Mills House

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Mills House No.1 at 160 Bleecker Street in New York City was designed by architect Ernest Flagg in the 1800's as a men's hotel.

Built originally as a hostel for poor gentlemen, this block-wide building contained 1,500 tiny rooms available at affordable rates and is the only survivor of two or three men's hotels built by Darius Ogden Mills, a banker, in New York City. Mills House No 2, which contained 600 small rooms for homeless men, was located on Rivington Street on the Lower East Side

Mills House hotels were closed during the day to encourage its residents to seek work. The hotel was built in accordance with the 1879 Tenement House Law known as the 'Old Law.' With two 60-square foot airshafts 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.

In 1902Jacob A. Riis (1849–1914), included the Mills Houses in his book, The Battle with the Slum.

In the mid 70s the building was gut-renovated and renamed The Atrium. Today it has 189 luxury cooperative apartments and furnished suits available for short term rental. The building retains its two 10 story interior airshafts that are covered with skylights. Hence the name, "The Atrium." The legendary Jazz Club, The Village Gate also was located in this building for over 28 years. Currently, it is a CVS/Pharmacy with The Village Theater located below.

[edit] External links

• Jacob Riis: The Battle of the Slum
• Atrium Suites
• Streetscapes/Mills House No. 1 on Bleecker Street; A Clean, Airy 1897 Home for 1,560 Working Men]