The Mansions of Fifth Avenue

Comissioned by Cornelius Vanderbilt's son, William H. Vanderbilt, the Vanderbilt Twins were born when William bought an entire block of Fifth Avenue and built two mansions: one for him and his wife, and the other for his two daughters.

As the city expanded and the relentless churning of commerce caused New York's population to explode, the city pushed northward. As the city itself moved northward, so did its elite. They settled along the undeveloped edge of the brand new Central Park, building enormous homes and mansions to celebrate their fabulous wealth. This walk takes you through a selection of the Fifth Avenue mansions that would have once dominated the Avenue.