 The
Durrand Estate
Located on one of the largest residential lots within the city
limits, 51 Barrington Street is the epitome of elegance established in
the early 20th century. Built in 1905, this beautiful home was transformed to the
grand dame of Rochester architecture in 1927 by architect J. Foster
Warner. Mr. Warner designed
such impressive structures as the George Eastman House, Sibley Tower
Building and Granite Building. It
is often said that the initial view of the living room will take one’s
breath away. The elegantly furnished room contains two wing-backed
chairs from the New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel lobby,
reflecting the house’s 1920’s style. In
the dining room you will find wood carved American eagles aptly placed
over the doorways in the Federal style room. The large leaded glass
windows enhance the warm fireplace and herringbone oak floor.
The
library features a map over the stately fireplace from a time past.
Painted in the twenties, you will find not only majestic sailing
ships traveling uncharted waters but also the airplane of the adventurer
of the time, Charles Lindbergh. Once
reaching the second floor, the first room to the right is fondly known
as the “Churchill” room. It has been rumored that while Winston Churchill was visiting
the University of Rochester he spent the night in this room before
continuing on with his travels. Prior
to entering the master suite there is a doorway to the left and a
doorway to the right that must be investigated.
The doors are entryways to two separate bathrooms.
The one on the left is for the man.
The one the right is for the woman.
There are also separate rooms that serve as walk-in closets,
complete with built-in wardrobes, large enough to maintain clothes for
all seasons. Both bathrooms
maintain vintage fixtures.
At the rear of this
stately home is the garden room, which is neatly attached to the
carriage house. At the top of the vaulted ceiling hangs a
chandelier, which was originally in the entryway to the old Rochester
Seneca Hotel.
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 The Douglas House
Located in the East Avenue
preservation district, this picturesque English Tudor was built in 1930.
Originally this house was part of the Whalen’s subdivision. For
the past seven months, the homeowners have been proud to call this house
home. This house is separated from
the traditional Tudor by the architectural illusion of living in a
castle. Outside battlements and masonry a wall surround the
gatehouse-like entrance. Inside the foyer, architectural features
include a circular staircase, natural wood paneling and arched wooden
moldings. The staircase wall was designed to look like a stone
block wall, adding to the castle like atmosphere. The ornate foyer is decorated
with high, medallion ceilings. The living room boasts an expansive
ornamental plaster ceiling, a large bay window and two sets of glass
French doors leading to the home’s original stone and cement
balustrade patio which overlooks the rear gardens. The dining room
has two built in china cabinets, a distinctive ceiling, crafted plaster
moldings, and natural wood paneling. In addition to the castle décor,
all of the home’s hardwood floors are either pegged or parquet.
On the second floor, glass
French doors open to a library that provides a quiet, serene reading
area. The large master suite is equipped with both a private bath
and walk-in closet. There are two guest bedrooms with a bathroom
between the two rooms. A small office leads to the “servant
quarters”, consisting of two bedrooms connected by one bathroom and a
back stairway leading to the kitchen.
From the foyer area a circular
stairway leads to the lower level media room, featuring the family’s
football memorabilia and game room. The resident’s grandfather
was the owner of the Russer’s semi-pro football team in Rochester
during the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s.
Outside, the garage doors have
been restored to their original condition. The classic
architectural detail gives the west side of the house an individual
appeal. The meticulous renovations,
architectural design, and location near city restaurants, theatres and
shopping are all reasons why this home was a desirable purchase for the
homeowners.
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The Eisenhart
House
This
English Tudor Revival house was built in 1912 by K.M. Weil. The
architect was Leon Stern. The home was owned by Martin Herbert
Eisenhart, Trustee of the University of Rochester from 1923-1975.
He married Elsa Bausch, daughter of Mr. Bausch from Bausch and Lomb.
The Eisenharts raised their three children in the home until the death
of Mrs. Eisenhart in 1971. In 1975 the home was given to the
University of Rochester by the Eisenhart children. The house was
then used as the residence for the Eastman School of Music’s
presidents until 1998 when it was purchased by the current owners.
This
home features a pipe organ, installed by the Eisenhart family in the
1920’s. Having an organ in the home was a sign of wealth and
prestige during that time. Throughout the home you will find
speakers which allow the music to fill the home. The organ needed
substantial work to restore it to proper working condition, so the
family, along with the Eastman School had the console removed and
preserved for future use. A large screen TV was placed where the
console was removed. The stain glass window on the
landing of the staircase was designed by the present owner to represent
their family. The center window symbolizes birth stones of the married
couple, the side window has a torch with a double flame representing
the birth of their twins and the other window has a single torch
signifying the birth of their youngest child. The master bedroom was the
largest renovation project undertaken by the owners. Note the
elaborate master bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub in the middle of the room.
The kitchen was completely
renovated in 2001. Maintaining the details of the original kitchen
created a room with an old world feel. In the yard near the swing set
is Rochester’s only redwood tree. It was given to the Eisenharts
by the Boston Arboretum to see if redwood trees would grow in this part
of the country. It was just 3 feet tall when originally planted
over 40 years ago.
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 The
General Edward Curtis House
This Bryant Fleming
masterpiece was built in 1937 for United States Air Force General and
World War I Flying Ace Edward P. Curtis. President Dwight Eisenhower, a
friend of the General, stayed in the house when he visited the Rochester
area. The bedroom on the uppermost level of the home is named the
“Eisenhower Room.” The grand styling of the house
is evident as you approach from the drive, with its peaked slate roofs,
poured concrete designs, leaded-glass windows and cobblestone circular
driveway. There are three slate patios and eleven doors to the outside.
The back yard offers a sweeping vista that ends at the Country Club of
Rochester’s golf course.
Upon entering the home, you
will notice the wall of arched windows in the grand foyer and the
beautiful architectural woodwork, is believed to be salvaged from an old
church in Germany. The distinctive wall panels and built-in
bookshelves line the hall, the nook and the library, where there is an
intricate carving of an American eagle. At the end of the hall is
the living/family room highlighted by a huge fireplace and ceiling
beams. The sunny morning room is decorated in a garden theme, and the
large formal dining room is accented with deep red colors, dentil crown
molding and four sets of double doors. The china and furniture in
the dining room and most other rooms in the house have been in the
owner’s Philadelphia family since the late 1800s.
The kitchen was remodeled from
three small rooms into one grand kitchen with a center island and
built-in bench seat with cabinets to make it a comfortable family living
area. Upstairs you will find eight bedrooms, all updated and personally
decorated for each family member or guest who uses the room most.
The homeowners bought the
house in 1999 and have spent the last three years on extensive
redecorating, remodeling and landscaping projects. They have combined
family heirlooms and traditional style with modern touches to make a
home that is elegant, yet warm and comfortable for their family, friends
and young children to relax, play and explore!
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The Katz House
In the year 1900 Abram and
Theresa Katz, a well-bred, upper class couple, moved into their
newly constructed home at 875 East Avenue. Patrons of the arts, it is
documented that Mrs. Katz was responsible for providing funds to the
struggling Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra on many occasions. Mrs. Katz
was also instrumental in establishing and maintaining the Hillside
Children’s Center.
The
Katz home was designed by Leon Stern, a much sought after architect who
built several homes on East Avenue. The home was small by East Avenue
standards but extremely well built, with superior materials and
craftsmanship. The front entrance boldly invites the guest to imagine
what might lie beyond the massive mahogany door.
The
reception room walls and ceiling are paneled with fumed oak. The broad
stairway with fine detailing and curved leaded window on the landing
contribute to the Victorian splendor of the design. The fireplace is
made of yellow African marble and the mantle is finely carved and
includes the crest of the Katz family. Exquisitely
appointed, the formal dining room is the jewel of the home. The eye is
drawn immediately to the recessed bay with three curved windows and
seats running the length of the room. The oak flooring is also bordered
with mahogany inlay in the Greek Key pattern. The
library now houses the finer musical instruments of Bernunzio Vintage.
Built in the Arts and Crafts style, this room embodies many elements of
that artistic and philosophical movement. The style is simple with oak
paneling and flooring. Some alterations were made to the room in the
1930’s but its essence remains unchanged. Inscribed in the oak
fireplace mantle are these words: “THE ORNAMENT OF A HOUSE IS THE
FRIENDS WHO FREQUENT IT”. We would like to echo that sentiment and
thank you for letting us share this special treasure with you.
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The Lindsay House (Hospitality House)
Lindsay House dates back to
1878 when Alexander Millar Lindsay, of Sibley, Lindsay and Curr, built
the house for his wife, four daughters and three sons. Originally,
Lindsay House was a two-story gothic mansion. The original homestead
extended from Barrington Street to Berkeley Street and from East Avenue
to Park Avenue. In 1900 the structure was
converted to a three-story Victorian style home, a rounded porch was
added and the gothic style turrets were removed. The boxwood garden was
originally designed by renowned landscape architect Allen DeForest, who
also designed the Eastman and Firestone gardens. The sun room (currently
the waiting room) was added and provided the setting for the
weddings of all the Lindsay daughters. Mr. Lindsay resided in the home
until his death in 1923. He was eulogized by George Eastman in a wake
conducted in the library (consultation room). The home remained in the
Lindsay family until the late 1940’s when it was donated to the
Rochester Health and Tuberculosis Association. It was later converted to
the Rochester Health Association, most recently under the direction of
Susan Costa. The Rochester Health Association provided much needed
community services, including Operation Friendship and MADD. Since
that time, Lindsay House has been a continuously operating health
facility, currently affiliated with the Division of Otolaryngology at
the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital Medical Center.
Lindsay House was established
for the practice of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to offer
state-of-the-art procedure rooms in comfortable, confidential yet
professional clinical surroundings. The Junior League of Rochester
wishes to thank the Lindsay House and Dr. Vito Quatela for its amazing
support of this year’s Autumn on the Avenue Home Tour, graciously
opening for our Tour gala and as the Hospitality House for this year’s
tour. We have enjoyed our partnership.
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