Washington Mews
Encyclopedia
Washington Mews is a private gated street in New York City
between 5th Avenue and University Place just north of Washington Square Park
. It was originally a mews
(row of stable
s) that serviced horses from homes in the area. Since the 1950s the former stables have served as housing, offices and other facilities for New York University
.
; upon Randall's death, he bequeathed the land to what became known as Sailors' Snug Harbor. The institution leased the land, using the resulting income to establish its Staten Island
complex; the homes built on the land along the north side of Washington Square and the south side of Eighth Street came with two-story stables built along what became known as Washington Mews. The private stables were used by the families of men such as Richard Morris Hunt
, John Taylor Johnston
, and Pierre Lorillard.
In 1881, New York City's Department of Public Works
ordered the construction of Washington Mews first gates at each end, in an apparent attempt to distinguish the Mews from public streets. In 1916, Sailors' Snug Harbor had a dozen of the stables remodeled into artist studios, designed by Maynicke & Franke
; during the 20th century, artists living there included Paul Manship
, Gaston Lachaise
, and later Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
.
Around 1950 New York University
leased most of the entire property and gradually converted the buildings along the Mews into offices and faculty housing. In 1988, NYU hired architect Abraham Bloch to design a new six-foot-high Fifth Avenue gate, replacing the simple posts-and-chain used since the studios were built.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
between 5th Avenue and University Place just north of Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is one of the best-known of New York City's 1,900 public parks. At 9.75 acres , it is a landmark in the Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village, as well as a meeting place and center for cultural activity...
. It was originally a mews
Mews
Mews is a primarily British term formerly describing a row of stables, usually with carriage houses below and living quarters above, built around a paved yard or court, or along a street, behind large city houses, such as those of London, during the 17th and 18th centuries. The word may also...
(row of stable
Stable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
s) that serviced horses from homes in the area. Since the 1950s the former stables have served as housing, offices and other facilities for New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
History
Washington Mews is on land that in the 18th century was part of a large farm owned by Capt. Robert Richard RandallRobert Richard Randall
Captain Robert Richard Randall was a noted sea captain in life and since his death in New York City on the 5th of June, 1801 has been a philanthropist who has helped thousands of seafarers through the charity he directed be formed from his estate in New York City; later to be officially called The...
; upon Randall's death, he bequeathed the land to what became known as Sailors' Snug Harbor. The institution leased the land, using the resulting income to establish its Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
complex; the homes built on the land along the north side of Washington Square and the south side of Eighth Street came with two-story stables built along what became known as Washington Mews. The private stables were used by the families of men such as Richard Morris Hunt
Richard Morris Hunt
Richard Morris Hunt was an American architect of the nineteenth century and a preeminent figure in the history of American architecture...
, John Taylor Johnston
John Taylor Johnston
John Taylor Johnston was born on April 8, 1820, the son of John Johnston, a prominent merchant banker in New York City. Johnston was the founding president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870, as well as the President of the Central Railroad of New Jersey from 1848 to 1877...
, and Pierre Lorillard.
In 1881, New York City's Department of Public Works
Department of Public Works
Department of Public Works is a common name for government departments responsible for public works. It may refer specifically to:* Public Works and Government Services Canada* Department of Public Works and Highways...
ordered the construction of Washington Mews first gates at each end, in an apparent attempt to distinguish the Mews from public streets. In 1916, Sailors' Snug Harbor had a dozen of the stables remodeled into artist studios, designed by Maynicke & Franke
Robert Maynicke
Robert Maynicke was an American architect. The New York Times called him "a pioneer in the building of modern loft buildings."...
; during the 20th century, artists living there included Paul Manship
Paul Manship
Paul Howard Manship was an American sculptor.-Life:Manship began his art studies at the St. Paul School of Art in Minnesota. From there he moved to Philadelphia and continued his education at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts...
, Gaston Lachaise
Gaston Lachaise
Gaston Lachaise was an American sculptor of French birth, active in the early 20th century. A native of Paris, he was most noted for his female nudes such as Standing Woman.-Early life and education:...
, and later Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was an American sculptor, art patron and collector, and founder in 1931 of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City...
.
Around 1950 New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
leased most of the entire property and gradually converted the buildings along the Mews into offices and faculty housing. In 1988, NYU hired architect Abraham Bloch to design a new six-foot-high Fifth Avenue gate, replacing the simple posts-and-chain used since the studios were built.