New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-14
CLUBS MOVING UPTOWN.
THE UNIVERSITY HAS INVESTED sS03.OOO
IN A SITE ALONE.
PREVALENCE OF THE TENDENCY IN THE GREAT
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS TO GO NoRrHwARp
GREAT AMOUNTS SPENT IN SECURING
b slr7;nAsE COMFORT AND LUXURY
FOR THE MEMBERS.

Be sln7;nAsE. COMFORT AND LUXURY
FOR THE MEMBERS
The purchase by the University Club Of site
for a clubhouse at Fifth-ave. and Fifty-fourth
ct. is n striking illustration Of the royal manner IN
which the great social organizations arc provldms
for themselves not only comfort and enjoyment
but luxury as well. This movement. too marks
the tendency which has taken possession OF the
more prominent clubs 10 move uptown.
When the Metropolitan Club was organized IN
1891 and selected a site OF Fifth-ave and Sixueth-
IT.. members OF many other leading clubs declared
that the property was too far uptown. and that
sufficient membership to make the club success
could not be secured Although tho Metropolitan
may have been five years ahead OF the times. re-
cent movements in club life and contemplated
changes northward show that Fifty ninth-st Is no
longer regarded TOO Ear uptown for club purposes
In connection with the uptown movement OF
clubs as indicated by the action OF the University
Club. an important feature has been manifested
II IS the desire OF clubs 10 own their own houses
and tho ground which they are built WHO
the outlay as In the cases Of the University Club
the Metropolitan Club and few others may seem
heavy. these organizations deem 1t preferable 10
pay interest and taxes than rent.
LARGE AMOUNTS INVESTED IN SITES.
The University Club first purchased for its
site n plot fronting 100 feet in Fifh-ave. and l2J
feet In Ffty-fourth-st. for $4,000 Then II added
to this two lots west plot % by 200 feet run
ming from FIT, fourth TO F!fty-hfth-st.. which
would make possible an extension TO the latter
street for $4,000 Here is "a total outlay of $500,
900 for land alone.
The metropolitan Club paid sOcoo for Its site on
q plot 200 by 700 feet. This shows the really mag
nifcent scale which these clubs proceed In
acquiring their land and homes
The New York Athletic Club is erecting house
for ftself is ground at Sixth-avc and
Central Park NJ total estimated outlay OF more
than 100000 The Harmonic Club is looking for
site above Fifty ninth-st either in Madison
ave. or Central Park West. where It can own Its
own clubhouse and grounds Tho Progress Club
already has IT'S own house and plot ut Fifth-ave.
and Siyty-thirdsi There Is strong element in
the Union Cub which would like an uptown site.
but FOR is purposes such plots are exceedingly
scare
The Knichcrboclcr cub has its own house. and
owns tic land which It stands. So does the iiar-
ward CAB This Sc also TUE of the great German
clubs tho LieGcrkranz the Arion AM the Freund-
schaft. The Union League Club. rs IS well known.
tho owner lis beautiful headquarters. although
It pays ground rent. The LOtos The Colonial and
the Ecw-York clubs their own buildings and
the land which they arc bunL
Tho stewart mansion. which The Manhattan Club
occupies is m illustration cf the tendency of the
great social organizations to seek choice hcadquar-
ters The Manhattan. of course leases the build
ing.
THE UNIVERSITY CLUES DECISION TO MOVE.
After long and earnest consideration. the council
OF tv"nty members which is the governing body of
the University club decided to report in favor Of
the now site. Tho club had outGrown its present
quarters. and fell The pressing need OF larger ac-
cominoGations. = re was an clement there is
in all clubs opposed to any change. but there was
a writing list Of $50 applicants eager 10 secure ad-
mission. The way finally became clear rs 10 the
financial side OF tho question. and the council re-
ported in favor Of the proposed new site at Fifth
.tIl ia fl-ef on 70
Is last at special meeting Of The club. BESIDES the
s6500p necessary for the purchase OF the land, II
estimated that the new building would cost
100000 while 10000 more would be necessary fer
furnishing the new home. Here was total OUTLAY
in SIGH, Of $.2i5O0o Yet The club decided to under
take the expenditure.
The proposed building IS 10 be six stories
high and besides the usual features of first
cla.. clubhouse 1t will contain hrerroof library
room with b.easan- niches for study sleeping rooms
Win luths attached. a mining tank root gar
den AMI storage room for bicycles. The Library
o. dee club &. an exceedingly valuable one. ard con-
ssis nov Of about thirteen Thousand volumes. and
the number is rapidly increasing On June g the
club Hooded to increase It's presen: limit OF mem
hershp from 200 to i.7oo resident members ana
from 90 20 1900 nonresident members. making
tott Of 5000 members. The present waiting list
viii raise the membership TO nearly ZOO
The University club has had brilliant career.
and j: has been necessary from time 20 time to
eab1rGe the lint OF its membership 1t IS the pest
known organization OF its kind n the United States
1t vas incorporated April %. 1866. and in care
fully and persistently following ont rs declared
purposes 4 has been exceedingly successful. These
purposes have been the promotion % literature and
arr through Tho establishment OF library. a read
ing-room. art gallery and such other means az
might from time to time suggest themselves as ap-
propriate
REQUISITES FOR MEMBERSHIP
lhorc hi &c
cured college or university degree in regular
course have received honorary degree from
such an institution for earning distinction in lit
erature. science or public service. Graduates
OF the United states Military or Naval academies
also eligible.
The University Clubs headquarters for nine years
were me clubhouse al the southwest corner of
Ffh-ave. and Thirty-ffth-st adjoining the Stew
art mansion and now occupied by the New York
Club. when took possession in 1855 when the Uni
versy Club moved 10 its present home The
membership OF the organization is notable for its
varied and high character Literature art. science
professional and business life in their various forms
are all represented here There is also q business
end 10 the club. which is Of extreme Importance.
The club. in fact. is strict business pr.n-
cples. which prohably accounts for the fact that
II now has surplus OF $4,000 10 apply toward
curing home
The officers OF the club President James W
Alexander; v!ce-president. c. c. Beaman treas
urer. George Sherman; secretary. Hugh d. Auchin-
Gloss. The council is composed Of the following
members c. C. Beaman, Cornelius C. Cuyler Ar
thur NJ. Dodge. Loyal Farragut H. Walter Webb
Charles l.. Atterbury. Charles r. Barney William
L. Bull George l.. Peabody. Charles H. Russell
James W. Alexander. Hugh D. Auchnc!oss George
Blagden. David J.. Haight. George Sherman Otto
T. Barnard. T. Frank BroWnell. Horace J. Hay
den Henry f. Uowland and Charles Scr.bner
AGITATION CAME TO NAUGHT
From time to time there has been talk I'm the