D E Russell
IMG-5807-2R-1
In 1916, architect Harvey Wiley Corbett gave a much-needed facelift to an early 19th century building located at what is today 4-26 East 8th Street, at the corner of University Place. The facade appears to evoke memories of Corbett's childhood in San Francisco, California, containing elements of Mission architecture morphed into an eclectic blend of stylings that included these glazed decorative tiles on the facade of the building.
The buildings served as cooperative apartments; writer Max Eastman, who edited the socialist magazine The Masses was an early resident here (living in Number 12 in 1917), as well as E B White, author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little who lived at Number 16 from 1930-1936. Sculptor and medalist Victor David Brenner, whose most enduring legacy was the design of the Lincoln penny, had his studio at Number 20 and lived at Number 18. Accused communist spy Alger Hiss resided in Number 22 from 1940-1947. Today, the building houses faculty members of New York University.
Corbett garnered front-page headlines when he was arrested in 1910 as one of two primary participants in a scam to bilk investors out of money for a company called the Magnesia Asbestos Co. in New Jersey... whose factory existed only on paper. While in jail awaiting trial, Corbett turned states-evidence on his partner in crime, John A. Qualey, in order to save his own hide. (Qualey would be sentenced to 8 years in prison).
Since architects are innately moral relativists, the incident did little to harm Corbett's career.
Corbett went on to promote "futurism" in architecture, championing Art Deco skyscrapers that contained Neo-Gothic stylings. He undertook numerous projects in New York City, including the 1908 New York School of Applied Design for Women (Lexington Ave and 30th St); the 1916 Bush Tower at 130-132 West 42nd Street; the 1927 residential skyscraper at 1 Fifth Avenue (Helmle, Corbett & Harrison and Sugarman & Berger); the 1928 Metropolitan Life North Building at 11-25 Madison Avenue (originally planned at 100 stories by cut short by the Depression at 32); and the Master Apartments at 310 Riverside Drive.
IMG-5807-2R-1
In 1916, architect Harvey Wiley Corbett gave a much-needed facelift to an early 19th century building located at what is today 4-26 East 8th Street, at the corner of University Place. The facade appears to evoke memories of Corbett's childhood in San Francisco, California, containing elements of Mission architecture morphed into an eclectic blend of stylings that included these glazed decorative tiles on the facade of the building.
The buildings served as cooperative apartments; writer Max Eastman, who edited the socialist magazine The Masses was an early resident here (living in Number 12 in 1917), as well as E B White, author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little who lived at Number 16 from 1930-1936. Sculptor and medalist Victor David Brenner, whose most enduring legacy was the design of the Lincoln penny, had his studio at Number 20 and lived at Number 18. Accused communist spy Alger Hiss resided in Number 22 from 1940-1947. Today, the building houses faculty members of New York University.
Corbett garnered front-page headlines when he was arrested in 1910 as one of two primary participants in a scam to bilk investors out of money for a company called the Magnesia Asbestos Co. in New Jersey... whose factory existed only on paper. While in jail awaiting trial, Corbett turned states-evidence on his partner in crime, John A. Qualey, in order to save his own hide. (Qualey would be sentenced to 8 years in prison).
Since architects are innately moral relativists, the incident did little to harm Corbett's career.
Corbett went on to promote "futurism" in architecture, championing Art Deco skyscrapers that contained Neo-Gothic stylings. He undertook numerous projects in New York City, including the 1908 New York School of Applied Design for Women (Lexington Ave and 30th St); the 1916 Bush Tower at 130-132 West 42nd Street; the 1927 residential skyscraper at 1 Fifth Avenue (Helmle, Corbett & Harrison and Sugarman & Berger); the 1928 Metropolitan Life North Building at 11-25 Madison Avenue (originally planned at 100 stories by cut short by the Depression at 32); and the Master Apartments at 310 Riverside Drive.