Syracuse University

Amidst New York City landmarks such as The Pierre Hotel, Central Park, The Plaza and Barneys, sits still another landmark of grand New York history and elegance. Although it might not be known by name to the average New Yorker, Syracuse University's Joseph I. Lubin House, which occupies the buildings at 11 and 15 East 61st, has a remarkable history that reads as though lifted from New York's Social Register. You may first notice it because of the jaunty orange Syracuse flag flying outside, but it is the buildings' exquisite interiors that suggest its venerable history.

The townhouse at 11 East 61st Street was designed by architect John G. Prague and constructed in 1876. Records show the first owner as Mrs. Susan Sullivan, but historians say it would have been highly unlikely of a woman--particularly one with an Irish surname--to have purchased the land and contracted the building on her own at that time. More likely it was built for her by her husband or her father.

The 100-foot lot was purchased for $26,000; the townhouse cost an additional $25,000 to construct. Although the original style of the building is unknown, it was a first-class brownstone of the era: four stories high and 25 feet wide, occupying only 40 feet of the land. And it was built with a hot-air furnace, something only the very wealthy could afford.

The house changed hands several times and in 1883, was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. William F. King. The Kings hired C.P.H. Gilbert, a Beaux-Arts trained architect known for designing the Woolworth mansion and a leader of New York City's Romanesque revival, to renovate. The house was extended, an additional floor was added, and an elevator was installed.

In 1897, the house was sold to Sir Almeric Hugh Paget, Baron of Queensborough, the 14th child of the Marquis of Anglesney, who had made a fortune in American real estate speculation. Paget subsequently married Pauline Whitney, eldest daughter of William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy under Grover Cleveland. After their wedding, the Pagets engaged McKim, Mead and White to give the house more grandeur. The dining room was extended for entertaining, and elaborate mantelpieces--which remain in the house today--were imported from Europe. Mrs. Paget's brother, Payne Whitney, also lived in the house for a time.

In 1901, the Pagets moved to London and the house was sold to Wesley Thorne. Shortly thereafter, it changed hands again and was purchased by John Teele Pratt, son of Charles Pratt, an oil pioneer and partner of John D. Rockefeller.

In 1912, Pratt and his wife, Ruth Baker Pratt, reengaged C.P.H. Gilbert to add a sixth floor and install a skylight over the stairwell. In the late twenties Mrs. Pratt became the first woman elected to congress from New York.

In 1917, the Pratts moved next door to 7 East 61st Street. The house changed ownership again and in 1923 was purchased by Elbridge Stratton. Stratton retained famous architects Delano and Aldrich for a major renovation. The architects altered the original dormer windows and covered the facade with brick, giving the building its current neo-federal appearance. One of the architects, Chester O. Aldrich, later served as president of the Kips Bay Boys' Club, an association that played a role in the life of the house 60 years later. (In 1977, Syracuse University "loaned" Lubin House to the Kips Bay Boys' Club for its prestigious annual decorator show house. Among the decorators involved were "Prince of Chintz" Mario Buatta and Living a Beautiful Life guru Alexandra Stoddard.)

In 1927, the house was purchased by Charles Shipman Payson and his wife, the daughter of Payne Whitney. The Paysons lived in the house until after World War II, when they leased it to the Russian Consulate as an annex. Legends persist of a Russian woman who jumped from an upper story window to escape being returned to the USSR. She was reportedly granted asylum in the United States.

In 1947, the house was sold to the 29 Club. The club was founded by a group of businessmen after the stock market crash and counted Dwight D. Eisenhower among its members. The club remained at the house until 1964, when it disbanded, and the house was put up for sale.

It was purchased by Joseph I. Lubin, a New York philanthropist who had risen from the slums of Brooklyn to become a renowned accountant and real estate investor. Although Lubin earned degrees from Pace and New York University, his daughter Ann (now Ann Lubin Goldstein) attended Syracuse, earning a bachelor's degree in drama in 1948. From the time Lubin brought Ann to Syracuse for an admissions visit, Lubin embarked on a lifetime friendship with then-Chancellor William Tolley and a relationship with Syracuse University that was just as enduring.

Over the years Lubin had contributed generously to Syracuse University in a variety of ways: he established the Lubin-Tolley Book Fund for the purpose of purchasing rare books; he contributed to the construction of Manley Field House and renovation of Hendricks Chapel; and he established a scholarship fund. Tolley named him a lifetime trustee in 1953.

Syracuse had been trying to establish a greater presence in the New York metropolitan area, and had a one-room office at the now-demolished Biltmore Hotel. Lubin purchased 11 East 61st Street for the express purpose of donating it to Syracuse University. The facility--originally called Syracuse University House--was initially intended as a gathering place for area alumni. The walnut-paneled dining room, art gallery, and library could be used for classes, seminars, meetings and receptions.

The SU Board of Trustees held their first meeting outside of Syracuse at the House on June 4, 1965. "The opening of Syracuse House, the new headquarters of Syracuse alumni in New York City, has already had a tonic effect on alumni morale in the metropolitan area," Tolley said at the meeting. In December 1965, the building was renamed in honor of its benefactor and has been henceforth known as the Joseph I. Lubin House.

In 1966, the building next door at 15 East 61st Street was put up for sale. With the idea of one day expanding its existing space, Syracuse purchased the building. At that time, the five-story limestone building was divided into nine apartments - all rented. Syracuse assumed the role of landlord.

By the early eighties it was evident the needs and uses of Lubin House had surpassed the facility's capacity. Satellite admission and development offices were in operation. The guest rooms on the upper floors were kept busy by faculty and administrators with University business in the city, and a full schedule of social and educational events kept alumni visiting.

In 1981, Joseph Lubin made another major gift to Syracuse, this time donating funds to help renovate the neighboring building into usable space for the University. But it wasn't that simple. The apartments in the building were rent controlled and rent stabilized. Tenants were paying $300 to $500 a month for apartments in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods on the Upper East Side, apartments that would command five to six times as much rent on the open market. The University began a long legal process to displace the tenants and assist them in finding new housing. The University gained full occupancy of the property in 1992 and a major renovation commenced the following year.

The five-story building was originally designed by architects Breen and Nason for William B. Parsons and was erected in 1879. In 1919, it was purchased by Henry Batterman, owner of the old Batterman department store in Brooklyn, who commissioned the very fashionable architect of the time, Mott B. Schmidt, to renovate. That facade remains today.

The inside, however, has changed a good deal. Unfortunately, aside from several original fireplaces (which have been preserved) the building lacked the period charm and interesting details that make Lubin House so noteworthy. Under the direction of 1960 School of Architecture graduate Richard Hayden and his esteemed firm Swanke, Hayden and Connell, floors were removed and rebuilt at the same levels as those at 11 East 61st and the two buildings were adjoined at the first, second, third floors. A large multi-use space was created on the first floor, enlarged quarters for admissions and development on the third and fourth floors, and additional meeting and overnight rooms. The renovation was completed in spring 1995.

In 2001, under the direction of Richard Hayden once again, building 11 underwent overall renovations to its infrastructure and restoration of the House's historic rooms. Renovations were completed in summer 2002.

While Lubin House was originally envisioned primarily as an alumni center, the expansion helped complete the facility as a multi-service satellite for a university focusing its attention on students. Now, as many prospective and current students come through the Lubin House doors as do former students. Metropolitan New York-area high school students interview for admission; current students take part in special courses and programs run out of Lubin House; and students meet with alumni and professionals in their fields in career development and placement programs.

A grand and vital history continues.