The house was completed in 1899. It was initially occupied by Starr, who married Alice Dunning in 1898. The surrounding neighborhood rapidly became a commercial zone after World War I, and many neighboring townhouses were converted to commercial use, but the Starr family retained the house. In 1918, Marc Eidlitz & Son was hired to make modifications to the house, although the alteration plans remained private. Among the events held at the house was a reception for debutantes in 1921, attended by the Starrs' own daughter Katherine, as well as a committee in charge of a performance of Parsifal in 1929. Moses Allen Starr died in Germany in 1932. Alice Starr continued to live in the house for a decade after her husband died. Alice remained in philanthropic activities: for example, she was involved with management of the West Side Day Nursery from 1902 until her death. Alice died in December 1942 at her country estate at Mount Kisco, New York.
