217 East 11th Street | Block : 467 | Lot #53

Description & Building Alterations

This narrow building was constructed together with its neighbor at 215 East 11th Street in 1856. Both were owned by Samuel Ellicott and designed by architect William Beard. Prior to construction, there was a rear house on the two lots, which were formerly combined as one, as seen in the 1853 map. Mr. Beard passed away under odd circumstances in 1871, when his body was found in the North River. He left behind a considerable estate for his four adult children. These houses have deep arched entryways, double doors, covered brownstone bases, and brick facades. The windows have segmental-arched lintels with brackets. No. 217 retains its multi-paned sash and Italianate stair railings.

This building was owned by artist Adja Yunkers and his wife, art historian Dore Ashton, in the 1960s. The two hosted the likes of Mark Rothko, Philip Guston, and other artists during the abstract expressionism movement. In 1963, the building was converted from single-room occupancy to a two family residence: one family lived on the first through fourth floors, and another family lived in the basement.