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Metropolitan Fireproof Warehouse

Coordinates: 40°47′08″N 73°58′35″W / 40.7855°N 73.9763°W / 40.7855; -73.9763
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Metropolitan Fireproof Warehouse
Map
General information
LocationManhattan, New York City
Address475 Amsterdam Avenue
Opened1925

Metropolitan Fireproof Warehouse was an 11-story structure built on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, in 1925. It fronted seventy-four feet on Amsterdam Avenue between 82nd Avenue and 83rd Street. Continuing in its rear for one hundred feet, the edifice possessed an L fronting twenty-five feet on West 83rd Street. Aside from warehouse space, the Metropolitan Fireproof Warehouse contained exhibit, sales rooms, and other facilities.[1]

Business records

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In July 1932 it was discovered that Lawrence S. Morris, secretary and general manager of the company, had diverted over $100,000 from the business. His brother, Charles S. Morris, was president of the Metropolitan Fireproof Warehouse, Inc. Charles Morris suffered a Nervous breakdown in the spring of 1929. Morris learned that his brother had borrowed $15,000 from the firm when an accountant was called in, following his illness. Lawrence Morris had forged his name on checks to carry out his theft of more than $100,000. The Morris brothers resided in the same apartment house, which was located at 666 West End Avenue.[2]

A bankruptcy petition for $750 was filed against the business by N&H Michaelian, rug cleaners, on December 22, 1935.[3]

Acquired by Sofia Brothers

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Sofia Brothers bought the building in December 1950 when it was under foreclosure by the Greenwich Savings Bank. Its property value at the time was assessed at $440,000, of which $125,000 represented land value. Arthur Eckstein, Inc., brokered the sale with the title being insured by the Title Guarantee and Trust Company. Attorneys for the seller were Karelson, Karelson, Rubin & Rosenberg. Irving Raisman was the attorney for the buyer. It became the fourth warehouse in New York City for Sofia Brothers, which was founded in 1910.[1]

In 2020 it was an apartment building.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Large Warehouse Sold On West Side". The New York Times. December 5, 1950. p. 55. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  2. ^ "Accused By Brother Of $100,000 Thefts". The New York Times. July 28, 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  3. ^ "Business Records". The New York Times. December 23, 1935. p. 35.
  4. ^ "471-475 Amsterdam Avenue, AKA 168 West 83rd Street". LANDMARK WEST. Retrieved 2021-02-15.

40°47′08″N 73°58′35″W / 40.7855°N 73.9763°W / 40.7855; -73.9763