Monday, July 25, 2011

'Oak Knoll'

'Oak Knoll', the Bertram G. Work estate designed by Delano & Aldrich c. 1916 in Mill Neck. Click HERE to see 'Oak Knoll' on google earth and HERE on bing. Click HERE for more on 'Oak Knoll'.

Images from Country Life, 1919.

24 comments:

The Down East Dilettante said...

Sheer perfection

magnus said...

DED: Ditto. This is my all time favorite.

Anonymous said...

All the more that it's completely intact.

The Devoted Classicist said...

Really fabulous. Is the similar-but-smaller Studio of Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney, also by Delano & Aldrich, extant?

Doug Floor Plan said...

I think Zach deliberately makes me go find those floor plans so I can zoom in to read them -- that's right, this is all about me (joke).

I provided Zach with a copy of what I made ... for him to do with what he will.

The house -- yes, beautiful, inspiring ... I wonder if that's what has saved it all these years?

The Down East Dilettante said...

It really is astounding to find one that hasn't been gutten and improved and cheap courtyard fountain'd, isn't it?

Gary Lawrance said...

Yes, It has always been one of my favorites also. Delano & Aldrich at their best doing jewel like houses.

Anonymous said...

House was used to film horror flick the Sentinal.

Cedar Swamp-Thing said...

@Devoted classicist

Yes, the GVW studio is still extant and was fully restored a number of years ago by her granddaughter as a residence

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure Knole, the Martin estate in Old Westbury, was all original...that is, at least as of a year ago or so. I'm sure there are a scant few left out there that have been fortunate enough to survive that fate that many have suffered. Oak Knoll surely stands out....a beautiful, beautiful structure. Every once and awhile I'll take a drive just to view that amazing entrance court....outstanding!!!

The Down East Dilettante said...

I've been pondering the question of Oak Knoll. Very few houses of its era have been preserved in public ownership. This one is one of the very best of its time, and so deserves public ownership. I suppose that Mill Neck is one of those places that would rather have it subdivided than preserved for the public, though. It's a conundrum.

Palm Beach wouldn't allow the Post Foundation to open Mar a Lago because they didn't want the traffic----and look what's happened now. Sad, very sad.

HalfPuddingHalfSauce said...

Capital P for Perfection!

Book to look for -

http://books.google.com/books?id=PfsvwzwaQqUC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Only one preview page #128. Book itself has interior shots.

http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/anthony-rivaras-house-b-f-goodrich-familys-oak-knoll/

Check the "More Info:" link!

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=40.801953&lon=-73.6057162&z=17&l=0&m=b&show=/1891935/Gertrude-Vanderbilt-Whitney-Art-Studio

Links to some of the murals that have been dispersed added to tag.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/realestate/10lizo.html

HalfPuddingHalfSauce said...

Paraphrasing property card for Oak Knoll - the very best kind of hardware, heavy oak doors, marble and oak throughout, hand painted walls in breakfast room, steel framed-fire proof construction.

Greenhouse and Supers Cottage -

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=40.8813858&lon=-73.5482472&z=19&l=0&m=b&show=/20791764/Oak-Knoll-s-Greenhouse-and-Service-Buildings

The Ancient said...

I'm just happy to see that "The Oak Tree" is still alive and well. (If you're not paying attention, check the plat. It's behind the house to the left.)

Dilettante --

You're complaining that Palm Beach -- of all places -- has elected to become more like itself?

Doug Floor Plan said...

Sorry to detract from the subject at hand but here’s a 19th century waterfront property for sale in Cutchogue, Suffolk County that is featured on the ‘Wall Street Journal’ real estate web-site today: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303795304576456363597955374--LESS.html#%2F1 I don’t recognize the family name from any other of Zach’s postings & the architect isn’t identified. Very nice house … in a much different way than ‘Oak Knoll.’

Anonymous said...

DFP.....beautiful house.


Is the greenhouse and services buildings still part of Oak Knoll? I notice when I pass there is a seperate driveway...but that always could have been....

Anonymous said...

Sorry...I meant ARE the greenhouse and services buildings still part of Oak Knoll?

HalfPuddingHalfSauce said...

Nassau County has Super's Cottage/greenhouse/garage plotted as a separate pierce of property.

Anonymous said...

Awww....too bad...they're lovely stuctures on their own.

Charles said...

After viewing the older Oak knoll posting, I became intrigued by the comments. I'm sure readers of this blog would love to hear about the gold coast parties, about the families who lived here, and more more more about the house itself. Please "Annonymous" tell us more!

The Ancient said...

I'm sure readers of this blog would love to hear about the gold coast parties, about the families who lived here, and more more more about the house itself.

Read Zach's archives. It's all there.

Anonymous said...

The current owners of "Oak Knoll" are a couple from Italy. They have been there more than 20 years. They have an adult child away from home. They own all the outbuildings and 2 homes next door. One is occupied by the woman's mother and the other is on the market. The others are rented out. They are quite private people. He is in construction in NYC.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to see that they seem to have respect for this great piece of history and art. Wish I had the cash to rent out that greenhouse and caretaker cottage.

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