History and architecture
The University Club on its conspicuous corner site is one of the handsomest buildings on Fifth Avenue. Although this granite building of stately end noble proportions closely resembles a sixteenth century Italian Renaissance palazzo, It a exterior displays a combination of original architectural features. The handsome facade Is divided into three main horizontal divisions separated by two strongly defined band courses.
Early in 1854 a group of men who had been intimate friends in college discussed the idea of founding a University Club. They had previously met on Saturday evenings for three years as an organization known as the Red Room Club, The following year, a Charter, 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, was granted by the legislature on April 23, 1865.
They originated something that was new in the club life of New York, a club that required an Intellectual and cultural background for member ship, a college degree. For fifteen years, prior to occupying their present home in 1899, the club had its headquarters in the Jerome Mansion, it the southeast corner of Twenty-sixth Street and Madison Avenue on Madison Square, The University Club membership today totals over 4,000 members, representing more than 230 American colleges and universities, and some forty foreign institutions.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.