University Club of New York

History

Early years

In late 1861, a group of Yale College alumni from the classes of 1859 to 1861 formed the Red Room Club to continue their collegial friendship. The club initially held meetings at the family house of Francis Edward Kernochan at 145 Second Avenue in Manhattan. During the winters of 1862 and 1863, the club met on Saturdays in one room of the Kernochan house, dubbed the "Red Room". According to a later Harper's Weekly magazine article, the club had no regular organization; the only common trait was that the members were Yale alumni. The club met at 7 West 30th Street during 1864 after Kernochan's father Joseph fell ill, interfering with the activities of the club. Cofounder Henry Holt recalled that, in late 1864, one member of the club had suggested that a university club be created. Joseph Kernochan died in late 1864 and the estate was broken up, including the family's Second Avenue house. Francis and his brother J. Frederic took rooms on 12th Street, where the Red Room Club continued to meet through early 1865.

The University Club of the City of New York was officially incorporated on April 28, 1865, by act of the New York State Legislature. The club was incorporated "for the purpose of the promotion of literature and art, by establishing and maintaining a library, reading-room, and gallery of art, and by such other means as shall be expedient and proper for such purpose." The founding members had graduated from various colleges and universities in addition to Yale. The club's first president, Theodore William Dwight, was a Hamilton College alumnus and a professor at the Columbia College Law School. George Van Nest Baldwin was the vice president, Theodore B. Bronson was treasurer, Edward Mitchell was secretary, and the founders listed in the acts of incorporation were appointed to the club's council. The original constitution did not appear to have initiation fees and the club seems to have not restricted membership based on how long ago a member graduated from a college or university. Nonetheless, membership was restricted to men.

After incorporation, the club officers wished to collect $4,500 from members to raise money for a clubhouse. In November 1865, Dwight announced that all membership dues had to be paid immediately, but that less than half of members had paid their dues. The next month, the club was able to sign a short-term lease at a townhouse on 9 Brevoort Place. This clubhouse was on what is now 10th Street east of Broadway. In its first year, the University Club had over 100 names on its rolls. The club had so little money, the townhouse's landlady agreed to accept $750 of the $1,250 lease payment. Disputes over financing continued through 1867, even though the space was subleased to Loyal Legion, which similarly had low finances. Having no money to pay off outstanding debts or lease space, the University Club moved out of Brevoort Place in late 1867.

Permanent clubhouse building

By the mid-1890s, the University Club had no vacancies in its membership and hundreds of people on a waiting list to join. However, the Jerome Mansion was becoming too small to meet the club's needs. As early as 1893, the club had considered buying the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 54th Street was part of the old campus of St. Luke's Hospital, which had moved to Morningside Heights, Manhattan, in 1893. A real-estate speculator had offered to buy all 32 land lots on the old St. Luke's campus for $2.4 million, or $75,000 per lot. The hospital's trustees had rejected an offer from the University Club to buy only eight of these lots at $93,750 each, and the University Club rejected the trustees' counter-offer of $125,000 for each of the eight lots.

At the meeting of February 1896, a five-person committee was created to identify sites for a new clubhouse. The club had a dedicated clubhouse fund of $300,000. On May 4, 1896, the committee announced that it had examined several sites and recommended three sites. The northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 54th Street, on the old campus of St. Luke's Hospital, was again suggested. Two other sites along Fifth Avenue were also suggested: one at the southeast corner with 37th Street and one at the southeast corner of 44th Street. The 54th Street parcel could be bought for $675,000, while the 37th and 44th Street parcels were offered by the Stevens family under 20-year leases at $35,000 per year.

The council moved to recommend the 54th Street site on May 5, 1896, as that offer expired in 48 hours. Conflicting explanations are given for why the 37th and 44th Street parcels were rejected. The historian John Tauranac and a club historian write that the council preferred to not lease their space, but The New York Times reported that these parcels were considered "the wrong corners" because northwest and northeast corner sites enjoyed more direct sunlight. The next week, the members at large voted to approve the 54th Street site, which consisted of five lots. With the assurance that a new clubhouse would be developed, the council was finally able to increase its membership.

Charles F. McKim, who was a club member, was selected as the primary architect of the new clubhouse in June 1896. The next month, the club's council authorized the purchase of two additional lots immediately adjacent to the property from the Rockefeller family, one on 54th Street and an adjacent tract on 55th Street. McKim's firm McKim, Mead & White filed plans for the building in May 1897, and construction began the same month. Charles T. Wills was hired as the general contractor. The building's predicted cost was over $2 million, including land and furniture. The club took out two mortgage loans, one for $1.2 million and another for $350,000. The development of the new clubhouse was described in the New-York Tribune as part of a trend of clubs relocating uptown. By late 1898, the clubhouse was nearly completed.

Mid-20th century to present

Women were banned from the clubhouse altogether until 1928, when they were allowed to attend Sunday evening suppers, as well as the biannual ladies' supper. In 1940, the clubhouse hosted a couples' dance for the first time in its history. The clubhouse became a New York City designated landmark in 1967.

By 1980, the club's council was considering women as full members; even though the club's bylaws did not prohibit women, none had ever been accepted as members. At the time, the New York City Council was contemplating a bill that would prevent gender- or race-based restrictions for private clubs. Opponents of the proposal said the club was meant for men and that accepting women would cause pressure for the admissions committee. The council had given women the right to use the private library in early 1980 without consulting the members. At a vote that May, the members voted to prevent women from obtaining full memberships. The city government enacted its antidiscrimination law in 1984 and opened an investigation into the University Club in 1986. Fifty-three percent of members voted in January 1987 to ignore that law, though some opponents said they voted to protest the city government regulating what the club could do. To comply with the law, the club was considering firing many of its waitstaff. Finally, in June 1987, the club voted to allow women to become members. Within a year, 16 women had been admitted as members, out of 4,000 total members.

The clubhouse accumulated dirt throughout its history until it was cleaned in 1984. The annex was cleaned before the main building was. The facade, which had darkened to a gray hue, was restored to its original color, although architectural critic Christopher Gray said the change "was not necessarily an aesthetic improvement". In 2005, the clubhouse underwent renovation and was covered with scaffolding. The work involved removing the balconies and bronze railings for restoration. The restoration architects intended to preserve the bronze, which had oxidized over time into a dark green color. In 2012, Manhattan Community Board 5 approved a modification of the clubhouse's main entrance. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in 2020, many members relocated to the suburbs, prompting the club to fire some workers.

Clubhouse

McKim, Mead & White designed the University Club's clubhouse, and William M. Kendall of that firm was also involved in the design process. The architects drew inspiration from their education at the École des Beaux-Arts. It was designed like a 16th-century palazzo in the Mediterranean Revival and Italian Renaissance styles, although the building also has distinct architectural features not inspired by the palazzo style. The building's design resembled that of the Palazzo Rucellai and the Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

The current clubhouse is composed of two adjoining structures. The original nine-story building at Fifth Avenue and 54th Street measures 100 by 140 feet (30 by 43 m) at ground level. The annex to the west of the original clubhouse is six stories high and 25 feet (7.6 m) wide on 54th Street, while it is nine stories high and 27 feet (8.2 m) wide on 55th Street. Various contractors were hired to construct the clubhouse. Post & McCord were given the iron contract while the Norcross Brothers were given the granite contract. McKim, Mead and White also commissioned Edward F. Caldwell & Co. to provide light fixtures for the University Club's clubhouse. The addition was constructed by general contractor Marc Eidlitz & Son.

Site

The University Club's clubhouse is in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It is on the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue to the east and 54th Street to the south. The land lot is L-shaped and covers 22,650 square feet (2,104 m2), with a frontage of 100 feet (30 m) on Fifth Avenue and a depth of 175 feet (53 m) along 54th Street. The westernmost section of the lot extends the entire depth of the city block to 55th Street. The lot originally had a frontage of 100 feet on Fifth Avenue and 150 feet (46 m) on 54th Street. An additional 25-foot-wide strip of land on 54th and 55th Streets, extending 200 feet (61 m) deep between the two streets, was obtained in 1916. With this purchase, the University Club's site assumed its current frontage of 175 feet on 54th Street and 52 feet (16 m) on 55th Street.

To the west, the clubhouse abuts the residences at 5, 7, 9–11, 13 and 15 West 54th Street and the Rockefeller Apartments, while to the north, it wraps around The Peninsula New York hotel at Fifth Avenue and 55th Street. The clubhouse is also near Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and 712 Fifth Avenue to the north, the St. Regis New York hotel to the northeast, 689 Fifth Avenue and 19 East 54th Street to the east, the William H. Moore House to the southeast, and Saint Thomas Church and the Museum of Modern Art to the south.

Facade

The original nine-story facade is clad with pink Milford granite. The granite is divided into rusticated blocks, though the grooves of the rustication are less deep on upper stories. The facade is divided into three tiers, with horizontal band courses separating the bottom, middle, and top sections of the building. Each of these sections, measuring three stories high, have double-height arched windows at the bottom. There are also carved marble shields on the third and sixth stories, which depict the eighteen universities or colleges that most of the members attended. One of the institutions, the United States Naval Academy, had no seal, so the architects invented one for the facade. Beneath the shields are inscriptions with the universities' names in Latin, sculpted by Daniel Chester French. These seals were commissioned at a cost of $1,000 each (equivalent to $38,700 in 2025) and were funded by members who were alumni of the respective colleges. The corners of the building have slightly projecting rusticated piers reaching its full height.

On the first story, there are six arched windows on 54th Street, three on each side of the decorative main entrance; there are also five similar windows on Fifth Avenue. There are keystones above each of the window, which depict mythological characters such as satyrs, nymphs, and the gods Pan and Bacchus. The 54th Street entrance consists of a massive arch flanked by a pair of rusticated columns, above which is a lintel, as well as a carved head in the archway's keystone, which depicts Pallas. The archway as a whole is designed in the Doric order. The columns consist of alternating sections with two primary motifs: decorated flutes and bands ornamented with foliage that encloses the club's monogram, as well as the initials of universities and colleges from which the club's members graduated. The entablature is adorned with triglyphs, metopes, and mutules, which are designed to harmonize with the columns. The third-story mezzanine contains rectangular openings above each of the windows (eight on 54th Street and six on Fifth Avenue), which alternate with French's carved marble shields. There are four shields each on 54th Street and Fifth Avenue.

The middle section also has double-height arched windows on the fourth story: seven on 54th Street and five on Fifth Avenue. Outside some of these arched windows are ornate balconies with iron railings. These consist of a long balcony on Fifth Avenue (spanning the center three windows there) and three short ones on 54th Street (spanning one window each). These balconies have Italian Renaissance and Roman motifs, consisting of panels enclosing pierced acanthus scrolls. Above each individual window are keystones that depict poets and philosophers such as Homer, Socrates, Goethe, Dante, and Shakespeare. The row of arched windows is topped by rectangular openings on the sixth floor, which alternate with the carved college shields. There are six shields on 56th Street and four on Fifth Avenue. Above the center window on 54th Street is the club's shield, sculpted by Kenyon Cox.

Interior

The interior arrangement was designed with three double-height main floors and three mezzanine stories above them. The first, fourth, and seventh stories were the main floors respectively contained the lobby, library, and dining rooms. The center of the building on each main floor is designed with a square hall containing marble columns. All stories are connected by elevators. The elevators and staircase are placed in the northwest corner of the building, and the elevators from the outset were meant to provide the primary access to each floor. The lack of a grand staircase allowed the building to be designed more efficiently. The staircase, connecting all the stories of the building, is made of marble with metal balustrade and wooden handrail. The clubhouse also included amenities that were typical of other clubhouses, such as a swimming pool, library, lounges, and guest rooms.

The first floor of the Club is occupied by the central hall, with a lounging room on the east side and an office and cafe on the west side. The hall is rectangular in plan, measuring 25 feet (7.6 m) high, 60 feet (18 m) long, and 50 feet (15 m) wide. It has a vaulted ceiling supported by dark green Connemara marble columns with gilded Doric capitals at their tops. The hall is also surrounded by piers, which form a peristyle, behind which is an aisle with a lower vaulted ceiling. Along the outer walls are Connemara marble pilasters, between which are Italian mosaic panels in several different colors. These pilasters support a decorative entablature. There are doorways leading to surrounding rooms, which contain white Norwegian-marble architraves above them. The floor consists of Italian and Vermont marble panels interlaid with foreign marbles. Immediately opposite the entrance, on the north wall, is a fireplace topped by a sculpted panel by Charles E. Keck. Atop the east and west walls, above the doorways leading respectively into the lounging room and the office, are gold reliefs depicting the eagle and wreath of Trajan's Forum.

Leading from the central hall's east wall is a hallway with a candelabra designed by Edward F. Caldwell. Three arched portals at the end of the hallway lead into the main lounging room (now the Reading Room), which occupies the full length of the Fifth Avenue facade. The Reading Room contains a gilded ceiling with a central oblong panel surrounded by smaller panels. The room was designed like a Roman Renaissance apartments. The walls have with pilasters reaching from the floor to the entablature, with the arched windows in between along the south and east walls. The arched portals on the west wall have marble door architraves, and the fireplace also has a marble architrave. The pilasters have an ornate entablature, the paneled ceiling is gilded, and the frieze on the walls has marble panels. The pilasters and woodwork are of Italian walnut, while the walls are fitted with a deep-toned red velvet. The room was originally decorated with red, green, blue, and gold colors and had paintings. In addition, there was red velvet furniture.

Memberships

The club, nicknamed "The U" by its members, ranked among New York City's most exclusive social clubs by the 21st century. The club is not affiliated with any other University Club or college alumni clubs.

Under the 1879 constitution, the club's executive powers were held by a 20-member council and membership was handled by a 21-member council. All members were required to have graduated from a postsecondary institution at least three years prior or received an honorary A.M. or LL.D.; in the latter case, the graduation requirement was waived. In addition, Military Academy and Naval Academy graduates were eligible. Before 1885, the required minimum period of graduation was five years. The constitution initially allowed any honorary degree holder to become a member, but the constitution was amended in 1882 to restrict the criterion to certain degrees. As of 2021, all members were required to have earned a baccalaureate degree from any college or university that had accreditation, as long as they sent a proposal for admission form and letters of recommendation from existing members.

In the 1879 constitution, it was provided that all members who joined before May 10, 1879, would pay a $50 initiation fee (equivalent to $1,728 in 2025), and all members after that date would pay $100 (equivalent to $3,455 in 2025). Members who were residents of New York City paid $50 in annual dues and non-resident members paid $25. In 1895, life memberships were introduced; members of at least ten years could purchase life memberships for $750 (equivalent to $29,025 in 2025). The first life membership was issued to philanthropist Joseph F. Loubat that year. In the 21st century, modern membership fees and statistics were generally not publicized, but The New York Times reported in 2015 that annual fees ranged from $1,000 to $5,000.

The maximum number of members has varied over time, and the 1879 constitution originally restricted the club to 750 members, without apportionment based on whether a member lived in the city. By 1914, the club's constitution provided for a maximum of 2,000 resident members and 1,500 non-residents, including military personnel. By the 1980s, when women were allowed to become members, the University Club had 4,000 members. Members were also allowed to bring visitors with them. The club's constitution initially allowed visitors only if they would ordinarily also be eligible for membership, if they resided within 30 miles (48 km) of New York City Hall and worked in the city. In 1886, the rule that required visitors to be eligible for membership was removed. By the 21st century, the University Club's clubhouse was being used frequently for finance-related events.

House rules

The University Club maintains a dress code as part of its house rules. As of 2021, male members and guests must wear jackets and dress shirts and were recommended to wear ties. Female members and guests had to wear tailored "clothing meeting similar standards", such as suits, dresses, or skirts with sweaters or dress shirts. The dress code prohibits informal clothing. Turtle necks, Sneakers, and denim are prohibited. During weekends, members could wear polo shirts instead of jackets in several rooms, and members and guests could wear prohibited clothing if they used the secondary entrance at 3 West 54th Street to access a guest room or athletic facility. The University Club continues to allow nude swimming for men, unlike other private clubs in New York City, which had banned the practice.

The University Club's house rules also restrict electronic devices, photography, and the use of the club's name. According to the house rules, cell phones are required to be silenced and could not be used except in telephone booths or private rooms. Additionally, other devices such as laptops could be used only in the library or other parts of the clubhouse. The house rules also required members or guests to obtain permission before photographing the club or describing its facilities and activities. The club's house committee had to approve any media appearances involving the club. Smoking and bringing animals into the clubhouse was also generally prohibited under the rules. The club has strictly enforced regulations on guests, as in 1997, when then-U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton and reporter Cindy Adams were ejected after they broke a rule regarding discussion.

Club seal

The University Club had no official seal until 1883, when the secretary was asked to create a seal "with the name of the Club in a circle with the date of incorporation in the centre". With the construction of the 54th Street clubhouse, the club adopted a more ornate seal in 1898. The design was made by Kenyon Cox and the escutcheon on the facade was sculpted by George Brewster very closely to the original drawings.

The design represents two Greek youths, their hands clasped in friendship. One of them holds a tablet bearing the word "Patria". The other holds a torch representing learning as well as eternity. The flame was inspired by Ancient Greek mythology, in which a succession of runners carried a burning torch and passed it to each other; this was meant to symbolize how learning was passed down between generations of scholars. Behind the two youths is a figure of Athena, the Greek deity of wisdom, on an altar. A Greek language inscription on the club seal translates to "In Fellowship Lies Friendship".

Notable members

Founding members

The University Club's articles of incorporation on April 28, 1865, list the following individuals:

The University Club's founding membership includes the men who participated in the predecessor organization, the Red Room Club, from 1861 to 1864. These members were all alumni of Yale and graduated from 1859 to 1863.

Other members

In the first year book, the names on the rolls included:

Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard, president of Columbia University

Edward Cooper, mayor of New York City

Chauncey M. Depew, U.S. Senator from New York

Abram S. Hewitt, mayor of New York City and U.S. Representative from New York

Charlton Thomas Lewis, lawyer and author

Over the years, many notable professionals have been admitted as members. A partial list includes:

Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City

Temple Bowdoin, banker

Morgan G. Bulkeley, governor of Connecticut and U.S. senator from Connecticut

Clarence Cary, lawyer

A. Barton Hepburn, banker

J. Pierpont Morgan, banker. It was during a dinner at the University Club that J.P. Morgan formalized the purchase of Andrew Carnegie's steel company (one of the largest deals ever)

William Osler, physician, professor

David Paterson, governor of New York

Endicott Peabody, head of the Groton School

Henry Smith Pritchett, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology