New York City, New York story
A French Château in Manhattan
Tucked away on the Upper East Side is the James B. Duke House, a limestone mansion that feels like it was transported straight from France. Completed in 1912, it was designed by H…
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Tucked away on the Upper East Side is the James B. Duke House, a limestone mansion that feels like it was transported straight from France. Completed in 1912, it was designed by Horace Trumbauer as a wedding present for James Buchanan Duke's second wife.
The style is that of a French hôtel particulier, heavily inspired by the Château Labottière in Bordeaux. With its slate-and-copper roof and grand façade, it's one of the most important landmarks of Fifth Avenue's legendary Millionaire's Row. Since 1959, this private sanctuary has served a different purpose, housing NYU's Institute of Fine Arts.
Updated June 2026