35 Prospect Park West - thenPhoto: New York Public Library
According to the Park Slope Historic District's Designation Report, the building was the residence of George C. Tilyou, who built Steeplechase Park in Coney Island.
Somewhere, probably from our late father-in-law, we heard the story that Tilyou's widow, Mary, sold the building to developers on the condition that she could occupy one of the penthouse apartments for the rest of her days. We have no idea whether this is true or not, but it's a nice story. Do the facts support this tale?
A website gives George Cornelius Tilyou's dates as 1862-1914.
Another website says that the present-day apartment tower was constructed in 1929 by Emery Roth.
35 Prospect Park West - nowEmery Roth, architect - 1929
Yet another website says that Mary E. Tilyou, George's widow, lived in the tower until her death at 103 in the 1950s.
So it certainly seems possible that Mary Tilyou made some kind of an arrangement with Emery Roth!
5 comments:
More likely Mary Tilyou's deal was with the developers of the site, who were Realty Associates, according to an old newspaper ad in a 35 PPW tenants' brochure. Realty Associates built many of the homes in Lefferts Manor; the firm was composed of many prominent Brooklynites, including Frank Bailey (donor of Bailey Fountain in GAP). For more on RA: http://beta.local.yahoo.com/builders-prospectlefferts-gardens-part-iii-yahoo-contributor-network
Well, here is some info as well:
I was the only child living at 35 Prospect Park West (I moved in this wonderful building in 1957)
we had a 2 story apartment ( 14th & 15th Floor) facing the park....huge apt and so lovely. in the spring and summer, while having dinner- you could hear who was up at bat- at Ebbets field... anyway, as the only kid-- I would do investigating- and would go to the "Tower Apt" which was above the penthouse that the pres. of Pfizer owned ( visited him too!)john McKean. I would ring Ms. Tilyou's doorbell an she had me in often for an impromptu tea. Her name was MARIE*** Tilyou. Never married , elderly and she had flaming red hair- rather startling....Another bit of info: My father was James B. Donovan, a prominent lawyer who accomplished so very much-- TOM HANKS portrayed him in the recent Steven Spielberg movie "Bridge of Spies", a true story that happened while we lived at 35 PPW! remember it well...
Well, here is some info as well:
I was the only child living at 35 Prospect Park West (I moved in this wonderful building in 1957)
we had a 2 story apartment ( 14th & 15th Floor) facing the park....huge apt and so lovely. in the spring and summer, while having dinner- you could hear who was up at bat- at Ebbets field... anyway, as the only kid-- I would do investigating- and would go to the "Tower Apt" which was above the penthouse that the pres. of Pfizer owned ( visited him too!)john McKean. I would ring Ms. Tilyou's doorbell an she had me in often for an impromptu tea. Her name was MARIE*** Tilyou. Never married , elderly and she had flaming red hair- rather startling....Another bit of info: My father was James B. Donovan, a prominent lawyer who accomplished so very much-- TOM HANKS portrayed him in the recent Steven Spielberg movie "Bridge of Spies", a true story that happened while we lived at 35 PPW! remember it well...
Dear "I lived in Marie Tilyou's bldg,"
I live in that building now and edit the building newsletter. I'd love to speak with you about your memories from back then and what you recall of your father's work. You can reach me at g.otis35@gmail.com.
Hope to hear from you!
Greg
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