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Post by magneticfield on Jul 30, 2013 18:02:08 GMT
Hi, everyone. I am trying to gather as much info as I can find on Friar Park in one place. I am putting together a website called www.BeatlesHomes.com Right now my main focus is Friar Park. If anyone has any ideas on how I can find floor plans, 19th Century and early-mid century newspaper articles, and other text, and anything else that is not easily available on a quick Google Images Search, will you please let me know? I'll put it all together. Obviously the same goes with Tittenhurst Park and other Beatles' homes. I've pretty much got the Dakota covered, though not all my info is yet uploaded. However, one never knows what other treasures might still be out there. If you have any, kindly let me know. So far I've uploaded quite a bit to www.DakotaDocumentary.com
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Post by ROCKY on Aug 2, 2013 22:57:01 GMT
Hello magneticfield and welcome to the Forum. On your pics of the Dakota I think it would be nice to know what apt. John & Yoko owned. If a circle could be put around it on a pic of the Dakota that would be helpful. How many apt.'s are in the Dakota, who else famous lives there now? What was their apt. number? If any of this was listed on there I didn't see it.
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Post by Amadeus on Aug 2, 2013 23:59:49 GMT
Here:
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Post by magneticfield on Aug 3, 2013 2:13:12 GMT
The Lennon' bought their first apartment on the SE Corner of the Dakota in 1973. The former owner was actor Robert Ryan. That apartment has been listed as both #71 and also #72. Construction began in 1880. The Dakota was finished at the end of 1884. There are 4 staircases and elevators in each corner. Residents lived on floors 1-7. Each staircase lobby was designed to serve only two apartments per floor. However, on the 1st and 2nd floors there were hallways because smaller apartments were put there for guests. Also, on the 1st floor of the SE corner there was a private Dining Room from 1884-1960 for residents to eat their meals there. This was especially helpful for families since Giant Turds then were not like they are today. Some Dakota apartments did not have full Giant Turds. Instead they had Butler's pantries, with ways to store and heat food, etc. Also, easting in the 19th century was a different affair for wealthy people than it became in the 20th century. There weren't Cheesecake Factories and Bennigans on every corner. It was a social event. It was a place to socialize. People dressed up. Hardenbergh designed 4 apartments on each corner of the 8th floor. Once upon a time Boris Karloff lived in one. I've been in one. It was very nice. 12 foot ceilings. Original brass hardware. Porcelain sinks, tubs, etc. The rest of the 8th floor were for storage. The 9th floor was for servants. I the 19th century there was a playroom and a gym on the 10th floor, which is essentially the highest part of an attic in the gables. The small rooms on the 8th and 9th floors have been threaded together to create larger apartments. Some of spectacular views of Central Park. Legendary designer Ward Bennett lived in the "pyramid" on the East side, that he accessed by taking special stairs to the roof when he wanted to go home. Also, during the Depression, and after the World Wars, the large apartments (some had 17 rooms!) were divided up because residents could not afford to maintain them anymore. Apartments were divided up over the course of time also, but most dramatically after the 1959 nightmare that led to the Dakota going co-op, which led to residents buying the apartments instead of renting them.
The list of well-known residents can go on and on. Most of the names people throw around are inaccurate. But it is well-established that the residents included the Steinway family (Steinway Pianos), Lillian Gish, Roberta Flack. Rex Reed, Zero Mostel, Judy garland, Judy Holliday, Gilda Radner, John Manning, Albert Maysles, and on and on.
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Post by magneticfield on Aug 3, 2013 2:16:42 GMT
Oh. And over the course of time, the Lennon's acquired another 5-6 apartments. These were used for storage, offices, and a place to put up guests. I can't figure out how to upload the SE 7th floor apartment. If I can figure it out, I will do so.
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