The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-09
Costly Manner I'm Which Millionaire
Gerry Reftted His House.

New York Herald.
Nearly every great mansion has it's distinctive
features, and some have two or more. This is
the with former Commodore Elbridge t.
Gerry's million-dollar residence at the south
cornere of Fifth avenue and Sxty-first street.
There are the law library, described recently in
the Sunday Herald the picture gallery, which
and the great stairway-a stairway that alone
cost Mr.. Gerry 600. Like the law library the
stairway was added to the residence after it
was finished and had been occupied for a sea-
son. 1t built from plans by Alfred Fucker,
and is said to have cost $1,000 a step. In the
original dwelling planned by the late Richard
M. Hunt, there flight of winding stairs
running to the third story and made of oak.
Mr. Gerry heard the criticism and soon after
ward he gave "a Commission for the new stair
case to Mr.. Fucker. Considering the difficulties
Of the width of the han and the height OF the
and is very creditable solution of the problem
presented.
of generous proportions.
Parting from the platform to right and left, 1t
ebove # ae tboub II e 10 h @
of one block Of Numidan marble, well selected
and of warm coloring. Its lines graceful and
to all appearances it touches floor and wall only
where good construction necessarily calls for sup
port 1t affords space and distance for a good
view of q fire painting by Jacques placed on the
wall.
The material of which the stairs are con-
structed is very rich. On a low base at the right
and left flank of the first step stand knights in
armor, who hold torches Of electric light. The
balustrades of wrought black iron inter
by polished gilt rails. Above this the stairwell
extends. to the roof offering an unobstructed
view of its beamed and paneled ceiling, sup
ported by caryatides from graceful models sur
mounting the capitals of wall pilasters.
The plastic frieze and the deeply nodded re-
lefs of the baronal ceiling of tie first floor, to-
gether with the tapestry and pictures covering
the wall surfaces, form an effect well studied
and without q contradiction
The main entrance Mr.. Gerry's mansion is
in Sixty first street, through porte cochere of
or fGp no Rs sss
at the street level. From it a double flight Of
stone steps, with richly wrought iron ratings
inmates opposite the grand staircase. which oc-
cupes bay of the wide and lofty hall connect
ing the east and west wings of the dwelling.
The Fffth-avenue front contains the more i'm
portant rooms beginning with the main recep-
a domed ceiling and with its decorations and fur
niture is gem in the French spirit Next to it
are the library, large and smaller drawing rooms
and a conservatory. The decorations of these
rooms are lavish and show successful and con-
scientious adherence to three distinct periods of
French renaissance interior architecture.
Back of the main staircase hall, but adjoining
the smaller drawing room, is the picture gallery
a spacious chamber lit by skylght from above
and containing Mr.. Gerry's collection of paint
ings. There is large fireplace at the west end
of this room extending from floor to ceiling, cut
in two by a balcony running across the width of
the room, about ten feet above the floor.
The balcony railing is removed in front Of the
mantel to admit the view Of a fine oil painting
occupying the upper panel The picture gallery
and Mr.. Gerry's law library. adjoining it, afford
The musicians such occasions occupy the bal
cony in the picture gallery.
At the east end of the main entrance hall is
the dining room, a baronial banquet hall in di-
mansions. Its Caen stone fireplace, it's dark high
wainscot and magnificent tapestries on the walls
the beamed and paneled ceiling with its her
aldic color decorations. as we'll as the richly
carved sideboards and other furniture, show ex-
cellent taste. Huge torches of forged black iron
the incandescent lamps concealed, light the room
effectively and carry out the epoch of it's archi-
lecture.
Mr.. Gerry's study is also this floor next to
the dining room, but of direct access from the
entrance hall. Its position corresponds to the
ception the opposite side.