George G. Miller's 1931 461 West 44th Street

 

photograph by Anthony Bellov

On August 14, 1931, The New York Times reported that the New York Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church had rented the West Side Methodist Church property at 461-463 West 44th Street, just east of Tenth Avenue.  The article mentioned that the congregation, "went out of existence several years ago."  The journalist explained that the lessee, Jere Holding Corporation, "has agreed to begin the erection of a six-story apartment house within thirty days."

The West Side Methodist Church.  from the collection of the New York Public Library

The syndicate organized the 461 West Forty-fourth Street Corp., and hired 38-year-old architect George Gottlieb Miller to design the structure.  Perhaps because of the ongoing Depression, his Art Deco design would rely almost exclusively on contrasting brick to create the decorative elements.

The centered, double-doored entrance was flanked with brown brick "stems" that rose to stylized cast stone unfurling ferns.  Above the geometric frame was a cast heraldic plaque.  The variegated beige brick facade of the upper floors was decorated with chevrons, diamonds, and vertical lines, all executed in brown brick.  A decorated parapet took the place of a cornice.

photograph by Anthony Bellov

The completed structure cost $100,000 to construct, or just over $2 million in 2025 terms.  The New York Society of Methodist Episcopal Church initially charged the 461 West Forty-fourth Street Corp. $4,600 per year rent.  Residents, in turn, paid rents starting at $35 per month for the small apartments with "kitchenettes."  (The least expensive monthly rent would translate to about $635 today.)

Among the early residents were newlyweds Helen and Theodore Warady, who moved into a three-room apartment following their wedding in December 1931.  Previous to her marriage, Helen worked in a dance hall.  The couple's marital bliss was extremely short lived.  Only two months later, Theodore moved out, taking a room in the Hotel Alba on West 54th Street.  On February 4, 1932, The New York Times reported that Helen, who was 27 years old, "was found dead yesterday morning in her three-room apartment at 461 West Forty-fourth Street.  She had committed suicide by gas."

Uniform canvas awnings that matched the marquee shielded damaging sunlight and heat.  image via the NYC Dept of Records & Information Services.

The building's superintendent was German-born Anna Gunther.  Despite her gender, she was more than capable of handling problems that might arise within the still gritty neighborhood.  The New York Sun said in 1936 that she "has not quite mastered American speech but she is adept in American rough-and-tumble strong-arm methods."  Gunther's street-wise capabilities came into use on December 18, 1936.

Actress Louise Marsh occupied an apartment on the second floor.  While the 22-year-old was trying on a dress in a shop on West 46th Street at around 7:30 that evening, her purse disappeared.  The New York Sun reported, "The saleswoman said a strange girl had been in the shop a few minutes before."  Inside the purse were Louise's keys and "a check bearing her name and address."  Concerned that the thief would ransack her apartment, she borrowed $1 and sped home in a cab.

Sure enough, when she arrived, Anna Gunther said a young woman had gone into her apartment with a key.  Explaining the situation, Marsh ran to find a policeman and "Mrs. Gunther guarded the door."  Dorothy McBride came down the stairs to confront a formidable roadblock.  Gunther told reporters,

She had been taking all things, but then she say to let her out and I tell her no, she is bad girl and must wait for police, and she say she go down fire escape.  So I grab her by both arms and then hit her.  She then run to fire escape and almost jump, but I hold her by arms with her legs dangling.  It seem like half hour before Miss Marsh come with cop, but she say is only ten minutes.

The New York Sun humorously remarked, "The G men can quell a Brunette with tear-gas bombs and sub-machine guns, but thirty-eight-year-old Mrs. Anna Gunther, superintendent at 461 West Forty-fourth street, can subdue a brunette, or even a blonde, with her brawny arms."  Anna explained, "I don't smoke or drink so I'm strong.  I got to be for my work.  I carry out the ashcans when my husband is away.  I would even go after man burglar."

At the station house, Dorothy McBride (who had gathered up  "property worth several hundred dollars") initially said her name was Leisa Dean, before confessing her real name.  The New York Times said the 22-year-old was from Canada and she, "said she had been in this country but a few months."  

While it could be argued that the Depression led Dorothy McBride to a life of crime, Charlotte Hayden could not use that excuse during the World War II years.  The 28-year-old occupied an apartment here on November 19, 1944 when she was arrested for running a bookmaking operation.  As she was taken away, she told police, "I don't mind being arrested, but please don't take out my telephone."  The New York Times reported, "she used the telephone in her apartment at 461 West Forty-fourth Street to receive bets."  

photograph by Anthony Bellov

At the time of Hayden's arrest, 461 West 44th Street had been a cooperative for two years.  There are still 43 apartments in the building, although the Depression year occupants would not recognize its modern updates like laundry facilities and video security.  And despite necessary replacement windows and architecturally sympathetic security doors, George G. Miller's 1931 design survives essentially intact.

many thanks to historian Anthony Bellov for suggesting this post