Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-25
DREXEL HOME IN LONDON
New House VIII he PaIacc-One of
Largest Residences in
Europe.

LONDON, oct. 24.-CSpccialD-Mr. and
Mrs. Anthony Drexel's new London home
is one OF the largest and finest private resi-
dencos in Europe, and the building alone
is estimated to have cost nearly 1000. 600.
The Drexcl palace-for such it is-stands
on the corner Of Grosvenor square and Aud
ley street, in one Of the most exclusive
quarters OF the West End, and is about
fifty yards from the Fifth avenue Of the
metropolis-Park Lane. From the outside.
the structure looks more like a large hotel
than a private residence.
For some time the Drexels debated
whether or not they would take a house
in Park Lane facing Hyde park. Rumor
said that they had decided on the great
mansion left by Barney Barnato. Mrs.
DreXel finally decided against 1t, as it was
not sufficiently ''roomy," the interior being
divided up into too many apartments. In
addition to this, the ill-luck which attended
Barnato Immediately after building his
Park Lane palace is said to have preIudiced
the DreXels against it. OF course. the mere
matter of money made no difference what
ever. 1t will be that Mrs.
Drexel rented Norris castle at an enormous
figure for a whole year simply to spend
one week at Cowes, the famous yachting
resort.
The new house in Grosvenor square is
considerably larger than Barnato's Park
Lane mansion. ami is somewhat peculiar in
the fact that it has great length, but not
very much depth. This has the advantage
Of providing a very long ball room. The
interior of the DreXel home is being fitted
up-to use a stock phrase in a literal sense
with sumptuous splendor. The entrance
] han fa -, ,rLgt. -..A1 -.
feature is the absence OF the usual marble
staircase. Instead, the visitor is confronted
with a series of paneled glass partitions.
inset with' mirrors, which give the impress
sion that a second house has been built
within the first one. One or two marble
steps lead up to this mirrored panelug.
through which doors open upon the drawing
room, ball room and other apartments on
the ground floor.
II report speaks truly this house will be
a palace Of beauty and magnlficence.
Tapestries from the east will decorate the
oriental part. An Indian artist in decora-
ton has come over especially to superin-
the house which will be in eastern style,
while a Frenchman in the same profession
is taking charge OF the rooms which will
illustrate the Louis XIV and XVI periods.
Unlike. most London mansions, the Drexel
home is equipped with elevators-or lifts
as the English call them-and also with
every modern electrical device for heating
and lighting. This winter Mrs. Drexel will
open the home with a great house warm
ing, after which she will give a number
OF magnificent balls and parties. Mrs.
Anthony DrcNel is already a great favorite
with the elmer circle" OF the English
Smart Set and her daughter. Miss Mar
garetts, is said to be greatly admired by
Queen Alexandra. II is reported that a
suite of special apartments has been set
aside for King Edward, who is expected
TO be a frequent visitor. The kings suite
Will never be occupied by anyone else but
his majesty. This is the first instance on
record where an American has made such
elaborate preparations for English royalty.
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