Top show! I've been to Temple Place. It's a neo gothic masterpiece. Thank God for these wealthy eccentrics with exquisite taste. (It's pronounced vi-count)
Good evening Ken... As I studied these incredible places, I was trying to picture myself in them......of course I would be in the cleaning department...lol thank you.. as always a real treat....
Always amazing. Too bad we don't have appropriate class today. Personally, I found his English homes more comfortable, but must give credit to the woodwork at the original Waldorf Astoria. Have you ever been to the "new" one in NYC. Didn't Jackie Kennedy invest in its restoration? Thanks, Ken.
Though Jackie Kennedy Onassis was involved in New York's nascent restoration movement in the mid sixties, in the wake of the demolition of Penn Station to make room for a new Madison Square Garden, it's unlikely that a restoration campaign was necessary for The Waldorf, since it remained one of the most expensive hotels in New York. Today it's undergoing major restoration and a conversion of the majority of its rooms to condominiums, since they are where the money is. A similar conversion was performed at The Plaza in the recent past. Though I would love to be able to take a stroll through the old Waldorf Astoria hotel on 34th Street, which must have been the grandest expression of late nineteenth century Gilded Age privately owned public space in American history, it's hard to argue against the sentimental and iconic value of The Empire State Building! Interestingly, financially, The Empire State Building has never really been very valuable, its office space not ever being particularly prized by successful businesses and, of course, it was completed just as the great depression was gaining frightening momentum. I don't know what it would take to convert it to condos or, partially, to a hotel, but I'm sure it's been discussed.
About the Chateau de Brissac. I take it that he just leased it because everything that I can find about the chateau has the Cosse family (ducs de Brissac) having owned it since 1502 and still owning it today. Excellent video.
Could you do a video about the Georgian masterpiece along Park ave and 93rd built by Florence Baker Loew's brother, George Fisher Baker jr.? Its now the Russian Orthodox Church and 'The Annex' built by George jr for his father, George Fisher Baker, one of the richest men in America at the time, is for sale on Zillow for 18 million. Thanks for the videos--always fascinating!
It`s hard to imagine how anyone can have that much time and money to do that much in a lifetime. Buying and collecting and decorating all those houses and building the hotel just seems bizarre.
It's not passion that todays billionairs lack, it's cheap labor. Even adjusting for inflation, carpenters, brick masons, stone carvers, etc. cost a lot more today than they did back then.
9:48 Anne Bo Lynn (phonetically) This is the first time I’ve questioned if the voice is AI. Reason, I’m positive that Ken would not make that pronunciation mistake 😐
That was an oversight on my part. At times, my Southern roots subtly emerge in my speech, despite my efforts to maintain a neutral presentation voice. Rest assured, this channel is not AI-driven, and I have personally appeared in several videos over the years.
Thanks, Ken, for a tour of these incredible Astor estates. I strongly dislike what has happened to the current Waldorf Astoria.
I always learn so much from your videos. Thank you for all the history and for sharing all the beautiful architecture!
Top show!
I've been to Temple Place. It's a neo gothic masterpiece. Thank God for these wealthy eccentrics with exquisite taste.
(It's pronounced vi-count)
An extraordinary collection of houses and buildings. Great story 😊
Good evening Ken... As I studied these incredible places, I was trying to picture myself in them......of course I would be in the cleaning department...lol thank you.. as always a real treat....
Always amazing. Too bad we don't have appropriate class today.
Personally, I found his English homes more comfortable, but must give credit to the woodwork at the original Waldorf Astoria. Have you ever been to the "new" one in NYC. Didn't Jackie Kennedy invest in its restoration? Thanks, Ken.
Though Jackie Kennedy Onassis was involved in New York's nascent restoration movement in the mid sixties, in the wake of the demolition of Penn Station to make room for a new Madison Square Garden, it's unlikely that a restoration campaign was necessary for The Waldorf, since it remained one of the most expensive hotels in New York. Today it's undergoing major restoration and a conversion of the majority of its rooms to condominiums, since they are where the money is. A similar conversion was performed at The Plaza in the recent past. Though I would love to be able to take a stroll through the old Waldorf Astoria hotel on 34th Street, which must have been the grandest expression of late nineteenth century Gilded Age privately owned public space in American history, it's hard to argue against the sentimental and iconic value of The Empire State Building! Interestingly, financially, The Empire State Building has never really been very valuable, its office space not ever being particularly prized by successful businesses and, of course, it was completed just as the great depression was gaining frightening momentum. I don't know what it would take to convert it to condos or, partially, to a hotel, but I'm sure it's been discussed.
Brilliant video, as always. Thank you for.
I love it when taste & money collide
Wonderful episode, Ken. btw, it is pronounced 'VIE-COUNT' (long A, silent S). Thanks for your good works!
That wood panelling is beautiful. I liked the white marble house.
The chateau in England was beautiful! I stayed at the "newer" Waldorf - Astoria Hotel in NYC in the 80s, very austere.
About the Chateau de Brissac. I take it that he just leased it because everything that I can find about the chateau has the Cosse family (ducs de Brissac) having owned it since 1502 and still owning it today. Excellent video.
My Grandma taught me to make Waldorf salad. It's soo delicious. 🤤🤭
On Fawlty Towers, Basil Fawlty tried to sell a customer a Ritz salad. It didn't end well.
Could you do a video about the Georgian masterpiece along Park ave and 93rd built by Florence Baker Loew's brother, George Fisher Baker jr.? Its now the Russian Orthodox Church and 'The Annex' built by George jr for his father, George Fisher Baker, one of the richest men in America at the time, is for sale on Zillow for 18 million. Thanks for the videos--always fascinating!
Merry Christmas 🎄
It`s hard to imagine how anyone can have that much time and money to do that much in a lifetime. Buying and collecting and decorating all those houses and building the hotel just seems bizarre.
Something to do.
what a life
👍
If only 21st century billionaires had the passions of these visionaries...
How would you know poor ass
It's not passion that todays billionairs lack, it's cheap labor. Even adjusting for inflation, carpenters, brick masons, stone carvers, etc. cost a lot more today than they did back then.
@@jimbo1637
At least they weren't hoarding their money. Elitist but not exclusionary.
Money doesn’t buy class or style. Our world is currently full of bogan billionaires. The US is run by the biggest
These are the kind of people who told the gov't what it was going to do. Today it's corporations.
Money! Money! Money!
9:48
Anne
Bo Lynn (phonetically)
This is the first time I’ve questioned if the voice is AI. Reason, I’m positive that Ken would not make that pronunciation mistake 😐
That was an oversight on my part. At times, my Southern roots subtly emerge in my speech, despite my efforts to maintain a neutral presentation voice. Rest assured, this channel is not AI-driven, and I have personally appeared in several videos over the years.
AI couldn't master the ending line w/ the deep, sexy voice rolling out "This House!" 😊
The s in viscount is not pronounced and the i has a long vowel sound - FYI
The correct pronunciation of viscount is "vy count."
Was this the Astor who died on the Titanic ?