Hampshire Rose

The building now known as New York City's Hampshire House was the brainchild of an Italian immigrant, Eugene E. Lignante, who came to America in 1891 on the SS Cheribon at the age of 11 with his parents. As a child, he was a talented violinist and working musician who is described in newspapers as having the ability to draw crowds. As an adult Eugene grew to manage and direct several orchestras, playing at events and upscale hotels. In 1913, prior to the United States entering WWI, he moved to Montreal, Canada to help open the Ritz Carlton Hotel. While in Canada, he secretly worked with Col. Wesley Allison and Benjamin Yoakum to quietly help supply and ship ammunitions for the UK. In May,…

The trustees hired Dorothy Draper, an interior designer, in order to make people want to live in a building which was at some point an empty shell on one of the most visible streets. According to The New York Times, the rooms featured "daring contrasts of black, white and turquoise, overscale plaster carving, mirrors and glass block and extraordinary door moldings of cast clear glass". Draper envisioned the building as a traditional London townhouse. She included a small lobby, and a garden with a fountain and pool to create the atmosphere of a Georgian townhouse in Britain. She also designed a restaurant within the building called “The Cottage,” which soon became one of New York's…

This room was a major venue for luxurious events like wedding receptions, dinners, luncheons and other celebrations. There were several famous celebrations including: Bee Gees performance in 1971, Eubie Blake’s 90th birthday party, Calvin Klein’s wedding,. The cottage completely closed in 1986.