The Building Boom in Pelham in 1925 and 1926 at the Height of the Roaring Twenties
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The Great Depression was still years to come. The American economy was humming along. New York City and the surrounding region including one of the city's closest neighbors, the little Town of Pelham, were in the midst of major real estate and construction booms. The Roaring Twenties were underway.
Historic Pelham has published a number of articles about Pelham's building boom during the Roaring Twenties. For a few of many, many examples, see:
Fri., Aug. 14, 2015: The Massive Real Estate Boom of the Roaring Twenties in the Little Town of Pelham.
Fri., Mar. 02, 2018: Construction of the Peldean Court Apartments on Fifth Avenue in 1922.
Fri., Apr. 13, 2018: Plans in 1922 For Massive "Olgalorna" Apartment Complex Preceded Construction of Witherbee Court on the Same Site Overlooking Pelham Country Club.
In 1925, more construction occurred on the Village of Pelham Manor than ever before in its history. Planned construction of the Hutchinson River Parkway was well underway. Developments along Boston Post Road and Split Rock Road were in the planning stages as well. Homes were being built along much of the Esplanade, including sections near the Hutchinson River and Mount Vernon border. Large neighborhood developments like the Beech Tree Lane section were in the planning stages. Most significantly, large open tracts of land were becoming scarce in Pelham Manor as groups of one-family homes were "being developed on on a large building scale." Additionally, major construction of industrial complexes, warehouse complexes, and garages was completed in 1925 in that area of Pelham Manor southwest of today's Hutchinson River Parkway in the area of today's Fairway Market and the associated shopping plaza.
A local newspaper report published in 1926 provided an apt summary of the magnitude of the construction boom in Pelham Manor including the following:
"[I]n many places, there is the appearance of a boom in the growth of the village, but this growth is carefully guarded by village officials so that the future housing situation in the village will not be disturbed. Zoning and building ordinances are fully enforced, and the houses erected appeal to one's artistic sense and to one's desire for individuality. Even where a group of 15 or 20 small homes are being erected by one concern in a limited area, each house has its own characteristics, and repetition of color, design or location is studiously avoided.
During the past year, the number of permits for dwellings alone was 118, representing a total of $1,724,593 in this field. The total garage permits aggregated $15,040, while $29,180 was spent in alterations which in many cases meant the complete remodelling of an older dwelling. Business building permits were issued to a total amount of $53,990. The latter include a $16,000 warehouse and garage built by the Sinclair Refining company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company; the Mullins building with stores on Pelhamdale avenue, and several small offices and other business buildings of a small type outside the residential districts and on the outward edges of the village. The interior parts of the village have been religiously guarded against business invasion.
Among the large residential developments in this village is the creation of Pelham Gardens, with 45 small homes, by the Altieri company. Building in Pelham Manor has been directed along substantial lines, with a view to continuing the prestige of the village as a residential place for the home-owner. In other parts of the village, the Pelham Realty company is also constructing groups of small homes in artistic units."
The real estate boom of the mid-twenties was so substantial that a real estate section in The Daily Argus published in Mount Vernon included a two-page article with photographs and advertisements describing the huge building boom in Pelham. The entire article and many of the photographs and advertisements are included below as part of today's Historic Pelham article.
"Construction has been started on Pelham Gables, above, at Sixth avenue
and Fourth street, North Pelham, and this newest apartment will cost about
$400,000. Excavation for the structure was started last week." Source:
The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and
Building Edition, Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"WITHERBEE COURT -- Pelham Manor, New York"
PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926,
1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-8. NOTE:
Click on Image to Enlarge.
"'Peldean Court,' one of the John T. Brook attractive dwellings on
Fifth avenue, North Pelham." Source: TREMENDOUS BUILDING
BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham
Page 2, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"OWN YOUR OWN HOME --and be Happy--
BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham
Page 2, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"Among the handsomest school buildings in the state! That is the
opinion of persons who have visited the enlarged Pelham Memorial
high school. The new wing which doubles the former seating
capacity, was completed some months ago." Source:
ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,
Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"PELHAM The Most Beautiful of Suburban Towns." Source:
ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,
Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"This is 'Pelnord Court,' located on Fifth avenue, North Pelham." Source:
ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,
Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"Here Is YOUR Chance!" Source:
ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,
Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"'Pelbrook Hall,' another attractive type of apartment house in North
Pelham." Source: Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING
PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition,
Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
* * * * *
"Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams
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BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925
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Including the new Witherbee Court apartments at a probable estimated value of $350,000, building permits representing $2,172,803 in building operations were issued in Pelham Manor during the last yer, up to January 1, 1926. A total of 161 permits were issued during this period by former Building Inspector William Templeton and by Arthur Telford, present building inspector, who has been holding thaat office during the greater part of the last year.
These permits represent various types of building construction, including apartments, private dwellings, private garage, and a few scattered business and small office structures. The greatest trend of building construction has been in the erection of private residences, which is naturally in keeping with Pelham Manor's renown and an exclusively residential section. The only large apartment development of the past year has been the Witherbee Court improvement.
More building has been going on during the past year in this village than at any time in its history, and in view of the projected developments along the Boston Post road, and in the vicinity of Split Rock road, the coming year will probably seem an even greater increase of prosperity in this line. The construction of the Hutchinson Parkway through the latter section is expected to be a great contributory factor for the future growth of this end of the village.
New buildings are being constantly erected along the Esplanade toward the Mount Vernon side, and along Pelhamdale avenue. In fact in many parts of the village are groups of one-family houses being erected, and open tracts of land becoming fewer and fewer, are being developed on a large building scale. The result is that in many places, there is the appearance of a boom in the growth of the village, but this growth is carefully guarded by village officials so that the future housing situation in the village will not be disturbed. Zoning and building ordinances are fully enforced, and the houses erected appeal to one's artistic sense and to one's desire for individuality. Even where a group of 15 or 20 small homes are being erected by one concern in a limited area, each house has its own characteristics, and repetition of color, design or location is studiously avoided.
During the past year, the number of permits for dwellings alone was 118, representing a total of $1,724,593 in this field. The total garage permits aggregated $15,040, while $29,180 was spent in alterations which in many cases meant the complete remodelling of an older dwelling. Business building permits were issued to a total amount of $53,990. The latter include a $16,000 warehouse and garage built by the Sinclair Refining company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company off the Boston Post road; a $12,000 storage development by the Westchester Lighting company; the Mullins building with stores on Pelhamdale avenue, and several small offices and other business buildings of a small type outside the residential districts and on the outward edges of the village. The interior parts of the village have been religiously guarded against business invasion.
Among the large residential developments in this village is the creation of Pelham Gardens, with 45 small homes, by the Altieri company. Building in Pelham Manor has been directed along substantial lines, with a view to continuing the prestige of the village as a residential place for the home-owner. In other parts of the village, the Pelham Realty company is also constructing groups of small homes in artistic units.
A projected development of which more is expected to be heard during the coming year is the recent announcement that 150 homes may be constructed in a new realty project on land at Split Rock road and Boston Post road, overlooking the Hutchinson Parkway.
The proposed elimination of the Pelham sewage disposal plant in the Mount Tom section [sic] of Pelham Manor, through which the Hutchinson Parkway is to pass, will open up another tract of land for possible development in the near future. The elimination of this plant along with the development of the parkway project, and the construction of a sewer through this section would open up a large tract of land for development in Pelham Manor at the westerly end of the Esplanade.
The present tendency, however, seems to be toward the development of unoccupied tracts of land in the more improved parts of the village, wherever such tracts or plots can be found. Small one-family houses ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 seem to be the most popular form of building here. Quite often a more pretentious home is put up at a considerably higher cost, but in general, the newest residences here are of the six and seven room type, generally in various forms of stucco or brick construction, artistically designed and executed.
The following are the building permits issued by Building Inspector Arthur Telford and former Inspector William Templeton in Pelham Manor during the past year, including some of those issued to date:
Robert Mullins, dwelling, Townsend avenue, $18,000, January 3; George S. Douglas and Walter E. Hall, dwelling, Boston Post road, $10,500, January 8; Florence Thomas, dwelling, Rochelle Terrace, $10,000, January 8; E. Henderson and C. Christensen, dwelling and garage, Iden avenue and Carol place, $9,000, January 17; Bonmar Development corporation, dwelling and garage, 14 Bonmar road, $20,000, February 2; William Templeton and Son, dwelling and garage, Siwanoy place, $12,000, February 16; William Templeton and son, dwelling and garage, Siwanoy place, $12,000, February 16; H. A. and H. R. Swift, dwelling and garage, Hunter avenue, $8,000, February 18; E. B. Horgan, garage, Monterey avenue and Pelhamdale avenue, $475, February 21; Wynnewood Gardens, Inc., dwelling and garage, Wynnewood road, $10,000, February 21; Morton R. Cross, alterations, 997 Edgewood avenue, $3,500, February 24; T. Nelson Word, dwelling, Mount Tom road, $18,000, February 25; Charles B. Bloemecke, dwelling, Edgemere street, $6,500, February 25; A. R. Schulze, dwelling, Townsend avenue, $9,000, February 25; Sinclair Refining company, warehouse and garage, off Boston Post road, $16,000, February 25.
Thomas L. McCready, dwelling and garage, corner Grant avenue and Terrace place, $16,000, March 3; Gunnar Windfors, dwelling and garage, Grant avenue, $8,000, March 7; James C. McGovern, dwelling and garage, corner Francis street and Suburban avenue, $13,000, March 7; W. E. Hall and G. E. Douglas, dwelling and garage, Boston road, $13,000, March 14; A. F. Harmett, garage, Clay avenue, $600, March 14; Thomas L. McCready, dwelling and garage, corner Grant and Union avenues, $10,000, March 18; R. M. Mullins, dwelling, Grant avenue, $18,000, March 25; Thomas H. Jensen, dwelling and garage Windsor place, $8,000, March 25; Paul Vione, dwelling and garage, Park Lane, $35,000, March 25; Mrs. L. F. Carillo, garage, 400 Pelhamdale avenue, $475, March 25; W. D. Strack, alterations, 1019 Esplanade, $5,500, March 25; Westchester Improvement corporation, dwelling and garage, Bowman road, $10,000, March 25; Herkier Inc., dwelling and garage, Esplanade and Wolf's lane, $15,000, March 25; L. H. Austin, dwelling, Esplanade, $45,000, March 30; Leo Sullivan, dwelling, Windsor place, $9,500, March 30.
Joseph P. Ryan, dwelling and garage, Timpson street and Esplanade, $9,500, April 6; Helen C. Salch, office, 4340 Boston Post road, $250, April 6; Lester D. Nott garage and alterations, 426 Rochelle Terrace, $2,500, April 6; E. G. Barrow, garage, Pelhamdale avenue and Mount Tom road, $500, April 7; Marcella C. Craven, dwelling and garage, Hudson street, $17,800, April 13; Emily Marshall, dwelling and garage, Hudson street, $17,800, April 13; Emily Marshall, dwelling and garage, Hudson street, $17,800 April 13; Guy C. Mariner, Inc., dwelling, Colonial and Highbrook avenues, $25,000, April 13; Gertrude Thomas, dwelling, James street and Sherwood avenues, $14,000, April 13; Harry S. Haupt, garage, Black street, $1,500, April 14; Harry S. Haupt, garage, Esplanade and Black street, $1,500, Apirl 14; Harry S. Haupt, garage, Pelhamdale avenue and Black street, $1,500, April 14; F. R. Selleck, garage, 4 Stellar avenue, $490, Apirl 21; Eliza Martucci, dwelling, Hunter avenue, $7,000, April 21; Livinston Leeds, dwelling, Townsen avenue, $22,000, April 21; J. F. Patten, garage, Esplanade, $1,800, April 21; August Ackerman, garage, 473 Wolf's lne, $400, April 23; Mr. Dawson, garage, 100 Pelham Manor road, $500, April 28; Coal and Transfer Co., coal screen, Pelham Parkway, $1,000, April 28; Jocelyn Realty Co. Inc., dwelling, Peace street, $17,000, April 28; Peter Rhynas, dwelling and garage, Wolf's lane, $14,000, April 28.
Boualt Realty Co. Inc., garage, Lawrence place, $100, May 6; Boualt Realty Co., 4 garages, James street, at $100 each, May 6; Thomas J. Good dwelling and garage, Highbrook and Townsend avenues, $17,000, May 6; Alfonso Faganni, dwelling, Jackson avenue, $18,000, May 6; Ubald Landry, dwelling and garage, Plymouth street, $13950, May 6; Pelham Country club, alterations, Boston Post road, $1,500, May 6; Charles Bloemecke, dwelling, Edgemere place, $6,500, May 9; Mrs. Mildred L. Hamblen, alterations, Fowler avenue, $1,600, May 9; Jocelyn Realty Co., dwelling, Peace street, $22,000, :May 12; Deborah E. Wagner, alterations, Iden avenue and Carol place, $3,500, May 12; J. Charles Albrecht, dwelling, Carol place, $14,700, May 12; John Butcher, garage, Washington avenue, $1,000, May 16; Guy C. Mariner, Inc., dwelling, Heywood road, $30,000, May 16; Charles B. Bloemecke, garage, Edgemere place, $400, May 16; Groll Riding school, garage, Rosedale avenue $400, May 16; Charles B. Bloemecke, garage, Townsend avenue, $12,500, May 21; Charles B. Bloemecke, dwelling, Townsend avenue, $12,500, May 21; Harold A. Swift, dwelling, Grant avenue and Edgemere place, $9,493, May 26; Felix T. Hughes, dwelling, Heywood road, $27,500, May 28.
Pelham Manor Realty Corp., four dwellings and garages, Washington avenue, at $10,000 each, June 1; John T. Snyder, dwelling, corner Witherbee avenue and Pelham Manor road, $75,000, June 2; Peter Rhynas, garage, Wolf's lane, $700, June 4; Pelham Manor Realty Co., dwelling corner Monroe and Clay avenues, $10,000, June 4; Harry Babock, dwelling, Grant avenue and Union street, $9,300, June 4; W. E. Reyer, dwelling and garage, Esplanade and Hogen street, $38,000, June 4.
T. Pierce, dwelling, Boston road, $22,000, July 8; H. J. C. Miller, dwelling, corner Monterey avenue and Mitchill place, $18,000, July 10; Acarfilm Corp., portable factory, Boston road, $340, July 6; Alfonzo Faganni, dweling, Esplanade, $16,000, July 11; Pelham Manor Realty corporation, four dwellings, Hunter avenue, at $10,000 each, July 10; Edward Hehre, dwelling, James street, $12,000; Lincoln Randall, dwelling, Colonial avenue, $10,000; Hugh J. Smallem, dwelling, Washington avenue, $12,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, six dwellings, Clay avenue, at $10,000 each; Westchester Lighting company, storage land, at the Lighting plant, $12,000; Witherbee Court corporation, apartment. Wynnewood road; Gunnar Lindfors, dwelling, Union street, $8,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, seven dwellings, Pelham Manor gardens, at $10,000 each.
John Smith, dwelling, Rockledge drive, $45,000; L. Harreld, dwelling, Hunter avenue, $10,000; Pelham Manor Summer home, dwelling, Split Rock road, $1,600; Matteo Bortone, dwelling, Pelhamdale and Monterey avenues, $16,000; Edgewood Avenue Realty company, alterations, Edgewood avenue, $9,000; Charles B. Bloemecke, garage, Edgemere place, $250; Lawrence Wardrop, garage, Edgemere place, $450; Bradley Randall, dwelling, Park lane, $20,000; Norman E. Donnelly, dwelling, Iden and Pelhamdale avenues, $8,500; Charles B. Bloemecke, dwelling, Monroe street, $7,600; Mrs. Huittenberg, alterations, Split Rock road, $800; Angelina Nordone, two dwellings, Murray street, at $10,000 each; Guy C. Mariner, garage, Heywood road, $890; Elsie Nybern, dwelling, Terrace place, $12,000.
Pelham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Garden road and Garden place, $10,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, four dwellings, Garden place and Washington avenues, $10,000 each, September 15; William J. Bloemecke, dwelling, Monroe street, $5,000, September 17; J. George Costello, dwelling, Ely avenue, $2,000, September 25; Gertrude Thomas, dwelling, James street, $13,000, September 25; Max Block, dwelling, Wolf's lane, $18,000, September 26; Emily Marshall, dwelling, Hudson street, $14,450.
Pelham Manor Realty company, two dwellings, at $10,000 each; Pel-
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Continued on Other Pelham Page
GREAT PROGRESS IS ALSO SEEN IN THE PELHAMS
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BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925
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Continued from First Pelham Page
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ham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Monroe street and Garden road, $10,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Garden Place, $10,000; Pelham Manor Realty company, dwelling, Monroe street, $10,000; Robert M. Mullins, stores, Pelhamdale avenue, $20,000; Ellen R. Cottrell, alterations, Highland avenue, $680; Samuel W. Bradley, dwelling, Monroe street, $8,000; C. O. Jackson, dwelling, Edgewood avenue, $22,000; Thomas Good, dwelling, Peace street, $11,000; E. W. Siedler, dwelling, Rochelle Terrace, $11,000; Guy C. Mariner, dwelling, Country Club lane, $12,500; Theodore M. Hill, garage, Highland avenue, $900; George Jeffers, dwelling, Mount Tom road, $65,000; J. A. Lehman, dwelling, Hunter avenue, $11,000; Lillian Bonothal, dwelling, Esplanade, $14,500; Lawrence Wardrop, dwelling, Grant avenue, $8,900; Clifford Wiehman, dwelling, Monterey avenue, $58,000; Antonio Longo, dwelling, Monterey avenue, $20,000; Coal, and Transfer Co., office, Secor lane, $4,4000.
The following are among the permits issued during the last month; Livingston Leeds, dwelling, Jackson avenue, $20,000; Fish and Marvin office, Boston road and Pelhamdale avenue, $4,000; Jocelyn Realty Co., two garages, Peace street, $480 each; W. B. Landay, dwelling, Plymouth street, $16,400; Gunnar Lindfors, dwelling, Union street, $7,000."
Source: Great Progress Is Also Seen In The Pelhams -- BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED IN PELHAM MANOR FOR 1925, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham Page 1, cols. 1-8 & Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-2.
"TREMENDOUS BUILDING BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS
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Although the village of Pelham Heights has become pretty well established, new homes are being constantly erected here, wherever there is an undeveloped plot. In this village, there has been not rapid or 'mush-room' growth in late building development, but rather, Pelham has grown in a sensible, staple manner. The village of Pelham is regarded as a section meant for residence only, and these residences re limited to better homes of the one-family type only.
Large apartments which are becoming a feature of almost every home community are zoned against in the residential sections of Pelham Heights. Late building developments in Pelham have tended, as in North Pelham, Pelham Manor and other residential communities, toward a single-family structure, artistic in appearance and permanent in construction. Some of the older residences have been constructed along more palatial lines, and even today, some of the newer homes are of a size and type indicative of wealth and stability.
During January alone, building permits representing more than $100,000 were issued by Building Inspector Harry B. Mulliken. Most of the buildings in this group are to be erected by Frederick Jockell, whose investments will total $80,000, according to these permits. These are among the newest developments in Pelham Heights, and consist of four 2 1/2 story dwellings to be erected in various parts of the village.
During this month and the last few days of January, however, no permits were issued for any other large developments in Pelham aside from permits for minor purposes. Hence the amount of building during the early part of the year is not expected to be the same through every month of the year. Building in the more developed parts of the village is bound to be sporadic and isolated, in view of the fact that Pelham Heights is pretty well built up.
Other late developments include a group of small artists and attractive stucco homes on Ancon avenue, which add to the prestige of Pelham as a village of fine homes, 2 1/2 stories, bordering the new Hutchinson Parkway at Sparks avenue. These were recently completed by the Twentieth Century Homes, Inc., this place being developed by Manning Stires as 'Manning Terrace.' There are nine attractive homes in this group, a frame or stucco construction.
The construction of the Hutchinson Parkway through this section will probably result in the construction of several more small homes at the end of the village, wherever there are undeveloped plots.
The future promises a great change along Wolf's lane, however. The widening of this street has brought with it the forecast that Wolf's lane will one day be the main business center of this section, as a continuation of the business district along Fifth avenue in North Pelham. An indication of what it promises to become is shown by the reconstruction of the old Orlando building by the John T. Brook company. The remodeled building will be known as Pel Gables, and will be English in design, like Pelbrook Hall and Pelham apartments in North Pelham. It will be a business and home building of an artistic type.
The open ground along the westerly side of Wolf's lane will probably be open to business, rather than to residential development, and it is believed that within a few years, this part of Wolf's lane will see an unprecedented development along business lines, in continuation of the business places already established along this street near the New Haven station.
The largest single development in Pelham Heights during the coming year will be the new $290,000 school building to be erected on the present Colonial school will be one of the most modern in the town of Pelham, and will be in harmony with the residents in that section. Starrett and Van Vleck architects, were last week commissioned to draw up plans and specifications for the new school, along Colonial lines of architecture. Bids are to be advertised for this week to get a wrecking concern that will pay for taking down the present school building, and taking away the material in it."
Source: TREMENDOUS BUILDING BOOM EXPERIENCED IN PELHAM HGTS, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 27, 1926, 1926 Realty and Building Edition, Pelham Page 2, cols. 1-8.
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Labels: 1925, 1926, Apartment Building, Construction, Real Estate, Real Estate Advertisement, Real Estate Puff Piece, Roaring Twenties
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