Evelyn Nesbitt Thaw Not Inspiration Behind NYC Evelyn Building

The Evelyn, an apartment building at the corner of Columbus and 78th in New York City was named for Evelyn Nesbit Thaw in 1885, the mistress of Stanford White the architect, but recent data has revealed that this was impossible because Evelyn Nesbit Thaw was only a baby when the building was constructed. 

The Evelyn building houses the famous P & G Cafe, and until recently had the Evelyn Lounge as well.

When construction of the building began, it was to have eight stories, and Emile Gruwe was the architect on the job. However, in 1882 construction stopped with the simple message of 'no money'.

In 1885, when the building was in foreclosure, it was bought by Phineas Smith and Edward Milliken and the building was completed to seven floors.

In November 1885, the name Evelyn was first used for the building, and rents were advertised for $80 to $150 a month. 

However, Evelyn Nesbit was not introduced to Standford White until 1901, when she was 16-years-old and was his mistress for a few years. She married Harry K. Thaw in 1905 and he was the one that killed Stanford White in a jealous rage in 1906.

Evelyn Nesbit, and her husband Harry Thaw never lived in the building and it couldn't have been named for her because she was just a baby when it was built. Her mother stated she was born in 1884.

Phineas Smith, who bought the building in 1885 had a wife, Ella, three sons, Clarence, Stewart and Phineas Jr. and a daughter born on April 15, 1884. Her name was Eveline.
Mystery solved?