering degree in 1913.  In 1915 he joined the Army and served throughout World War I.  He married Jean Phyllis Rosenbaum on July 9, 1918.  The following year, on November 28, 1919, Eugenia Strasburger Cahen died at the age of 57.

James P. Cahen retired from the West Side Hospital and Dispensary in 1931, and died the following year September 30, 1932 at the age of 86.  Three years later, on February 9, 1935, The New York Times reported that the Cahen Estate had leased the house to Joseph Aleksa.  The article said he planned to remodel it “into one and two room apartments.”

By then, 351 and 352, now owned by Leon Schinasi, had been converted to apartments for a decade.  Four of the tenants of 352 Central Park West–sisters Vera L. and Julia Misha, and two houseguests, Estelle Burke and Frances Modjeska–narrowly escaped death on November 11, 1924.  At 10:30 that night, two men passing by the house in an automobile noticed smoke pouring out of the basement window.  They alerted the janitress, who called to the residents to leave the house.  The New York Times reported, “Everyone except the Misha sisters and their guests heard their cries.”

Just over three years later, on January 3, 1991, The New York Times reported that Kiska Developers had won the right to demolish the buildings.  

It was the clanging of the bells of the firetrucks that made the women realize that the house was on fire.  The Times said, “They tried to escape down the stairs, but by this time the main stairway was a mass of flames, and clouds of smoke drove them back into their apartment the minute the door was opened.”  Firefighters heard their cries from the window and a 60-foot ladder was raised.  Wrapped in blankets to protect them from the flames that were erupting from the lower windows, the girls were carried down by the firefighters.  The article said that the interior of the house “was badly damaged.”

In 1940, 351 and 352 Central Park West were sold together “for alteration.”  The former Cahen house was altered again by architect Joseph Lau in August 1954.  All three houses were purchased by Kiska Developers in September 1987 for $5.6 million.  The firm announced plans to demolish them for an apartment building.  The Landmarks Preservation Commission stepped in, awarding the row of five houses landmark status.  Its November 10, 1987 designation report noted that the houses were one of two extant rows of private houses on Central Park West and the only intact example.

Undaunted, Kiska Developers sued, pursuing a hardship plea.  Just over three years later, on January 3, 1991, The New York Times reported that Kiska Developers had won the right to demolish the buildings.  The two survivors of the row, 354 and 355 Central Park West, now sidle up a 19-story condominium structure designed by Yorgancioglu Architects.

Tom Miller is a social historian and blogger at daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com