Percy and Harold D. Uris papers, 1901-2003

Subseries 6.1. Administrative Records

Contains tenant files, monthly property statements, subject files, mortgage and loan records, and employee related files for 300 Park Avenue. The tenant files include correspondence, leases, plans, modification documents, rent inclusions, financial records, and other materials portraying the business involvements the Urises had with their commercial tenants. Monthly property statements issued by the five firms who administered the property that provide information about the commercial operation of the 300 Park Avenue building. The monthly property statements contain financial reports, paid invoices, payroll records, tenant information, and related management documents. In general, the monthly financial reports provide information on income, expenditures, taxes, billing, collection, tenant charges, and related fiscal matters. The invoices reveal the monthly business expenses, the payroll records explain the compensation and benefits earned by employees of the building, and the receipts of tenant charges indicate how much individual tenants paid for rent and building services. In the subject files, correspondence, corporate records, management agreements, service and maintenance contracts, construction documents, and other materials represent the construction and operation of 300 Park Avenue. These items describe administrative activities, building management operations, structural maintenance, local law compliance, lease discussions, inspections, and the initial construction of the office building. The mortgage and loan records have statements, agreements, correspondence, assignments, promissory notes, and financial records about the financing of the 300 Park Avenue project. These documents on the funding of initial construction and subsequent fiscal arrangements involve a number of lenders. Correspondence, union records, payroll statements, insurance claims, personnel files, tax information, and other papers are contained in the employee records. These records discuss payroll information, tax documents, union matters, insurance, pensions, wage increases, absences, job training, retirements, applications, and other issues associated with the employees.

Arrangement is by type

Comprised of correspondence, leases, plans, modification documents, rent inclusions, financial records, and other materials associated with individual tenants at 300 Park Avenue. These documents portray the business involvements the Urises had with their commercial tenants. Tenants at 300 Park Avenue were engaged in diverse occupations and leased space for corporate executive offices, retail stores, financial institutions, travel agencies, securities firms, designers, marketing, real estate, showrooms, restaurants, and storage. The correspondence with tenants explains all aspects of their leases, alterations to the premises, rent escalations, permissions to sublet space, legal issues, tenant expenses, occupancy schedules, mortgages, and relevant corporate matters. Included are communications about services provided by the landlord, information on individual tenants, complaints, security concerns, elevator use, insurance claims, fire safety, signs, building passes, keys, and adherence to local laws concerning asbestos, fire, smoking, and drought restrictions. Letters to and from the management companies and facilities staff handling the building discuss rent, security deposits, tenant charges, maintenance of the property, safety measures, renovations, elevators, authorizations, and operating services offered tenants. Additional correspondence regarding the initial erection of the office building describes the customization of space for tenants, architectural plans and specifications, progress meetings, inspections, contractor work, alterations, financial matters, and other construction subjects. Subsequent construction projects are likewise documented with communications concerning renovations, repairs, compliance with zoning regulations, environmental impact, cost worksheets, interactions with the Department of Buildings, professional installations, design plans, work completed, and distribution of payments for labor, materials, equipment and related expenses. Interoffice memorandums in these files also discuss negotiated lease terms, tenant's financial situation, modification agreements, calculation of tenant charges, proposed leases, renewals, lease abstracts, and move in/out particulars.

The leases each specify the tenant, terms of lease, length of lease, portion of building being rented, riders, work allowances, formulas for calculating rent payments, and construction or alteration requirements for the premise. Subleases and under-subleases incorporate similar information as well as consent from the landlord for the arrangement. Often appended to the leases are blueprints, exhibits, and other plans of tenant space illustrating Emery Roth & Sons' construction drawings, furniture arrangements, electrical diagrams, floor plans, and interior design layouts. All of these leases are for entire floors, portions of floors, store locations, mezzanine areas, or basement levels. Documents modifying the leases describe revisions to lease terms over the course of tenancy and escalations of rent based on increases in electricity costs, real estate taxes, and wage rates. These lease modifications consist of permissions to sublet space, tenant billing statements, amendments, extensions, brokerage settlements, light and air covenants, changes in rental rate, surrender agreements, mortgage deals, draft copies, and records regarding renovations and other installations to the premise. Also included are assignments, agreements executed when company merges, acquisitions, changes name, or experiences other transformations that transfer the lease by one corporate entity to another and the assignee assumes the obligations of the lease.

The records on electric rent inclusions in the tenant files detail the increases and decreases in electric rates and the subsequent adjustments to lease terms and tenant charges for service. There are agreements on the rental consideration of electric current, bills, statements, and notifications of the Consolidated Edison increases approved by the Public Service Commission of the State of New York. Reports on surveys of equipment and usage are included as part of the information utilized in determining fees. Tenant charge statements, reports, and other financial records further document the expenditures, and fiscal status of the tenants. Individual tenants paid for overtime freight service, elevator mechanics, air conditioning, rubbish removal, water usage, porter services, heat, engineers, and the labor and materials stemming from work orders. Financial statements, balance sheets, and the sales reports used to calculate the percentage rent assessed for retail shops provide an account of several tenant's economic performance. In addition to all these documents, the tenant files have license agreements for coffee and antenna television services, elevator log records, news articles, bankruptcy filings, and other papers about the building's operations and occupant activities.

Since Colgate-Palmolive Company was the primary occupant at 300 Park Avenue, the subseries contains a significant amount of materials about their tenancy. In almost four boxes of files, correspondence, leases, rental agreements, financial records, construction materials and other documentation define the relationship with Colgate-Palmolive. The correspondence between the corporation and representatives of the Urises discusses the lease, tenant expenses, upkeep on the space, facilities matters, services provided by the landlord, the cafeteria, problems, and other issues. Letters and interoffice memorandums address all aspects of the lease from term negotiations, modifications, extensions, subtenants, electric inclusions, painting requirements, and other agreements. They furthermore cover operating expenses, rental price adjustments, safety, mortgage deals, alterations to the office areas, maintenance performed, and Colgate-Palmolive's business activities. Communications about facilities management and services include access to buildings, elevators, security, cleaning, utilities, insurance claims, waste disposal, exterminating, fire safety, directory listings, and the operation of their cafeteria. In addition, there are complaints about smells, sub par construction, elevators, cleaning, temperature, damage, thefts, and other incidents. The leases are accompanied by sublease permissions, rental agreements, inclusions, surveys, negotiation documents, extensions, plans, proposals, and related modifications. In the financial records, there are tenant charges, work orders, purchase orders, and Cross & Brown Company remittance statements. The bills itemize water, air conditioning, heating, engineer service, labor and materials for repairs and maintenance, overtime freight operations, porter service, elevator mechanic, and rubbish removal expenditures. Documents connected to the formation of the Colgate-Palmolive areas include correspondence, architectural specifications, progress reports, meeting minutes, building permits, interoffice memorandums, and construction orders. These construction records involve Uris Brothers Inc., Ernest E. Pfeiffer, Emery Roth & Sons, company executives, the Department of Housing and Building, subcontractors, and Ebasco Services, Inc., who served as the architects and engineers for Colgate-Palmolive. They illustrate the tenant's involvement with construction project and the arrangement of their premises. Changes to the design, New York City building regulations, disputes concerning the work completed, inspections, kitchen, murals, lights, fixtures, equipment, a conveyor system, doors, tile, and a move in schedule are among the aspects addressed.

Besides the information about tenants in the office building at 300 Park Avenue, there are also records for Sherry Catering, Inc. Sherry Catering, Inc. was a restaurant and gift shop located in the apartment house previously situated on the property. Before the building was demolished, the Uris Brothers purchased and briefly operated the catering business. The files about Sherry Catering, Inc. consist of correspondence, appraisals, inventories, legal papers, financial records, and other materials. The correspondence between the original owners, Uris personnel, management company, and other interested parties explain the provisional business arrangement and subsequent dissolution of the firm. These exchanges deal with lease provisions, the estate of the former owner, the monthly financial statements, meetings on the project, rent payments, utility bills, appraisals, performance assessments, adherence to city regulations, banquet schedules, and insurance coverage as well as the general operations of the restaurant, catering, and gift shop. Interoffice memorandums also express the efforts to cancel the lease, business performance, the planned new building, rent roll list, lease modifications, financial analysis, taxes, valuation of inventories, sale of equipment, and liquidation of the company. The appraisals and inventories list the furnishings, equipment, office machines, supplies, food, and candy shop contents further illustrate the disposal of business assets. Papers generated by the lawyer, Lester Bachner discuss his handling of the legal issues regarding company liquidation, collections on unsettled debts, sale of inventory, insurance, employees, and contract terminations. In the financial records, there are balance sheets on the business status, calculations of the percentage of profits paid to the Urises, rent charges, monthly reports, accounts receivable statements, transaction documents, and information on outstanding fiscal obligations. Also included are alphabetical files of purchases detailing the outstanding client accounts receivable, collection letters, balances owed vendors, payment of liabilities, relinquishment of licenses, insurance coverage, and refunds. In addition, there are lease modification agreements, Department of Housing and Buildings violation information, and lists of Sherry Catering, Inc. bookings.

Alphabetical, then chronological

Separated to Roll UB_068: one blueprint of First Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. 2, 1954.

Separated to Roll UB_069: two diazo prints of Floor Plans, Chemical Corn Exchange Bank, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Office of Alfred Easton Poor, Job #862, Drawing No. 1-A and No. 2-A, 1954 July 13.

Separated to Roll UB_042: two diazo prints of Alterations to the Offices of Cerro de Pasco Corp., 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., George A. Bielich, Architect, Dwg. No. A-1 and A-2, 1959.

Separated to Roll UB_045: one diazo print plan of 14th floor, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. 5, 1954 April 30.

Separated to Roll UB_043: one diazo print of Plan of Existing Conditions on 14th Floor, Phelps Dodge Corp., 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., A Designs for Business Inc., Drawing No. 1-X, undated.

Separated to Roll UB_042: one blueprint of Plan of Railing for Ramp, Citroen Car Corp., 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., John Barrington Bayley, 1955 October 16.

Separated to Roll UB_071: one diazo print of 8th Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Delta Mechanical Corp., Herman Thalman, Inc., 1980 August 18.

Separated to Roll UB_070: two blueprints of Reflected Ceiling Plan, 11th Floor Admin. Exec. Dept. Kitchen, Colgate-Palmolive Company, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Carson & Lundin, Architects, Job No. 619, Drawing No. 220, 1955 November 10.

Separated to Roll UB_076: two blueprints of HVAC System, 11th Floor, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Raisler Corporation, Drawing No. T-11-S and No. T-11-N, 1955.

Separated to Roll UB_076: one diazo print of "Exhibit N", [unidentified creator], 1975 May 16.

Separated to Roll UB_073: five diazo prints of HVAC Plans, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Hartmann & Concessi, Drawing No. M-2 and No. HVAC-11-1 and No. EH-1, 1979-1980.

Separated to Roll UB_073: sixteen diazo prints of Vice President Offices, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Jerard Offen Assoc. Co., Drawing Nos. 1-5, 1979 June-July.

Separated to Roll UB_075: two diazo prints of 14th Floor Plans, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Office of Design Associates, Inc., Drawing No. CP-14 and No. DC-14, 1978 July 28.

Separated to Roll UB_076: one diazo print of Air Conditioning and Lighting Layouts, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., [unidentified creator], Drawing No. 2-10801-0-C.E., 1975 December 1.

Contains one black and white photograph of architect's rendering.

Separated to Roll UB_055: eight diazo prints of Construction Plans on 3rd Floor, Crane Company, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., 1975.

Separated to Roll UB_065: two diazo prints of Floor Plans, Crane Company, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Drawing No. 73 and 74, undated.

Separated to Roll UB_039: one diazo print of Crane Co. A-C and Condenser Unit Duct Work, 2nd Floor Computer Room, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Air Flow Control Corp., Job No. 82250, Dwg. No. 1, 1980 November 3.

Separated to Roll UB_042: two diazo prints of 2nd Floor, Crane Company, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Mitchell G. Attick, Architect, 1980-1981.

Separated to Roll UB_064: one diazo print and one graphite on tissue of Office Layout for Crane Company, 3rd Floor, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Robert A.M. Stern and John S. Hagmann, 1974.

Separated to Roll UB_045: one diazo print of Cellar Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. 1, 1954 April 30.

Separated to Roll UB_045: one blueprint of Cellar Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. 1, 1954 April 30.

Separated to Roll UB_045: four blueprints of First Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. 2, 1954 April 30.

Separated to Roll UB_062: one diazo print plan of Refrigeration Equipment Layout, Uris Brothers-Chandler's, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Raisler Corporation, Job. No. 3272, Drawing No. 50, 1957 January 15.

Separated to Roll UB_043: two printed papers of 3rd to 11th Floor Plans, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Cross & Brown Company, 1967.

Separated to Roll UB_045: two diazo prints of 3rd Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. 4 and No. T-3, 1954-1955.

Separated to Roll UB_045: one diazo print of 3rd Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. 4, 1954 April 30.

Separated to Roll UB_043: one diazo print of The Jockey Club Preliminary Space Analysis, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Designs for Business, Inc., 1958 December 17.

Separated to Roll UB_048: eight diazo prints of Construction Plans for Non-Ferrous Intl., 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Environment Planning, Inc., Drawing No. 1401 to 1404, 1975 May 23.

Separated to Roll UB_045: two diazo prints of 14th Floor Plans, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Emery Roth & Sons, Drawing No. T-14, 1954.

Separated to Roll UB_043: one photostat of 14th Floor Plan, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Designs for Business, Inc., undated.

Separated to Roll UB_052: one diazo print of Room Sprinkler Plan of Cellar, Chandler's Rest., 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Margolin Mech'l Cont'g. Corp., Drawing No. SP-1, 1965 February 2.

Contains one microfiche with four images of drawings and documents.

Separated to Roll UB_043: one diazo print of Part Plan of A/C Ductwork for 15th Floor, the Uris Building, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Delta Mechanical Corp., Herman Thalman Sheet Metal, Drawing No. 15-1, 1981 August 4.

Separated to Roll UB_063: one diazo print of 15th Floor Plan, Offices for Uris 380 Madison Company, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Wm. R. Sachs, Architect, Drawing No. 1, 1981 September 28.

PAYROLL RECORDS RESTRICTED UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2080

Monthly property statements issued by the five firms who administered the property over 45 years. Douglas L. Elliman & Co. began in 1951 and was followed by Cross & Brown Company, Abrams Benisch Riker, Inc., Colliers ABR, and finally Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. Each of these organizations provided statements about the commercial operation of the 300 Park Avenue building. The monthly property statements contain financial reports, paid invoices, payroll records, tenant information, and related management documents. In general, the monthly financial reports provide information on income, expenditures, taxes, billing, collection, tenant charges, and related fiscal matters. From 1955 to 1989, Cross & Brown Company issued four different reports for the property: Statement of Receipts, Statement of Owners Account, Agency Building Transaction, and Budget Operating. Paid invoices document the amount spent on taxes, utilities, professional services, cleaning, construction, building maintenance, supplies, security, landscaping, and other operating expenses. In the payroll records, there are reports, weekly registers, tax forms, union contributions, and other documents that explain the compensation and benefits earned by employees of the building. Receipts of tenant charges indicate how much individual lessees paid for steam and water usage, electricity, air conditioning, heating, repairs, elevator operation, and the overtime services of electricians, engineers, and mechanics. There are also tenant rental adjustments, escalations, and property rolls detailing the square feet occupied and individual tenant expenditures.

Reverse chronological

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Consists of correspondence, corporate records, management agreements, service and maintenance contracts, construction documents, and other materials related to the construction and operation of 300 Park Avenue. These items describe administrative activities, building management operations, structural maintenance, local law compliance, lease discussions, inspections, and the initial construction of the office building. The correspondence addresses most of these subjects, particularly dealings with building management firms, potential commercial tenants, contractors, city inspectors, service providers, New York Central Railroad, and the residents of the original apartment house at 300 Park Avenue. In accordance with their rights to easement areas, New York Central Railroad wrote to the Urises with their approvals or modifications to the plans and specifications for the new twenty-five-story building and demolition work. Letters between the Uris office, residential tenants, and apartment management company depict the discussions and final agreement concerning relocation of those living in the apartments intended for destruction. In the corporate records, there are appraisals, certificates of title, employee authorizations, business certificates, deeds, insurance papers, purchase statements, and documents about changes to the corporate entities controlling the property. Agreements with Douglas L. Elliman & Co., Cross & Brown Company, and Abrams Benisch Riker, Inc. illustrate the management and leasing services provided by each firm as well as the fees charged. The service contracts with National Cleaning Contractors, Inc., Prudential Building Maintenance, Consolidated Edison, Autocall Metro Inc., Benjamin Harkavy, Lansdell Protective Agency, Inc., Spaeth Design, Tele Dynamics, Walsh Associates, Ltd., and others portray the everyday upkeep of the building. These agreements and supporting documentation demonstrate the cleaning services, landscaping, utilities, elevator service, security, waste removal, light replacements, exterminating services, decorations, coffee service, window washing, and other maintenance issues at 300 Park Avenue. Alongside these service contracts are agreements with contractors, including Arch Electric Inc., Compliance Management, Inc. (CMI), Consolidated Environmental Services, Inc., Jerard Offen Associates, Inc., Manhattan Cooling Towers, Inc., Millar Elevator Industries, Inc., Remco Maintenance Corporation, and Rosenwach Tank Co. Inc., for repairs and renovations on the building. They explain electrical work, asbestos removal, lobby wall repairs, passenger elevator improvements, curtain wall refinishing, water tank replacement, window repairs, and the installation of a new cooling tower. Also included are records regarding the labor and materials needed to fulfill local law requirements for fire safety systems, sprinklers, emergency lighting, elevator recall, anti-bombing measures, communication systems, and access signage. In addition to the contracts about the engineering and construction services required for compliance, there is correspondence and other materials about the Local Law 5 provisions, New York City Department of Building permits, inspections, and violations. Besides these agreements regarding the property's upkeep, there are records pertaining to the original building construction. A building contract, wall agreement, easement agreements with New York Central Railroad, floor plans of the apartment house, and lists of residential tenants reveal a few of the issues surrounding the project. Finally, the sub-subseries also contains a certificate of occupancy, proposed leases, projected financial statements, schedule of leases, equipment information, studies, publicity, and reports of building inspections for condition, repairs, and code compliance.

Alphabetical

Contains two black and white photographs of architectural renderings.

Separated to Roll UB_064: two diazo prints of Class E System Extension Plans, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Syska & Hennessy, Mechanical-Electrical Engineers, Drawing No. E-1 and No. E-2, 1986 February 28.

Primarily statements, agreements, correspondence, assignments, promissory notes, and financial records about the financing of the 300 Park Avenue project. These documents explain the initial exchange with Webb Knapp, Inc. of 2 Lafayette Street (Court Square Building) for properties at 300 Park Avenue, 48 East 50th Street, and 47 East 49th Street. Then, there are agreements and correspondence in relation to the building loan. The sub-subseries includes correspondence, mortgage application, closing statements, extension agreements, consolidation agreement, collateral lease assignment, partial release of mortgage on the mortgage loan with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. There are also documents about the additional funds and refinancing obtained from the New York State Common Retirement Fund/Employees Retirement System, the Greenwich Savings Bank, Manhattan Saving Bank, Mellon Mortgage Company, and Irving Trust Company. In addition, there are schedules of payments, interest rate notices, balance sheets, financial statements, and rent rolls related to these fiscal matters.

Alphabetical, then chronological

RESTRICTED UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2080

Comprised of correspondence, union records, payroll statements, insurance claims, personnel files, tax information, and other papers associated with the employees at 300 Park Avenue. The correspondence with staff, management agencies, union representatives, insurance claims, and others details vacation schedules, payroll information, taxes, union negotiations and agreements, job training, position responsibilities, sick days, retirements, and other employee matters. In addition to the correspondence, the union folders have enrollment forms, commercial building agreements, complaints by employees, and records of contributions to pension, annuity and health funds. Payroll statements beginning in 1951 provide weekly accounts of the hours worked, wage rate, earnings, deductions, union affiliations, and payments of individual employees. The insurance claims, for both disability and workers' compensation, have claim forms, medical records, accident reports, benefit information, bill and payment records, and notices of decisions. In the individual personnel files, there are vacation requests, wage increases, daily attendance records, tax documents, personal information, employment applications, licensing and certification processes, complaints, incident reports, union regulations, building procedures, and accounts of absences. Also included are unemployment insurance returns and information on payroll taxes from 1955 to 1989.

Alphabetical, then chronological

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Subseries 6.2. Correspondence

Primarily correspondence concerning the deal arranged to purchase the property, construction of the office building, business activities concerning to 300 Park Avenue, and everyday operations at the premises. Correspondence with the Knott Brothers, Webb & Knapp, Ivor B. Clark, Inc., lawyers, and the Urises explains the complicated acquisition and financing of the land that 300 Park Avenue eventually stood on. Once the property was obtained, letters between the residents in the existing apartment building and Uris representatives negotiated the disputes arising from the demolition plans. Related communications with the New York Rent Commission, lawyers, and the management company discuss the zoning regulations for use and occupancy, income generated by the apartment house, and relocation of tenants. After the settlement of matters surrounding the previous dwelling, the correspondence with Emery Roth & Sons, Architects and the New York Central Railroad System illustrates the design process for the new office building that necessitated consideration of the railroad's easement requirements and approvals. A limited amount of the materials in the subseries from subcontractors, manufacturing companies, Uris Brothers' staff, New York City officials, and other interested parties further describe the building's construction. Topics addressed include demolition work, architectural job specifications, building permits, installations, purchase orders, progress meetings, inspections, and payments for labor and materials.

Correspondence on the business activities involving 300 Park Avenue involves tenants, insurance, finances, corporate matters, employees, and other issues. Letters define the commitments made to the tenants in the leases and modification agreements for professional services and maintenance. Assorted memorandums deal with rent, negotiation of lease terms, alterations to premises, repairs, utilities, security, fire safety systems, inspections, tenant charges, and further responsibilities. Communications about insurance fall into two types, policy information and claims. Documents from Fox & Pier, Inc. and other firms list the terms of policies, recommendations for coverage, payment of premiums, and liability question. The insurance claims paperwork has forms, accident reports, notices, wage verifications, costs for repair of damaged property, lawsuits, settlement agreements, and supporting documentation. Claims were made for personal injury, wrongful death, and damage caused by construction, machinery breakdowns, fires, vehicles, leaks, weather, and a pipe bomb explosion in 1970. Correspondence on monetary matters covers investment accounts, building stock shares, taxes, audits, estimated income, appraisals, brokerage transactions, bank fees, balance sheets, and financial statements. There are also letters and meeting notes on the funding of the building in relation to mortgages, stock shares, building loans, agreements, refinancing, and payment of debts. Among the financial institutions represented by these records are Irving Trust Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Greenwich Savings Bank, Bankers Trust Company, Chemical Bank, Chemical Mortgage Company, Manhattan Savings Bank, and the Internal Revenue Service. Corporate papers, business certificates, Dun & Bradstreet reports, records from Harold Uris's estate, and office correspondence describe actions by the Uris organizations controlling the property. Communications about the employees detail staff changes, payroll, references, unemployment rules, workers compensation insurance, labor laws, state regulations, and union agreements. In addition to these documents on the business activities associated with 300 Park Avenue, there are publicity materials, news releases, subscriptions, and letters from real estate associations.

The subseries also has correspondence on the everyday operations of the office building, from the actions of the management company to the services provided to the tenants. Letters between Cross & Brown Company, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., Abrams Benisch Riker, Inc., and the Uris staff feature the management agent's duties. Under the agreements with the Urises, the activities of building management firms encompassed assessment of tenant charges, rent collection, leasing, payment of invoices for operating expenses, providing financial statements, handling tenant complaints, and related matters. Accompanying topics addressed in these missives include mortgage, property valuations, taxes, compliance with New York City ordinances, security, rent adjustments, employees, insurance, utilities, accidents, and upkeep of the premises. The correspondence, contracts, and invoices dealing with National Cleaning Contractors, Inc., Prudential Building Maintenance, New York Central Steam, Consolidated Edison, New York Telephone, Otis Elevators, Ben Harkavy, Landsdell Protective Agency, and Union Towel Supply chronicle the professional services offered to the commercial tenants. Subjects discussed include cleaning service, utilities, elevators, landscaping, fire safety, security, inspections, lighting, paper supplies, mall plantings, exterminating service, waste removal, holiday decorations, and tenant complaints. The rest of the correspondence focuses on the building structure itself. There are documents from architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturing companies, and government officials. They describe the repairs of damage, renovations, asbestos removal, replacement of equipment, painting, waterproofing, furnishings, and other improvements at 300 Park Avenue. In addition, there are contracts, supply quotes, purchase orders, invoices, disbursement orders, specifications, inspection reports, about the labor, materials, and work used for these maintenance activities.

Arrangement is alphabetical, then chronological

Contains six black and white photographs.

Contains two color photographs.

Contains six black and white and twenty four color photographs.

Separated to Roll UB_055: five diazo prints of Schedules "A", "B", "C", "M", 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., The Prudential Ins. Co. of America, 1949-1955.

Subseries 6.3. Financial Records

The series contains financial records about the corporate entities involved with the commercial property and the building itself. In the general sub-series, there are reports, correspondence, working papers, financial statements, accounting worksheets, invoices, forms, and related materials. These records contain information on tenants, building upkeep, custody accounts, securities transactions, and monthly analysis of the property. Monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements accompanied by supporting calculations illustrate the financial status of the building and its related corporations. They include balance sheets, reports, classified trial balances, accounting worksheets, notes, and memos about fiscal matters at 300 Park Avenue. The paid bills, 1952-1996, detail the expenses for both the construction of the building and its subsequent commercial operation. In the taxes sub-subseries, there are tax returns, correspondences, estimated payments, refunds, certificates, and supporting documentation for the city, state, and federal government. Bank statements, cancelled checks, deposit slips, and checkbook stubs from checking, custodian, and savings accounts managed by the corporate entities involved with the building comprise the final group of records.

Arrangement is by type

Park Avenue Offices, Inc. was the first corporate entity to construct and manage 300 Park Avenue. Then the Colcorn Company administered the property for a few years until Uris Holding Company was formed. In early 1996, the 300 Park Avenue, LLC became the final business organization to handle the building.

Comprised of reports, correspondence, working papers, financial statements, accounting worksheets, invoices, forms, and other fiscal records. The general fiscal operations are illustrated in working papers, budgets, completed securities transactions, custody account records, audits, ten year projections, cleaning service contracts, maintenance expenses, and related financial documents from the successive corporate entities. In the working papers, there are yearly balance sheets, statements of income and expenses, depreciation adjustments, insurance schedules, commission schedules, and related calculations. There are also tenant related materials such as escalation files, operating expenses, rent rolls, lease security deposit records, and sublease profit sharing. Escalation files for electricity, labor, and real estate taxes have calculations, interoffice memos, lease agreement information, and correspondence with tenants. The calculations of operating expenses and sublease profit sharing for specific tenants are documented, with detailed information on charges, lease agreements, adjustments, and bills. Additionally, the monthly analysis of agent's statements have itemized information on taxes, stocks, assets, rent, tenant charges, tenants, escalations, building' expenses for repairs, utilities, and maintenance.

Alphabetical, then chronological

Monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on the financial status of the building and its related corporations. Includes balance sheets, financial statements, classified trial balances, accounting worksheets, notes, and memos about fiscal matters. These statements detail assets, liabilities, capital stock, income, operating expenses, loans, accrued interest, mortgage expenditures, depreciation, tax deductions, commissions, payroll analysis, losses, and other disbursements. In addition, there are statements and estimates about the construction costs for the building project. These documents have information about contractor charges, architect fees, carrying costs, financing expenses, commissions, field extras, and related expenditures.

Chronological

Contains the paid bills associated with 300 Park Avenue, from the previous seventeen-story residential building through construction and subsequent operation. These bills were incurred by Park Avenue Offices, Inc., Colcorn Company, Uris Holding Company, and 300 Park Avenue LLC. From 1952 to 1981, the records are organized by calendar year. Starting in 1982, the bills are grouped by fiscal year until 1987 when it returns to calendar year. There are invoices from architects, lawyers, consultants, accountants, leasing agents, banking institutions, advertisers, designers, blue printers, and other professional services. These bills detail operating expenses and maintenance for the office building such as taxes, utilities, insurance, cleaning, plumbing, painting, landscaping, supplies, repairs, municipal fees, tenant alterations, organization membership dues, transportation, signage, petty cash, and other recurring outlays. Also included are records of transfers between Uris companies and corporations for office management fees, loans, charitable contributions, wages, withdrawals, bank transfers, and other income. Occasionally, an invoice contains charges for 380 Madison Avenue or members of the Uris family. A few folders of statements from the New York Central Railroad Company in 1954 are restricted until January 1, 2080 because they contain payroll information.

Chronological, then alphabetical

Restricted.

Tax returns, correspondences, estimated payments, refunds, certificates, and supporting documentation for the city, state, and federal government. There are returns for corporate income taxes, annual information, utilities, franchise taxes, real property gains, withholding, sales, landlord information, and city taxes. The correspondence with federal, state, and local departments as well as interoffice memorandums discusses tax return preparations, payments, audits, waivers, applications, liabilities, deductions, and related tax matters. Several files about real estate taxes provide information on assessments, appeals, refunds, bills, forms, tenant rebates, valuations, calculations, and legal documentation.

Alphabetical, then chronological by tax year

Monthly statements, cancelled checks, deposit slips, checkbook stubs, and a few other related records from the bank accounts associated with 300 Park Avenue. The accounts were with Irving Trust Company, Manufacturers Trust Company, Barclays Bank of New York, and the Bank of New York. As the corporate entities managing the building, Park Avenue Offices, Inc., Colcorn Company, Uris Holding Company, and 300 Park Avenue, LLC administered the accounts.

Chronological, then alphabetical

Subeseries 6.4. Construction

Documents related to the construction of the office building at 300 Park Avenue and the work performed in areas leased by Chemical Corn Exchange Bank and Colgate-Palmolive Company. The subseries contains correspondence, work orders, agreements, instructions to bidders, specifications, drawing transmittal sheets, worksheets, financial records, reports, proposals, contracts, schedules, drawings, and other materials. Within these documents, there are accounts of all aspects of the construction including the design by Emery Roth & Sons and general contracting by Uris Brothers, Inc. Subjects discussed include the HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lighting, telephone, television antenna, vertical conveyor systems as well as the installation of walls, roofing, windows, floors, ceilings, elevators, doors, store fronts, toilets, hardware, and signs. These documents also detail subcontractor's work on the acoustics, brick, cement finish, concrete slabs, fireproofing, glazing, granite, gunite, insulation, iron, marble, masonry, metal furring and lathing, ornamental metal, painting, plastering, steel, terrazzo, tile, Venetian blinds, waterproofing, woodwork, vault installation, lobby desk, and a plaque commemorating the Columbia School of Mines. In addition, these records illustrate the architectural plans, project status, expenditures, tenant specifications, alterations, problems with work, lease terms, delays, and related issues that arouse over the course of construction.

Arrangement is by tenant

Principally documents about the construction of the twenty -five-story office building at 300 Park Avenue. Uris Brothers, Inc. was engaged as the general contractor to erect the structure according to the plans and specifications prepared by Emery Roth & Sons. The sub-subseries contains correspondence, work orders, agreements, instructions to bidders, specifications, drawing transmittal sheets, worksheets, financial records, reports, schedules, drawings, and other materials. These documents describe the construction of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, lighting, telephone, vertical conveyor systems as well as the assembly of walls, roofing, windows, floors, ceilings, elevators, doors, store fronts, toilets, hardware, and signs. They detail subcontractor's work on the acoustics, brick, cement finish, concrete slabs, fireproofing, glazing, granite, gunite, insulation, iron, marble, masonry, metal furring and lathing, ornamental metal, painting, plastering, steel, terrazzo, tile, Venetian blinds, waterproofing, woodwork, and a plaque commemorating the Columbia School of Mines. In addition, there are records about the survey, demolition, and excavation of the existing residential property.

The correspondence involves the Uris Brothers, Inc. employees, architects at Emery Roth & Sons, consulting engineers, subcontractors, tenants, and others engaged in the building project. Subjects discussed include approval of architectural drawings, requests for bids, construction specifications, engineers' analysis, proposals submitted by subcontractors, time schedules, contract terms, supply quotations, equipment rentals, purchase orders, executed work, delivery of materials, insurance coverage, payment of invoices, and management issues. Tenants also address design alterations, efforts to meet their particular requirements, authorization of changes, distribution of costs, installations, complaints, and move in dates in their communications. The correspondence of Harold Uris, Marvin Rothenstein, Thomas W. Hays, and other Uris Brothers, Inc. staff further detail all aspects of construction, both large and small. It includes information about the project status, changes, finances, progress schedules, problems with construction, delays, negotiations, correction of problems, and specific work for various tenants. In addition, there are communications about the government regulations, inspections, notices, permits, certificates, and issued violations for the project.

Besides the correspondence, the sub-subseries has numerous types of work orders. These orders generally specify the part of structure requiring attention, applicable tenant, status of job at time of order, description of work to proceed with, costs, whether tenant agreed to pay for work, acceptor's approval, and further data. Acknowledgement of Orders issued by Uris Brothers Inc. to tenants for work they requested at premise at their cost and expense. These orders list the date, job, floor, details design modifications, changes to leased space, status of job, amount agreed to pay, and acceptance signatures. The extra orders were placed with subcontractors for additional work and detail the furnishing and installation of various materials. They include information on subcontractors, contractor, date, job, floor, tenant, work to be performed, labor and materials, contract terms, price adjustments, previous balance, new contract amount due, status of work, references to proposals, and approvals. Purchase orders from Uris Brothers, Inc. for materials and delivery includes the date, job, supplier's name, material ordered, price, terms, approval signatures. Receipts of work orders, transfer memos, supplementary change sheets, and other records also supply similar facts.

Other documents offer additional specifics about the office building's construction. Contracts, instructions to bidders, and job specifications illustrate the requirements from the architects for the specific work completed by contractors. Drawing transmittal sheets disclose the approval, changes, tenant requests, and understanding of the drawings. In the worksheets, there are calculations and measurements for various aspects of construction on a particular floor with notes on material costs, drawing numbers, and completion time. Financial records such as invoices, estimates, quotations, and accounting figures break down the expenditures on labor, materials, rent profits, outstanding balances, subcontractor credits, and the cost of overall project completion. Finally, there are daily reports on the work accomplished, lists of subcontractors, samples of materials, brochures, construction schedules, subcontractor job guarantees, diagrams, sketches, and a few other related records.

Additionally, there are files for certain tenants: Chandler's Restaurant, Henry J. Kaiser Co., Hotaling News Agency, the Jockey Club, and the Texaco Touring Center Store. Correspondence, financial records, proposals, transmittals, contracts, work orders, and drawings reveal how the commercial space was customized to suit their needs. Topics discussed include air conditioning, doors, wiring, lighting, glass, floors, marble, hardware, woodwork, plastering, concrete fill, painting, plumbing, signage, tile, walls, toilets, acoustics, and windows. The correspondence has descriptions of the work to be completed, discussions of the project with outside firms, changes to the design of the subject premises, the terms and conditions of tenant requested specifications, subcontractor installations, and other matters. Budgets, estimates, quotes, requisitions, invoices, credits, and other documents disclose the expenditures on these tenant areas.

Alphabetical, then chronological

Contains one black and white photograph.

Separated to Roll UB_065: one photostat of 13th Floor plan, American Home Magazine Corporation, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., [unidentified creator], 1955 Aug. 19.

Separated to Roll UB_043: two blueprints Transformer Vault Layout Under Sidewalk and Inside Property, 300 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc., Drawing No. UA-27697-3, 1953 December 18.

See also Demolition.