Bailey Mansion

USA / New Jersey / Edgewater /
 residence  Add category
Once the home of circus entrepreneur James Bailey of Barnum and Bailey Circus and later Ringlings Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. The rare free-standing house in Harlem, whimsical and turreted, measures 12,000 square feet and has original stained-glass windows and mahogany paneling . Mr. Bailey was one half of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, which Ringling Bros. bought in 1907. Marguerite Blake, a former funeral-home director, has owned the home since 1951. As of July 2009 on the market for $3.5 million. Sold in late August 2009 for $1.4 million.

harlembespoke.blogspot.com/2009/06/see-inside-bailey-ma...
www.john-perez.com/LV-138/LOFTS-LOCATIONS/BAILEY-HOUSE-...
 Add place (company, shop, etc.) to this building
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Anthony_Bailey
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   40°49'38"N   73°56'31"W

Comments

  • WOW! What a house. The heating bill must be a killer.
  • Begun in February of 1886 and completed two years later, this residence is replete with turrets, porches, balconies and no fewer than 66 windows. It was built for a personality equally elaborate. How appropriate that James A. Bailey, the king of circus-men, would build such a exquisite home for his family. Architect, S. B. Reed, unabashedly imitated the opulence of Fifth Avenue for this house. This freestanding 68' wide limestone mansion, with a silhouette of Flemish inspired gables and a large corner tower is reminiscent of a medieval castle. It contains one of the most extensive installations of Belcher mosaic glass, similar to Tiffany glass windows. Most of the panels are highlighted with small jewels, making them among the most complex scenic windows ever produced. This is truly one of New York City's finest relics of Victorian bravura. A boxed stoop with two changes of directions, almost like a small terrace, extends in front to the entry way. The rich workmanship, extraordinary carpentry, along with the incredible details given to each element, including fittings, fixtures, and decorative hardware, make this home a masterpiece. The French polished oak floors, with beautifully crafted mahogany inlays, greet you upon entering the double height entry foyer. The dramatic staircase in the double height entry foyer and 12' high mercury mirror are extremely impressive as you enter the home.
This article was last modified 5 years ago