Building: Atrium

Atrium located at 160 Bleecker Street NY, NY was designed by architect Earnest Flagg in the 1800’s as a men’s hotel. This is the only survivor of a group of three men’s hotels from the late 1800’s built by Mills in New York City. The hotel was built in accordance with the 1879 Tenement House Law known as the ‘Old Law.’ It offered clean, safe, lodging and it closed during the day to encourage men to find work. This block-wide building contained over 1,500 single rooms, today it has 189 luxury Co-op units.

The building has two signature identical massive 10 story interior air shafts that are covered with skylights. Hence the name, “The Atrium.” With two 60-square foot ventilation shafts penetrating a structure that occupies four city lots, this building exemplifies Flagg’s main proposals for changes in the zoning laws.

A major lobbyist for housing reform, Flagg might have been inspired by the layout of the Dakota ¹⁸⁸⁴, or by the apartment buildings he had seen in Paris during his studies abroad. The legendary Jazz Showcase named the Village Gate also was located in this building for over 30 years. Currently, it is a CVS with “The Village Theater” located below, Knickerbocker Village NY real estate and management firm is holding 5000 Sq feet of office space located at 189 Sullivan st entrance.

Description provided by Matat Khatamov