The Washington times., 1904-05-15
MRS. ASTOR'S GYMNASIUM
A MARVEL OF LUXURY

here. too. they keep their athletic toys.
Lockers line the walls and great mar
bic bathroom opens out farther along.
Extra Guest Chambers.
Back up the long hall. through the
big loungfng room. the way leads 10
the western wing. sacred to the men
who are Colonel Astor's guests. Here
are five bedrooms-rooms kept always
ready for the men when the main house
is taxed to overfowing.
These rooms are each a gem Of the
decorators art. Beds, furniture. hang
ings. and wall papers were MADE to or
der. All the furniture Is white enamel
The walls are hung with English papers
In great flower designs and the curtains
are OF cretonne to match Heavy-piled
velvet carpets OF single tones cover the
floors With all these comforts goes a
locker room where the men may keep
their athletic clothes.
Here. too, are the bathrooms. each one
as big as a bedroom Each Is doored
and walled in great marble slabs, and
fitted with heavy porcelain showers,
tubs, wash bowls. and other accessories
The bachelor can call for no form OF
bath luxury and not find It So It Is
In the bathrooms set apart for the
ladies.
Particularly noticeable are the beds
in each Of the five rooms. These are
OF white enamel with rattanned head
quite the novelty in beds. All were made
especially for this new building.
Comforts of Club.
To the left down the corridor to the
bachelor quarters Is what they politely
call the living room. But little wooden
topped tables. capacious leather chairs.
match safes. and little call bells tell the
story-it is d room OF refreshments
IL
and ice boxes for the wines and the
Whistles are just without. Here the
lucky guest OF Colonel and Mrs. Astor
will find all the comforts or his club
in the great bay window OF the red bro
cade-hung room looking out upon the
shining HudSCa.
Nor Is this all Below stairs are sew
for the building and attend the mistress
and master. Here are the dynamos that
light the building. the boilers that heat
*, and the engines that pump the water.
Besides the Wallets ana the maids 70 Walt
upon her guests while they are exercis-
ing there are six others employed sole
ly to keep up the buildfHg-caretaker
and three helpers for squash and tennis,
and masseur and masseuse.
Cost S2oo,ooo.
To build this luxurious place for Mrs
Astor cost Colonel Aston 100000. Had ne
been compelled to pay for the land II
would have been more. Everything In
the way of accessories is of the best
that money can buy. Where stone Is
used il Is always marbles where there Is
wood II Is either heavily enameled
white wood or else oak or mahogany.
All the metal work is of the heaviest
French gilt Doorknobs and bathroom
fixtures are all of cut glass The plumb
ing Is silver-plated. All the fioorings are
laid in parquet work. The tennis courts
wells and roof are braced with steel
beams.
Here, too. will be installed a room for
fencing and another room where there
will be dumo-bells and Indian clubs.
chest weights and rowing machines.
Mrs, Aston already has several additions
In mind for her newest possession. and
they will come in time. Then she Will
have not only the costliest. but the most
complete private gymnasium in the
country TO say nothing of the most
beautiful one.
OF all its advantages none is more ap-
parent than its location. 1t stands out
on the bluff, 200 feet above the Hudson.
Below Is n glorious vista of mouatain
and rolling hills. To the north loom the
grim Catskills. their SUBMITS girded
With clouds. To the west is more noun
tain country, and 10 the east a smiling
OF woods and gestures -