National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Resource History and Description of Existing Conditions
it is an eclectic mix of motifs including gothic arches and tracery executed in the overdoors to
the Elliptical Hall and Vestibule. There is an element of the art nouveau style, as well in the
sinuous curves of the fireplace surround and carved tiles, the leading of the window, and the
strap hinges of the door and desk. The beamed ceiling is painted a mottled red between the
beams. The plaster ceiling is ornamented with appliqués attached in a random and asymmetrical
fashion. In contrast to the elaborate carved surfaces of the Dining Room and Living Room, the
Lobby is very spare, mostly relying on the rich expanses of mahogany for surface decoration.
The Lobby was designed by the French-émigré decorator Georges Glaenzer, one of at
least four rooms that he designed at the Vanderbilt Mansion. It is documented by four drawings
that are signed but not dated. 589 The room was reconfigured in 1915 by William Rider, a
carpenter. 590 The reason for changes appears to relate to the addition of a larger sink to the
small lavatory in the southeast corner. Formerly, this room contained a small corner sink
opposite the toilet and access to it was only from the Lobby. 591 The door to the Den was not
changed, except that it became encased in the Lavatory and that side of the door is now painted.
New paneling was added to box out and enlarge the Lavatory, or possibly paneling removed
from the inside of the original room was reused on the boxed-out partition. There is a hatch
opening in the ceiling where the tank was and original paint colors are visible.
In the Lobby, the boxed-out partition has a lower roof than the ceiling of the general
room. The ornate wood carving in the overdoor section of the door to the Den can still be seen
when one looks over the box.
On the south wall of the Lobby, a built-in bench seat with back was designed to be
upholstered in embossed leather. The plaster wall section above this bench was designed to be
finished in rough plaster. Instead, two ceiling-high bookcases are now located in this position;
they were most likely installed in 1915 at the time that the adjoining bathroom was expanded.
589
# 11, Looking Towards Den, #12, East Side, #13, North Elevation, #14 West Elevation.
590
The alterations of the bathroom are recorded in a Ledger, Collection of VAMA.
RECORD OF SUPPLIES 6/1910-8/1916:
p. 173 Jan 25 1915 JL Mott Iron Works 1-27 x 20 Beveled Plate Glass Mirror
N.P. Frame 14.66
p. 174 Jan 25 1915 Canfield Supply Co. Silver Plating 3 Lavatory
Fixtures & repairing Waste 5.97
p. 175 Jan 1915 Wm Rider 98 hrs Work of Carpenter .47 46.06
3 Nails .15 - 4 doz Screws .16 Glue .40
p. 177 Feb 1915 MW Collins 1pe Marble Slab 5.
p. 178 Feb 1915 GB White 1 pr N.P. Basin Fountain 5.
p. 178 Feb 1915 Wm Rider Material 23.45 Labor 37.60 Mansion "Toilet off Den" ***
p. 178 Feb 1915 Harry Kimlin Materials 22.65 Labor 20. Mansion "Toilet off Den" ***
p. 178 Feb 1915 Henry Myers Materials 157.09 Labor 51.89 Mansion
p. 179 Mar 17 1915 The Schatz Mfg. Co. Silver plating Hardware 17.05 .60 12.65
p.180 Mar 27 1915 JL Mott Iron Works 1-Nickel-plate Brass Safety Match Holder Plate 3623A 2.20
1-Plate Glass Shelf 27" x 5" x ½" .86
1-Nickel-plate Brass Bracket &Glass Towel Rack 3509-A 7.25
I thank Peggy Albee for sharing this research with me.
591
Since extant toilet room does not now show any signs of alterations, and it now is finished in
white floor tile, white wall tile, and white-painted plaster walls above the (approximately) 5 foot
high dado of tile, it may have been completely redone when alterations were made.
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