[1] Russell M. Boak and Hyman F. Paris left the architectural firm of Emery Roth to start their own practice in 1927.

[5] And they chose to work with architect Robert T. Lyons on 2 Horatio Street.

[7] He said his goal was to "recreate the entire district as a modern counterpart of the high-class residential section it once was" saying it would "rival Central Park West and the fashionable east side within a few years."

He cited the goal of neighborhood reinvention as the reason for the simultaneous building, saying his hope was that "complete transformation of the section may be achieved as quickly as possible.

"[7] Also, in more practical terms, he mentioned the "imminent" IND Eighth Avenue Line, and recent completion of the West Side Elevated Highway and even the Holland Tunnel as increasing accessibility to—and demand for—the area.