Claremont Riding Academy

In 1892, when horses still provided the primary means of transportation – the first automobile appeared on Manhattan's streets six years later – developer Edward W. Bedell, architect Frank A. Rooke, and builder Richard Deeves created a four-story carriage stable with a full basement.

[1][5] At the same time, Rooke designed three two-story architecturally compatible private stables which were built on the neighboring lots – now 167, 169, and 171 West 89th Street – which Bedell then sold to local families.

Prevalent in the 1880s and found throughout the Upper West Side, the style was adapted for a number of different building types, both residential and commercial.

[5] In 1927 the Claremont Stables became a riding school, in part to encourage the employment of the bridle paths in nearby Central Park.

[10][11] The Central Park bridle paths, however, had been allowed to deteriorate, and were no longer restricted to equestrian use, which became practically impossible, resulting in a loss of business to the academy.

Set of 3 two-story buildings, looking mostly alike, each with a large door on the street level and a gable on the roofline, all faced in beige brick. They are adjacent to each other and to the buildings on either side. Camera is across the street from the adjacent building on the right, viewing the row in perspective.
Former private stables adjoining Claremont on its east
The Claremont Riding Academy logo, a black-and-white drawing showing the silhouette of a horse and rider, stylized bushes behind them, and a stylized city skyline behind the bushes. At bottom, square letters spell out Claremont Riding Academy.