The Original Hearst Quintuplex Penthouse

Immortalized in the classic film Citizen Kane, William Randolph Hearst (born 1863) was a legendary figure wielding great influence on the politics, economy and culture of his time. By 1920, it was said that 1 in 4 Americans read a Hearst newspaper every day and Hearst had assembled a fortune estimated to equal $30 billion in today's dollars. His movie studio, Cosmopolitan Pictures, produced 35 movies, many of them starring Marion Davies, his long time companion. In California he built the magnificent San Simeon Castle where he lavishly entertained the important people of his time.

Before moving to California Hearst lived with his family in New York City where he created another extraordinary home --a precursor to San Simeon.  His search for the perfect site to build his splendid and unique Penthouse led him to a hill overlooking the fabled Hudson River, at 137 Riverside Drive, where he leased the top three floors and then, in 1913, bought the whole building for the sum of $950,000. This quintuplex comprised floors eight through twelve and was at that time the largest and most opulent apartment in the city. A top floor medieval tapestry gallery spanned a block long expanse overlooking the river and featured suits of armor, stained glass windows and art taken from European palaces. Other rooms, the Greek Room, English Room and the Julius Caesar Room, were lavishly appointed in the style their names suggest.

The Present

Entering the reception hall from the private elevator landing, the impression of tremendous scale and natural light which characterized the original Hearst Penthouse can be immediately felt in the soaring ceiling heights and extraordinary open views of the Hudson River. The grand living room with fireplace opens to a south-facing terrace which also connects to the kitchen. Along the western wall, the living room, which can be configured to accommodate a large dining room table as well, leads to a beautifully appointed library with custom shelving and Hudson River views. The library could also be converted to a formal dining room. Facing west and north, the palatial master bedroom suite includes a full bath, large walk-in closet, dressing room, as well as dramatic northern views as the George Washington Bridge and the Soldiers and Sailors monument. There is a second bedroom which includes a full bath and walk-in closet. The second bedroom and master bedroom both open onto an enormous north and east facing terrace. The chef's kitchen includes an informal eat-in space, ample storage, and access to the south-facing terrace.

Utilizing either the internal stair or the internal elevator, the second floor of this triplex penthouse includes two large bedrooms which share a full bath, ample storage, a terrace facing east and north, a large gallery and finally a third bedroom with two closets, a full bath, and access to another L-shaped terrace facing east and south. The third floor of the penthouse features a large solarium, presently configured as a media room and gymnasium, with a vaulted ceiling capped by a skylight. There is a large full bath and a gallery on this floor as well as an expansive terrace which runs the full 94 feet of frontage along Riverside Drive.

The Future

Two acclaimed art collectors, William Randolph Hearst and the present owner, selected this unique location for themselves and their immense art collections. The qualities that appealed to them - extraordinary interior scale and size with exquisite terraces - and magnificent views in every direction will draw the next generation seeking these irreplaceable features.

Encompassing 17 rooms with abundant outdoor spaces throughout all three levels, this mansion above the Hudson River gives new meaning to the oft-used phrase chateau in the sky. It is unique in possessing an incomparable historical and artistic provenance, one that can never be duplicated. It is truly a penthouse for the ages.