The 1948 Artistocrat Apartments - 45 West 54th Street

 

photograph by Lowell Cochrane

In 1948, the Kleban Construction Company contracted architects De Young, Moskowitz & Rosenberg to design a 13-story apartment building at 45 through 53 West 54th Street.  Completed the following year, the Aristocrat Apartments reflected the last gasps of Art Moderne architecture, teetering on the verge of Mid-Century Modern.

The entrance most vividly anticipated Mid-Century designs.  Its glass-and-brass doors were centered within a wide recess faced in polished marble.  Each row of the upper floor openings, modern versions of Chicago Style windows, were framed in a single, sleek frame.  Set-back corners provided terraces on the 11th floor.  The architects chamfered the corners of the 11th- and 12th-floors, giving those apartments spectacular views in three directions.  The penthouse level sat back, providing additional terrace space to its two apartments.

Potential residents could choose from "two, three-and-a-half, four-and-a-half, and five-room" apartments.

In 1955, six years after its opening, 45 West 54th Street was purchased by Henry Goelet and his associates.  Almost immediately, a plan was initiated to convert the building to a cooperative.

Harry P. Somerville and his wife, the former Mary Thorp, moved into the Aristocrat in 1957, after moving back to New York from Washington D.C.  Born in New York, Somerville began his career in real estate in 1919 after serving with the 69th Infantry of the New York National Guard in World War I.  In 1925 he became manager of the Hotel Bretton Hall. 

As Executive Secretary of the President's Cup Regatta in 1936, Harry P. Somerville (right) hands a clock topped with a model gold speedboat to John A. Remori.  Looking on is Admiral Harry G. Hamlet of the U.S. Coast Guard. from the collection of the Library of Congress.

The Somervilles relocated to Washington when he accepted the position of managing director of the well-known Willard Hotel.  He remained there until 1942 when he joined Broadcast Music, Inc.  He was honored with a testimonial dinner upon leaving the Willard.  Among the letters and telegrams that were read that night was one from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt:

Dear Harry:

What is this I hear about your leaving the Willard?  I am indeed sorry to see you go.  What will I do when I want terrapin?  It has been grand to have you in Washington and this note takes to you my very warm personal regards and every best wish for the future.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Harry Somerville retired as vice president of Broadcast Music, Inc. in 1957.  He and Mary returned to New York and into 45 West 54th Street.

Other early owners of the co-ops were Walter and Belle Lehman.  In 1959, Walter became president of the diamond firm Arnstein Brothers, Eichberg & Co., Inc.  His passion for his job was reflected in his memberships in the Jewelers' Trade Board, the Diamond Dealers' Club, the Diamond Trade Association and the 24 Carat Club.

photograph by Lowell Cochrane

The Dunaeff family lived here at the time.  Son Ray got an early start in modeling and acting under the stage name Ray Weston.  For years the boy landed roles on television shows like the Patty Duke Show, The Nurses, and For the People.  Tragically, he contracted cancer and died at the age of 15 on April 23, 1967.

Bertram H. Hegeman and Novella Wren Henderson Adoue were married in 1964 and moved into 45 West 54th Street along with Novella's daughters from a previous marriage, Pauline and Novella Adoue.  The family maintained a country home in Rye, New York and a winter home in North Palm Beach.  Hegeman was vice president/director of the rental division of Rockefeller Center.

The Hegeman family was visible in society in all three locations.  On December 28, 1967, The Rye Chronicle reported, "Miss Novella Adoue, debutante daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Hegeman, Westchester Country Club grounds and 45 West 54th Street, New York City, was honored December 21 at a small private dinner in the Rainbow Room followed by the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show."  The following night, said the article, Novella was "formally presented at the Debutante Cotillion and Christmas Ball at the Waldorf Astoria."  

Debutante entertainments normally lasted for weeks if not months and the article noted, "Miss Adoue will also be presented June 26 at the Westchester Cotillion and another private party given by her parents at home will climax her debutante year."

Pauline (known as Polly) Adoue was married to Frank Scanlon in 1970.  She would go on to become president and CEO of American Health Care Resources.  Novella would remain single.

photograph by Lowell Cochrane

DeYoung, Moskowitz & Rosenberg's 1948 design survives as an important transitional example from Art Moderne to Mid-Century styles.

many thanks to reader Lowell Cochrane for suggesting this post