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Clarence Fagan True started his own architectural practice in 1884. But it was not until 1890 that his career took off. Real estate developer Charles G. Judson's office was in the same building as True's, and that year he hired the fledgling architect. At the time the Upper West Side was emerging as Manhattan newest residential frontier as rows of eccentric townhouses sprouted on the streets and hefty mansions appeared on the avenues. Clarence True threw himself headlong into the frenzy and by the turn of the century would be among the most prolific of its architects; prompting some to deem him The Face of the Upper West Side.
By the mid-1890s True often worked as both architect and developer. Such was the case when he designed three upscale residences at No. 337 West 76th Street, and Nos. 40 and 41 Riverside Drive in 1896. Construction would take two years to complete; but well before then True sold No. 41 in the fall of 1897 to real estate operator Robert A. Cheesebrough. The Sun reported on September 9 that he had sold the five-story house for $60,000—about $1.75 million in 2016.
Clarence True was noted for his grab bag of historic architectural styles. No. 41 reflected his take on Elizabethan Revival. He carefully chose the placement of ornamentation—relieving the otherwise nearly Spartan limestone façade with bursts of decoration. An unusual and delightful deep porch protected the entrance and supported a balcony with lusciously-carved stone panels. A similar wall defined the balcony created by the three-story angled bay. The fourth floor was distinguished by carved pilasters between the openings; and a show-stopping stone dormer dominated the clay-tiled mansard. The servants’ entrance discreetly faced away from the main entrance.