Dunbar Apartments: Difference between revisions

	Dunbar Apartments
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	New York City Landmark
	courtyard (2014)
Location	W. 149th and 150th St; btwn Frederick Douglass & AC Powell Jr. Blvds.; Manhattan, New York City
Coordinates	40°49′30″N 73°56′18″W / 40.82500°N 73.93833°W
Area	4.2 acres (1.7 ha)
Built	1926–28
Architect	Andrew J. Thomas
Website	https://dunbarapts.com/
NRHP reference No.	79001601
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	March 29, 1979
Designated NYCL	July 14, 1970

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The Dunbar Apartments, also known as the Paul Laurence Dunbar Garden Apartments or Dunbar Garden Apartments, is a complex of buildings located on West 149th and West 150th Streets between Frederick Douglass Boulevard/Macombs Place and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. They were built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. from 1926 to 1928 to provide housing for African Americans, and was the first large cooperative aimed at that demographic.^[2] The buildings were designed by architect Andrew J. Thomas and were named in honor of the noted African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.

The complex consists of six separate buildings with a total of 511 apartments (as constructed) and occupies an entire city block. The buildings center around an interior garden courtyard, with each building U-shaped so that every apartment receives easy air flow and direct sunlight at some point during the day. The Dunbar is considered the "first large garden-complex in Manhattan."^[3]

The complex was designated a New York City Landmark in 1970,^[2] and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

History and description

The Dunbar Apartments were constructed as an experiment in housing reform, to alleviate the housing shortage in Harlem and to provide housing for African Americans. Rather than being set up as rental apartments, the complex was a housing cooperative. Tenants were required to pay a down payment of $50 per room, and then $14.50 per room per month, much of which went towards a mortgage on the space. In 22 years, if payments were all made on time, the tenant would own the apartment. The project was both the first large cooperative aimed at African Americans, and also New York City's first large garden apartment complex.^[3]

The original tenants were primarily middle class, and inexpensive childcare was provided on-site to support working mothers. However, the building opened in 1928, and the Great Depression began just a year later. The management of the complex was forced to loosen a number of cooperative rules in order to allow people to, for example, take in lodgers. Even so, too many tenants failed to make their payments and the buildings defaulted on their mortgage to Rockefeller. He foreclosed in 1936, and a year later the buildings were converted to rental units.

In June 2013, the Dunbar Apartments were sold to the Brooklyn-based developer E&M Associates. Plans were set in motion to upgrade the facilities and establish the Dunbar as one of the premier upscale complexes in Upper Manhattan. These plans include renovating the vacant apartments, updating and refurbishing the interior courtyard and garden, and the addition of a variety of amenities including a fitness center, playground, additional security and a doorman. The contract was acquired by Samuel Berry and Andrew Melohn of Douglas Elliman working in conjunction with Fredrik Eklund.^[4]

Notable residents

Noted personalities to live in the Dunbar Apartments include leaders of the Civil Rights Movement such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Paul Robeson, Noah D. Thompson, and A. Philip Randolph, author William Melvin Kelley, entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, poet Countee Cullen, and the explorer Matthew Henson.^[2]^[5]

References

Notes

^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; Dolkart, Andrew S.; Postal, Matthew A. (2009). Postal, Matthew A. (ed.). Guide to New York City Landmarks (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-470-28963-1.
^ ^a ^b New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. "Dunbar Apartments Designation Report" (July 14, 1970)
^ Kaplan, Hayley (October 25, 2013). "Iconic 536-unit Dunbar Manor gets facelift, new listings". therealdeal.com. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
^ White, Norval; Willensky, Elliot; Leadon, Fran (2010). AIA Guide to New York City (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 546. ISBN 978-0-19538-386-7.

Bibliography

Tritter, Thorin. "The Growth and Decline of Harlem's Housing" in Afro-Americans in New York Life and History (January 31, 1998)

External links

A. Philip Randolph (1889–1979), labor leader, civil rights leader National Park Service – Historic places of the civil rights movement
Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. NY-5697, "Dunbar Apartments, 246 West 150th Street, New York, New York County, NY", 3 photos, 1 photo caption page
HABS No. NY-5697-A, "Dunbar Apartments, Matthew Henson Apartment", 7 photos, 4 data pages, 1 photo caption page

[nris-1] "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.

[nycland-2] New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; Dolkart, Andrew S.; Postal, Matthew A. (2009). Postal, Matthew A. (ed.). Guide to New York City Landmarks (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-470-28963-1.

[desrep-3] New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. "Dunbar Apartments Designation Report" (July 14, 1970)

[4] Kaplan, Hayley (October 25, 2013). "Iconic 536-unit Dunbar Manor gets facelift, new listings". therealdeal.com. Retrieved 10 January 2014.

[aia5-5] White, Norval; Willensky, Elliot; Leadon, Fran (2010). AIA Guide to New York City (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 546. ISBN 978-0-19538-386-7.

[2]

[1]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox NRHP | name =Dunbar Apartments
+{{Infobox NRHP
+| name                    = Dunbar Apartments
-| nrhp_type =
+| nrhp_type               =
-| image = Dunbar Apartments view inside courtyard.jpg
+| image                   = 2014 Dunbar Apartments interior courtyard looking west.jpg
+| image_size              = 337px
-| caption = Dunbar Apartments - view inside courtyard
-| location= W. 149th and 150th St<br>btwn [[Frederick Douglass Boulevard|Frederick Douglass]] & [[Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard|AC Powell Jr.]] Blvds.<br>[[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
+| caption                 = courtyard (2014)
+| location                = W. 149th and 150th St<br>btwn [[Frederick Douglass Boulevard|Frederick Douglass]] & [[Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard|AC Powell Jr.]] Blvds.<br>[[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
+| area                    = {{convert|4.2|acre|ha}}
-| area =
-| coordinates = {{coord|40|49|30|N|73|56|18|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=title}}
+| coordinates             = {{coord|40|49|30|N|73|56|18|W|display=inline,title}}
-| built = 1926-28<ref name=nycland />
+| built                   = 1926–28<ref name=nycland />
-| architect = [[Andrew J. Thomas]]
+| architect               = [[Andrew J. Thomas]]
-| architecture =
+| architecture            =
-| added = March 29, 1979
+| added                   = March 29, 1979
+| refnum                  = 79001601 <ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
-| governing_body = private
+| designated_other2_name  = New York City Landmark
-| refnum = 79001601 <ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
+| designated_other2_date  = July 14, 1970
-| designated_other2_name = NYC Landmark
+| designated_other2_abbr  = NYCL
-| designated_other2_date = July 14, 1970
+| designated_other2_link  = New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
-| designated_other2_abbr = NYCL
-| designated_other2_link = New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
 | designated_other2_color = #FFE978
+| website                 = https://dunbarapts.com/
 }}
-The '''Dunbar Apartments''' is a complex of buildings located on [[149th Street (Manhattan)|West 149th]] and [[150th Street (Manhattan)|West 150th]] Streets between [[Frederick Douglass Boulevard|Frederick Douglass Boulevard]]/Macombs Place and [[Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard]] in the [[Harlem]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]. They were built by [[John D. Rockefeller, Jr.]] from 1926 to 1928 to provide housing for [[African Americans]], the first project of its kind.<ref name=nycland /> The buildings were designed by architect [[Andrew J. Thomas]], who was noted for his designs in [[Jackson Heights, Queens|Jackson Heights]] in [[Queens, New York City|Queens]], and were named in honor of the noted African American poet [[Paul Laurence Dunbar]]. The complex consists of six independent buildings with 511 [[apartment]]s (as constructed) that occupy an entire city block.
+The '''Dunbar Apartments''', also known as the '''Paul Laurence Dunbar Garden Apartments''' or '''Dunbar Garden Apartments''', is a complex of buildings located on [[149th Street (Manhattan)|West 149th]] and [[150th Street (Manhattan)|West 150th]] Streets between [[Frederick Douglass Boulevard]]/Macombs Place and [[Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard]] in the [[Harlem]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]. They were built by [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.]] from 1926 to 1928 to provide housing for [[African Americans]], and was the first large cooperative aimed at that demographic.<ref name=nycland /> The buildings were designed by architect [[Andrew J. Thomas]] and were named in honor of the noted African American poet [[Paul Laurence Dunbar]].
-The complex's buildings center around an interior garden [[courtyard]], with each building "U"-shaped so that every apartment receives easy air flow and direct sunlight at some point during the day.  The Dunbar is considered the "first large [[Garden city movement|garden-complex]] in Manhattan."
+The complex consists of six separate buildings with a total of 511 [[apartment]]s (as constructed) and occupies an entire city block. The buildings center around an interior garden [[courtyard]], with each building U-shaped so that every apartment receives easy air flow and direct sunlight at some point during the day.  The Dunbar is considered the "first large [[Garden city movement|garden-complex]] in Manhattan."<ref name=desrep />
-The complex was designated a [[New York City Landmark]] in 1970,<ref name=nycland>{{cite nycland}}, p.204</ref> and was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1979.
+The complex was designated a [[New York City Landmark]] in 1970,<ref name=nycland>{{cite nycland|page=204}}</ref> and was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1979.
 ==History and description==
-[[Image:WTM wikiWhat 009.jpg|thumb|left|Some of the greenery between the buildings.]]
+[[File:2014 Dunbar Apartments entranceway from courtyard.jpg|thumb|left|300px|An entranceway seen from the courtyard]]
-The Dunbar Apartments were constructed as an experiment in housing [[Reform movement|reform]], and according to the [[New York City Landmarks Commission]], was "the first large cooperative built for "Peoples of African Descent."  Rather than being set up as rental apartments, the complex was a [[housing cooperative]]. Tenants were required to pay a down payment of $50 per room, and then $14.50 per room per month, much of which went towards a [[mortgage loan|mortgage]] on the space. In 22 years, if payments were all made on time, the tenant would own the apartment.
+The Dunbar Apartments were constructed as an experiment in housing [[Reform movement|reform]], to alleviate the housing shortage in Harlem and to provide housing for African Americans.  Rather than being set up as rental apartments, the complex was a [[housing cooperative]]. Tenants were required to pay a down payment of $50 per room, and then $14.50 per room per month, much of which went towards a [[mortgage loan|mortgage]] on the space. In 22 years, if payments were all made on time, the tenant would own the apartment.  The project was both the first large cooperative aimed at African Americans, and also New York City's first large [[garden apartment]] complex.<ref name=desrep>[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]. [http://www.neighborhoodpreservationcenter.org/db/bb_files/DUNBAR-APTS.pdf "Dunbar Apartments Designation Report"] (July 14, 1970)</ref>
-The original tenants were by and large middle class, and inexpensive [[childcare]] was provided on-site to support working mothers. However, the building opened in 1928, and the [[Great Depression]] hit only one year later. The management of the complex was forced to loosen a number of cooperative rules in order to allow people to, for example, take in [[lodger]]s. Even so, too many tenants failed to make their payments and the buildings defaulted on their mortgage to Rockefeller. He [[Foreclosure|foreclosed]] in 1936, and a year later the buildings were converted to rental units.
+The original tenants were primarily middle class, and inexpensive [[childcare]] was provided on-site to support working mothers. However, the building opened in 1928, and the [[Great Depression]] began just a year later. The management of the complex was forced to loosen a number of cooperative rules in order to allow people to, for example, take in [[lodging|lodgers]]. Even so, too many tenants failed to make their payments and the buildings defaulted on their mortgage to Rockefeller.  He [[Foreclosure|foreclosed]] in 1936, and a year later the buildings were converted to rental units.
-In June 2013, the Dunbar Apartments were sold to the [[Brooklyn]]-based developer E&M Associates.  Plans were set in motion to upgrade the facilities and establish the Dunbar as one of the premier upscale complexes in Upper Manhattan.  These plans include renovating the vacant apartments, updating and refurbishing the interior courtyard and garden, and the addition of a variety of amenities including a fitness center, playground, additional security and a doorman.  The contract was acquired by Samuel Berry and Andrew Melohn of [[Douglas Elliman]] working in conjunction with [[Fredrik Eklund]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Hayley|title=Iconic 536-unit Dunbar Manor gets facelift, new listings|url=http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/10/25/iconic-536-unit-dunbar-manor-gets-facelift-new-listings/|publisher=therealdeal.com|accessdate=10 January 2014}}</ref>
+In June 2013, the Dunbar Apartments were sold to the [[Brooklyn]]-based developer E&M Associates.  Plans were set in motion to upgrade the facilities and establish the Dunbar as one of the premier upscale complexes in Upper Manhattan.  These plans include renovating the vacant apartments, updating and refurbishing the interior courtyard and garden, and the addition of a variety of amenities including a fitness center, playground, additional security and a doorman.  The contract was acquired by Samuel Berry and Andrew Melohn of [[Douglas Elliman]] working in conjunction with [[Fredrik Eklund]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Hayley|date=October 25, 2013|title=Iconic 536-unit Dunbar Manor gets facelift, new listings|url=http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/10/25/iconic-536-unit-dunbar-manor-gets-facelift-new-listings/|publisher=therealdeal.com|access-date=10 January 2014}}</ref>
+[[File:2014 Dunbar Apartments entranceway from street crest.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A crest over an entranceway on [[Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard]]]]
 ==Notable residents==
-Noted personalities to live in the Dunbar include leaders of the Civil Rights movement such as [[W. E. B. Du Bois]], [[Paul Robeson]], and [[Asa Philip Randolph]], entertainer [[Bill "Bojangles" Robinson]] and the explorer [[Matthew Henson]].<ref name=mycland />
+Noted personalities to live in the Dunbar Apartments include leaders of the [[Civil Rights Movement]] such as [[W. E. B. Du Bois]], [[Paul Robeson]], [[Noah D. Thompson]], and [[A. Philip Randolph]], author [[William Melvin Kelley]], entertainer [[Bill "Bojangles" Robinson]], poet [[Countee Cullen]], and the explorer [[Matthew Henson]].<ref name=nycland /><ref name=aia5>{{cite aia5|page=546}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 49: / Line 53: @@
 ==External links==
-*{{Commonscat|Dunbar Apartments}}
+{{Commons category|Dunbar Apartments}}
-*[http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/ny2.htm A. Philip Randolph (1889-1979), labor leader, civil rights leader] National Park Service - Historic places of the civil rights movement
+*[http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/ny2.htm A. Philip Randolph (1889–1979), labor leader, civil rights leader] National Park Service – Historic places of the civil rights movement
 *{{HABS |survey=NY-5697 |id=ny1797 |title=Dunbar Apartments, 246 West 150th Street, New York, New York County, NY |photos=3 |cap=1}}
 *{{HABS |survey=NY-5697-A |id=ny0384 |title=Dunbar Apartments, Matthew Henson Apartment |photos=7 |data=4 |cap=1 |link=no}}
@@ Line 56: / Line 60: @@
 <!--spacing-->
+{{Harlem}}
 {{New York City Historic Sites|state=collapsed}}
 {{National Register of Historic Places in New York}}
-[[Category:Harlem]]
+[[Category:Buildings and structures in Harlem]]
 [[Category:Residential buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan]]
-[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in New York]]
+[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in New York (state)]]
 [[Category:Residential buildings completed in 1926]]
 [[Category:Condominiums and housing cooperatives in Manhattan]]
-[[Category:Former cooperatives]]
+[[Category:Former cooperatives of the United States]]
 [[Category:Apartment buildings in New York City]]
+[[Category:New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan]]

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