Two years after Leech passed away in Paris, Douglass W. Mabee acquired Stoneleigh in 1898. The 50th Souvenir Edition of the Saratogian 1853 – 1903 noted several Saratoga Summer Cottages, including Stoneleigh. It described Mabee as a “Captain of Industry whose vast undertakings and colossal enterprises have revolutionized the world's business in our time. He has for many years been identified with one of the most extensive manufactories of Manila Paper and Paper Bags on either continent.” His “Wide experience and sound conservative judgment have made his services much sought after in banks and trust companies.”

On February 14, 1902, the Troy Times reported that Mabee acquired the Oakwood House property at the corner of Regent and White Streets and that in early May he will “begin a number of improvements to the property and he will also erect a large barn.” On May 1, 1902, Mabee posted an ad in The Saratogian seeking bids to remove two dwelling houses located at 122 Regent Street by May 31st. The Saratogian reported on May 22, 1902 that Mabee hired prominent local architect, R. Newton Brezee, to design a stable that was in-keeping with his residence. By that time, S. Gifford Slocum, who built Stoneleigh, was no longer practicing in Saratoga Springs.

The same article reported that the contractor was W.S. Robertson and it would cost $17,000, today $660,000, to build the “large and handsome stables.” It “will be of brick to the first full story, above which it will be worked out in stucco and shingles to agree with the Mabee mansion.”  The article goes into great detail -

The front portion is 47 by 42 to be given up to a carriage room, harness room, office, shower, bath, toilet, hot water heater, cleaning room, elevator, and coal bins.  This connects with the rear portion 65 by 35 through the center of which runs a cleaning corridor 13 feet wide.  There will be four box stalls 10 by 11, six single stalls 5 by 11, and two stalls in the rear 6 by 11.

On the second floor over the stall portion will be the hay and straw lofts and grain bins, latter of which will connect directly with the elevator and will accommodate two car loads. In the front part will be a store room and a five-room flat for the coachman. A third story over the front will be low ample room for storage purposes.

The 50th Souvenir Edition of the Saratogian also described Mabee’s new building - “Upon those ample grounds stands an extensive garage for although Mr. Mabee is a true friend and an ardent admirer of the noble horse, he is strictly up to date, in his pleasure riding as in everything else and the garage contains 3 automobiles of the latest and swiftest patterns one of them is an electric machine one of the very few driven by the kind of power that have been seen in Saratoga.” William H. Smith, who was listed as coachman and later chauffer in directories, and his wife Amelia lived in the apartment at 122 Regent Street from the time it was constructed until shortly after Mabee died in 1929.

Mabee left his entire estate to his wife. On July 1, 1930, The Saratogian announced that Skidmore College acquired the Mabee residence, the caretaker’s house, a large garage and a smaller garage, and that the main house was to be used as a dormitory for 30 students. The large garage, “an unusually well-built and commodious brick building, will probably be remodeled into a building for the department of secretarial science which is now housed in very cramped quarters.” In agreement with the expressed wish of Mr. Walter Mabee that some part of the present campus keep the family name of the old estate, it was proposed that the garage building be named “Mabee Hall” while the residence was named South Hall, which sadly burned in December 1937.

The August 8, 1930, Times Union reported that work was under way and that the contract calls for completion of work within 40 days. Secretary of Skidmore College, Kathryn Starbuck, wrote “remodeling garages has become a Skidmore habit, and we now have 5 good usable classroom buildings and studios.” Secretarial science was an important major at the time. A young woman in the program would graduate with very competitive skills. She would be able to type 50 words a minute, take shorthand at a rate of 125 words a minute, and possess basic knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting. The building would later house other departments. By 1970 it contained business and psychology classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices.

In October 1961 Skidmore Trustees voted to build a new campus on North Broadway. Verrazzano College purchased the Skidmore properties, including 122 Regent Street, in 1972. However, the college was short-lived. It opened in the fall of 1974 and declared bankruptcy in June the following year.

In 1975, a new church was established at 122 Regent Street, today the New Covenant Community Church in Greenwich. The building was used for services, bible school, and apartments. On July 14, 1994, Waldorf School acquired the property for $210,000 with 10 families guaranteeing the loan from the Adirondack Trust Company. It later became home to Waldorf High School.  In 2023, the Waldorf School announced it would graduate its last high school class.

In 2024, the property went on the market and within 24 hours, Sonny and Julie Bonacio were under contract. “We loved the amazing architecture, the story of the Mabee carriage house, and the location – close to downtown and the track,” said Sonny. “It was an opportunity to do a unique project with five low-maintenance private units with garages – allowing people to have a lock and leave lifestyle,” added Julie.

Tim Mabee, the great grandson of Douglass Mabee, caught wind of the project and called Sonny and offered to return the original weathervane that had been removed and placed in storage. “It was a nice ode to the history. Julie loves doing things like that, similar to when she found an original Grand Union Hotel Chandelier and installed it at the Park Place condo building lobby,” said Sonny. “The project was named ‘The Waldorf’ to honor that part of the building’s history,” added Julie. 

Monica and David Biggs of Troy, New York, purchased the condo unit with the garage that features the weathervane.  “We were blown away by Saratoga Springs – the older homes and vibrant downtown,” said Monica. “We were attracted to the building, the location in a residential neighborhood, and that it felt like a single-family residence without the maintenance” she added. They appreciated the masonry, the red tile roof, and the weathervane. It was a perfect fit for David, an engineer who has taught lectures on adaptive reuse of historic buildings for Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania preservation master’s programs. “I was able to practice what I preach,” laughed David.

Three condominiums are available for anyone who is interested in living in a piece of Saratoga Springs’ history.  Please contact Julie & Co. Realty for more information. 

On September 17, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will recognize 122 Regent Street with an Adaptive Reuse Award at its Annual Meeting and Preservation Recognition Awards.