Mysteries at the Monument Season 2 Episode 12 The House That Sugar Built

In Mysteries at the Monument season 2 episode 12, entitled "The House That Sugar Built," viewers are led on a journey to explore the fascinating history of the Bayard-Condict Building in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. The building is named after its architects, James E. Ware and Alfred M. Brooks, who designed the stunning structure in the late 19th century. At the time of its construction, the Bayard-Condict Building was considered a marvel of modern engineering and architecture, boasting a revolutionary design that was both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

However, as our narrator Don Wildman explains, the building's most intriguing feature is a hidden history that has been largely forgotten. The Bayard-Condict Building was commissioned by a sugar baron, William Bayard, who amassed a fortune by importing and refining sugar in the early 1800s. At the time, sugar was a luxury item that only the rich could afford, and Bayard quickly became one of the wealthiest men in New York City.

But with great wealth came great societal pressure, and Bayard felt compelled to use his riches to leave a lasting legacy. He enlisted the help of his son-in-law, James Boorman Johnston, who had recently returned from a trip to Paris, where he had been struck by the beauty of the city's Haussmannian architecture. Johnston convinced Bayard to invest in a high-rise building that would be both functional and visually stunning, and the Bayard-Condict Building was born.

As Don Wildman guides us through the building's halls and corridors, we learn how its revolutionary design set the standard for modern skyscrapers, and how its intricate details continue to captivate architects and visitors alike. But we also discover how the building's construction was riddled with controversy and tragedy, from the devastating collapse of the building's scaffolding to the mysterious deaths of several construction workers.

Through interviews with experts, historians, and architects, and stunning reenactments of key moments in the building's history, "The House That Sugar Built" sheds light on the intriguing story of the Bayard-Condict Building. From the way it was built to the way it has endured, this mysterious monument is a testament to the ingenuity and tenacity of those who built it, and a reminder of the enduring legacy of New York City's early industrialists.