[2] The Silk Building was designed by Clinton & Russel Architects in the Italian Renaissance style.
[3] The building was initially constructed to be a factory space for workers producing silk garments.
[5] He developed it into a condominium-style building with retail spaces, designed by Beyer Blinder Belle.
[3] An important event for the whole neighborhood was the leasing of the Silk Building's entire retail spaces to Tower Records in 1983.
He lived a secluded life and rarely left the building till late at night to avoid fans.
[8] The Silk Building was the New York home of both the writer Bret Easton Ellis and of the main character of his novel Imperial Bedrooms.