The Clarendon,
137 Riverside Drive

Overview of The Clarendon at 137 Riverside Drive

The Clarendon, located at 137 Riverside Drive on the southeast corner of West 86th Street, is a distinguished twelve-story cooperative built in 1906. Designed by Charles E. Birge for Ranald Macdonald, the building features a four-story limestone base, red-brick façade, and an ornate bronze and glass marquee that frames the entrance. Architectural details include elegant moldings, high ceilings, and large windows that offer views of the Hudson River and Riverside Park.

Converted to a cooperative in 1985, The Clarendon provides residents with amenities including a full-time doorman, resident manager, fitness center, bicycle room, private storage, and laundry facilities.

A notable chapter in The Clarendon’s history involves its association with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Initially leasing the top three floors upon moving in around 1907, Hearst later expanded his residence to encompass the building's top five floors. His renovation efforts included a vast, two-story living room, a skylit gallery, and elaborately themed rooms such as the Tapestry Gallery, Gothic Room, and Julius Caesar Room. Despite his expansions, financial challenges led to the building’s foreclosure in 1938. It was subsequently reconfigured into 61 smaller apartments, reflecting a more conventional residential layout.

The building’s design shares similarities with the neighboring property at 130 Riverside Drive but is distinguished by its prominent mansard roof and decorative banding. The area offers residents the serenity of Riverside Park, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, with its tree-lined pathways and Hudson River views. The Upper West Side’s historic brownstones, pre-war apartments, and cultural landmarks provide a sense of continuity with the past, while nearby institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center reflect the area’s cultural richness.

Throughout its history, The Clarendon has housed several notable residents. Beyond Hearst, Frank Shattuck, the head of the Schraftt's restaurant chain, called the building home. Additionally, The Clarendon was the site of a 1927 dinner dance hosted by Hearst in honor of aviator Ruth Elder, attended by prominent figures including Mayor Jimmy Walker and Lady Elsie de Wolfe Mendel.