From the Archives: Postcard Images of the Villa Richard

The Villa Richard was a nightclub and restaurant built atop the Palisades in the Coytesville section of Fort Lee in 1900 by a former chef at New York City's Delmonico's Restaurant, Jean Richard.

Richard operated the Villa Richard restaurant until 1931 when he leased it to nightclub owner Ben Marden. Marden turned the Villa Richard into the Riviera Nightclub and operated at this location until a Thanksgiving night fire in 1936 destroyed the building.

This was the location where in August of 1936 Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made an impromptu appearance on stage with Paul Whiteman's band and performed at the Riviera.  

Present day remains of the Villa Richard

Also pictured are the present day steps of the old Villa Richard/Riviera, which led to the Marine Terrace pictured here as well.

Ben Marden built the second Riviera about 1/4 mile south of this location, closer to the George Washington Bridge and it opened in May of 1937. The second Rivera was a success until the end of 1953 when it was condemned to make way for the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  

Atop the Fort Lee Palisades amidst the wild deer and coyote are ghostly reminders—such as stairs to nowhere—that hint of an elegant and swanky nightclub past that was Fort Lee.