1929

Manhattan: Broadway - 32nd Street

(1) Hotel Martinique, Broadway, at the N.E. corner of 32nd Street. P. L. Sperr April 22, 1929. (2) The same, an aerial view. P. L. Sperr April 22, 1929. According to the New York Times of July 1, 1939, the abovementioned structure has been leased by the Metropolitan Insurance Company until December 31, 1949 to a syndicate headed by Frank W. Kridel, operator of several other large hotels. The 600-room hostelry has been improved and modernized; public rooms and some other parts of the building have been air-conditioned. Many of the original features for which this hotel is famous have been retained in a more modern setting. The elaborate Roman-style ceiling is admired by many. It was laid by Italian workmen brought to this country for this purpose. The inlaid tiles in the lobby and corridors and the ancient Wynwood Martinique clock are retained to delight lovers of antiques and clock experts. The clock is perhaps the most interesting decorative piece in the building. It was fashioned by hand by H.T. Crawford, clockmaker to royalty, in 1691, under a special commission from Sir Ralph Wynwood. It furnished the English craftsman carved the figure of St. Matthew, standing and kneeling, attended by cherubs around the day of the month. At Sir Ralph Wynwood's death the fifteen-foot It was later bought for $8,500 by Mrs. Elizabeth C. Cole of New York. William H. Martin purchased it in 1911 from the estate to add to this collection. Later owners were Cornelius Vanderbilt and Oliver H. Belmont, but Mr. Martin again thought to install in the Broadway hotel which has been in operation for forty years.

Photo from the New York Public Library - Milstein Collection