Bonus: Graham Court

Back in the day, the Astors were also interested in Harlem and built the 800-room Graham Court starting in 1898. It was for whites only and did not integrate until sometime between 1928 and 1933—one of the last buildings in Harlem to do so. Once that took place, important African American community leaders moved in.

Graham Court was the first courtyard building constructed by the Astors in 1901. It was designed like and Italian Renaissance palazzo by the same architecture firm as The Astor apartments on 75th Street, Clinton & Russell. Spanning the full length of 7th Avenue from 116th to 117th  Streets, the impressive building has appeared in many films such as Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever and the television series, Mozart in the Jungle. 

This post was written by Michelle Young and Nicole Saraniero

Next, check out 6 lost mansions of the Upper West Side