New-York tribune., 1909-09-25
Story of Manhattan Architecture


81. and those more recently admitted. Messrs.
William NJ Kendall. B. L. Fenner and w. s.
Richardson, were prepared with equal scholastic
excellence It may also BE- said that many mem
bers OF other firms chiefly pride themselves
upon the fact that their most valuable training
was received in the offices OF McKim. Mead &
White
Ranking with the most notable In excellence
and volume are the works OF Francis II. Kim
bail. who is regarded as a leader among the
American architects who were influenced by the
Gothic revival in England some thirty years
ago. This influence came about through the
fact that Trinity College, of Hartford had en-
gagged William Burgess. the London architect. to
design its new buildings. and engaged Mr.. Kim
ball to so to England to study the plans in the
making that he might later properly supern-
tend their execution The year he devoted to
this study was OF inestmabe value to the
young American. Mr.. Burges a master OF
the French Gothic. and the influence Of that
style is to be found in most Of Mr.. Kim5alI 5
best work
Mr.. Kimbalrs initial experience in New York
was an engagement to remodel the old Madison
Square Theatre, but a pleasant memory.
The result was one Of the most artistic interiors
known 10 the New York theatrcgoing public OF
that day. 1t resulted also in causing him 10
make theatrical architecture something OF a
speciality. his work in this particular field inc!ud-
ing the Garrick the Fifth Avenue and the
Casino The last named was the joint creation
OF Mr. Kimball and Thomas Wsedeu. with
whom he was at that time in partnership In
recent years the Casino. INTELLECTUALLY speak
ing, has been sadly changed aad cheapcncd but
originally il was one OF the most perfect ana adj
mirable structures In all the city II possesses
without incongruity mixture OF many styles.
but In both exterior and interior treatment the
wealth Of detail Is distinctly Moorish.
In later years Mr.. Kimball has been prOmi-
nently identified with the "skyscraper' in the
| construction of which. indeed. he may be re-
garded OF the pioneers. He and George
X. Thompson were the architects Of the Man
haitian Life Building, among the very first ex
amples OF steel frame construction. Other nota-
bic specimens Of Mr.. Kimbalrs achievements Ia
commercial architecture to be found in the
Standard Oil. Empire. City Investing. Trinity
Seligman. Brunswick. United States Realty and
| the Trust Company Of America buildings these
being representative Of the best type OF the
modern "skyscraper"
The Manhattan Beach Amphitheatre. the
Montauk Club, OF Brooklyn. and numerous COun-
try homes. particularly in Connecticut. are
among his other miscellaneous works. but of
those not previously named perhaps the most
notable are tie Emmanuel Baptist Church, Of
brooklyn, ana the OalOilt AIDSlOIlc luItlls ~
New York In these artistic individuality is
peculiarly evident. In the former the typical
rite OF the denomination permitted Mr., Kimball
| 10 plan a unique and beautiful font a feat
| ure while of the latter competent critics say
that there IS more charming or scholarly
work in New York.
The house of Henry Phipps. at No 1868 Fifth
avenue while not among the larger or more
| elaborate Of recently erected New York City
! homes, Is generally regarded somewhat more
! than approaching perfection in metropolitan
| residential architecture. 1t is also considered
as the best work of it's character thus far de-
signed by Messrs Trowbridge & Livingston
I who while not without a reputation for the ex-
! ceIlence Of their achievements in other phases
Of their profession. have been peculiarly happy
! In their conceptions OF classic but uncOnven-
tionaI city residences. Those who have not seen
| or have not carefully studied the beautiful
structure in question may gain some idea OF its
admirable qualities from the fact that on ac-
count OF this distinguished work of architect
ure" it's designers were awarded the annual gold
medal OF the New York Chapter Of the Ameri-
| can Institute OF Architects.
Among more recent works is the Park avenue
home Of George Brewster a creation of some
severity but eminently successful. and pos
sessing many excellences well as no little
beauty. Here. and in all that Messrs. Trow-
bridge & Livingston have DONE the classic in
huence is evident. Probably a sturdy belief In
the classic style Is Unborn In both. but II was
doubtless accentuated by Mr.. Trowbridges early
studies In Greece. where he went to superntend
the construction Of the American School of
| Archaeology.
Both members OF the firm were thoroughly
trained for successful professional work. Mr.
Livingston who is a member of the family Of
that name that has long played so important {