The Finest Staircase In New York (or perhaps anywhere)

“In its grand scale, distinguished design, and superb construction,

[the house] has the finest Renaissance style staircase in New York.”

Scottish American industrialist Andrew Carnegie wanted to protect the value of his Manhattan mansion, located on Fifth Avenue between 90^th and 91^st Streets. So in 1898 he bought up all the land surrounding his home.

Between 1905 and 1913, under pressure from the city, Carnegie broke up [some of] the land and sold it to people who he approved of to be his neighbors – investment banker and philanthropist Otto Kahn, and iron entrepreneur James Burden.

Otto Kahn built his in town home at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 91^st Street- an 80-room mansion inspired by the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome, and resembling his Long Island estate, now known as Oheka Castle. Next door is James Burden’s former 50-room home- a very similar mansion, designed in the Beaux-Arts style.

pictured: "Blue Bloods" star Vanessa Ray being photographed at The Burden Kahn Mansions for her "Sophisticated Weddings" Magazine cover feature; "Glamour"

Years later the two homes were joined internally and are now The Burden Kahn Mansions- one of the most majestic and regal private events venues in country. Among the various elements that make this venue special, which include a terrace on the Fifth Avenue side that overlooks Central Park, a Palace Of Versailles inspired ballroom (for Burden’s daughter’s wedding), an enclosed limestone courtyard that is ideal for ceremonies, and more.

The Burden side of the venue also features a winding, Hauteville marble, spiral staircase with a deep red velvet banister, climbing three stories towards an incredible Tiffany stained glass domed skylight framed by a baroque mural by French Artist Hector d’Espouy hovering above.

pictured: Dr. Wellinthon García & Ross Mathews of "The Drew Barrymore Show" during the photo shoot for their "Sophisticated Weddings" Magazine feature; "A Pair Of Kings"

The New York City Landmarks Commission notably remarked: “In its grand scale, distinguished design, and superb construction, [the house] has the finest Renaissance style staircase in New York.”

BONUS PHOTO:

pictured: "Sophisticated Weddings" Editor-in-Chief Samantha Sendor; behind-the-scenes of the magazine's photo shoot with "Blue Bloods" star Vanessa Ray at The Burden Kahn Mansions.