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NO. 52 IRVING PLACE
(aka 123 East 17th Street)
Architect: Charles C. Thain
1912

The final multiple dwelling in the proposed district, this handsome Colonial Revival style red brick building with white stone trim and a projecting iron cornice was commissioned in 1912 by John S. Foster, who lived next door at 54 Irving Place. This six-storied building was planned with bachelor's apartments. Bachelor's flats were modest apartment houses erected to house single men in small but well-appointed suites that lacked kitchen facilities. In the early years of the 20th century, a number of these buildings appeared in the vicinity of Gramercy Park since the many clubs in the the neighborhood provided a venue for meals and entertainment. No. 52 Irving Place originally had 18 apartments of two to four rooms. In 1933, by which time buildings especially for bachelors had ceased to be popular, kitchens were added to the small suites.