Montrose Morris

Montrose W. Morris (March 20, 1861 – April 14, 1916) was an American architect from Brooklyn best known for some of the first multi-unit apartment buildings in New York City. His most well-known buildings include the Alhambra Apartments, Imperial Apartments, and the Renaissance Apartments all in Brooklyn, New York.[1] Most of Morris’ work still stands adding greatly to the borough's architectural heritage. Morris worked in the prevalent architectural styles of the period, including Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival.[2][3]

Montrose Morris
Born(1861-03-20)20 March 1861
Long Island, New York
Died14 April 1916(1916-04-14) (aged 55)
Brooklyn, New York
OccupationArchitect

Life and education

Morris was born in Hempstead, Long Island on March 20, 1861. His family later moved to Brooklyn and he was educated at the Peekskill Academy. In 1876, he became an apprentice to Manhattan architect, Charles W. Clinton. Clinton, with his partner, Hamilton Russell, were responsible for some of New York's most iconic buildings, including the 7th Regiment Armory, Graham Court Apartments, and the Masonic Temple, now the New York City Center.[4] Morris was a veteran of Company H, 23rd Regiment, N.G., S.N.Y., a member of Grant Post and the Mistletoe Lodge No. 647, F.&A.M., of Lefferts Council, Royal Acanum, of the Union League Club and Montauck Club of Brooklyn, and the New England Society. He had two sons Raymond M. and LeRoy C. who worked in his architectural practice since 1911 and continued on in his name after his death.[5]

Career

Montrose Morris opened his architectural office in 1883 in his early 20s. His advertising technique was to design and build his own residence on Hancock Street between Marcy and Tompkins Avenues in Bedford Stuyvesant and open it to the public. One of the visitors was developer Louis F. Seitz who later commissioned three apartment buildings from Morris.[1]

Morris’ apartment buildings are among the earliest built in Brooklyn. During the 19th century, single-family row houses were the residential homes of choice for the middle class. Apartments or “flathouses” were considered inferior and there was a distinct prejudice against them. Only toward the end of the century did it become socially acceptable for the middle class to live in an apartment house. The high-quality of the design and richness of materials Morris used were intended to attract middle-class families.[2]

Between 1885 and 1905 were some of Morris’ best years. His most important works were in all the best neighborhoods: Brooklyn Heights, Fort Green, Clinton Hill, Park Slope, and Bedford Stuyvesant.[6]

Death and legacy

Morris died in his home from unstated causes on April 14, 1916, at age 55.[6]

Many of his buildings survive today. And through efforts of the communities around them, they have been preserved. While Morris doesn't have the largest body of work from that time, his stand out for their innovative use of massing, shapes, materials, ornament, design elements, loggias, balconies and the unique way he combined all these elements.[6]

Work

Pen name

Suzanne Spellen, a lay historian, writes for Brownstoner Magazine under that pen name.[8]

References
  1. Morris, C. Zawadi (February 7, 2011). "Landmarking Bed-Stuy: A Historical Context". Bed-Stuy Patch. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  2. Dillon, James T. (March 18, 1986) "Imperial Apartments Designation Report" New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Retrieved: April 17, 2015.
  3. Dillon, James T. (March 8, 1986) "Renaissance Apartments Designation Report" New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Retrieved: May 12, 2016
  4. Spellen, Suzanne (November 10, 2009). "Walkabout: The Architects – Montrose Morris, Part 1" Brownstoner. Retrieved: April 17, 2015.
  5. Architecture and Building v.48. W.T. Comstock Company. 1916. p. 17.
  6. Spellen, Suzanne (November 24, 2009) "Walkabout: Montrose Morris, From Hot to Forgot(ten)" Brownstoner. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  7. "Poly Prep Lower School" New York Architecture
  8. Sharon Otterman (February 24, 2014). "Blogger Keeps Focus on Brooklyn Architecture, but Now Mostly From Upstate". The New York Times.
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