The Original Architect

When we bought the place, the previous owner gave us copies of the original plans for the building.  A quick internet search of the architect, John C. MacKenzie, Jr.,  revealed that he did some major buildings in the New York area.  Also, we found that the Columbia University Architecture Library archives some of his work.  

We contacted the library and found that the collection consists of photographs and drawings for only a few buildings, including the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, the Watson house in Biltmore Forest, NC, and the Greene House in Houston.   

We went to the Avery Drawings and Archives yesterday to view the collection.  

John C. MacKenzie, Jr. is most known for the Harlem YMCA building...

 ... and the Reader's Digest Building in Pleasantville, NY.

I was most impressed by his penciled drawings, which showed such beautiful craftsmanship.

We also found the AIA letter showing his induction as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

John C. MacKenzie, Jr. studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, which focused on classical styles.  In his later work, it appeared as if the world of architecture was changing in the 1940-1950's and that the classical styles he studies were being supplanted by the beginnings of the International style and other modern movements.  It seemed that his work during this period was an attempt to keep up with these changing patterns.  However, he didn't seem at home with the new style and the pieces he produced took on the stripped down character of the modernist movement but seemed to lack a true understanding of the new expressions of space and minimalism that were antithetical to the expressive and florid classical style that he was most comfortable with.

Existing Walls

I want to document the existing wall conditions before we renovate because they tell a story.

The front retail space walls, which were visible to the public, are generally pretty boring. 

In the upper floor work room, where the female staff spent most of their days sewing, there are vintage travel posters from all over the world.  One imagines that the previous owner, who told us that she hadn't taken a vacation in over 60 years, must have enjoyed these.

There are also ideas, doodles, and calculations written directly on the walls.  I guess if paper isn't handy...

On the way downstairs stenciled letters, partially covered, read "FED...ACH CO".  Could it be "FEDERAL MACH CO"?

A black arrow points downstairs to more wall surfaces.

Why 5/8ths?

While the women were upstairs sewing, the men were downstairs repairing the furniture.  Vintage pin-up images, like Norma Jean, Betty Page and others, cover the back corner walls here.

Closed on the Place Yesterday!

It's been a roller coaster of a ride arriving to this point, but we have the keys and can roll up our sleeves to start the real work.  The bones are solid brick; it's the infrastructure, skin, and grounds that need investment and care.

Our first priority is to fix up and rent out the retail and commercial spaces before we begin work on our new home.  The electrical system will be the first fix in the order of things.

Maybe by this time next year we'll be living in our new home?