Knickerbocker Club Building

History and architecture

Recognized as one of the finest examples of the neo-Federal style in New York City, the Knickerbocker Club Building was built between 1913 and 1915 by the fashionable architectural firm of Delano & Aldrich. Occupying a prominent lot at the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 62nd Street, the building was designed to fit comfortably into the surrounding residential neighborhood as well as to maintain the club's historic presence on the avenue. The restrained elegance of this, the third home of the venerable men's club provides a fitting setting for the institution's prestigious members. Organized on October 31, 1871 the Knickerbocker Club was founded as a reaction against the relaxation of admissions standards which following the Civil War, had changed the character of the time-honored Union Club.

Included among the eighteen founding members were such prestigious New Yorkers as Alexander Hamilton, jr., Alonzo C. Monson, August Belmont, John L. Cadwalader and John Jacob Astor. The war had proved a mighty impetus to an already healthy economy and the proliferation of new wealth had a dramatic effect on New York City's social structure. Bowing to the pressures of the day, the Union Club unquestionably the leading club in the city, expanded its membership.

Many of the club's associates were opposed to the directions which were being undertaken and sought to create a new club modelled on the Union Club of former times. The men who undertook this project clearly had been considering the matter very carefully. By the time of the official founding on Halloween of 1871, a constitution had been drafted, a list of prospective members and officers had been compiled and information regarding a possible clubhouse had been gathered.

Subsequent meetings were most often held at the city's most fashionable restaurant, Delmonico's at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 14th Street. Here the founding members ironed out organizational procedures and finally selected a name. From a slate which included such entrys as Crescent, Half Moon and Federal the final selection of Knickerbocker was made. The choice like the spirt of the club was understandably reflective of the city's early history.