The architecture of James E. Ware, alive and well, in Millbrook

MILLBROOK — James E. Ware was well known for his architectural style in New York City. After all, he was the one who designed the Osborne Hotel, which at the time was the tallest building in Manhattan. He used elevators, which was rare in those days. He began his practice in 1869.

He also designed the Twelfth Regiment Armory on Columbus Avenue and was responsible for the “dumbbell” design of tenement housing. The first two fireproof warehouses in the city were also designed by Ware.

Patrick D. Wing was asked to speak about Ware at the April 20 Millbrook Historical Society meeting, as a great many village buildings were designed by Ware.

Wing showed photos of edifices designed by Ware, some still standing today, on Main and Front streets, Franklin, Maple and Merritt avenues. Although he designed many houses on the same street, each house was different. None was a cookie cutter image of another. While some have since been torn down, others have been lovingly refurbished and cared for.

Wing also spoke about the contributions made by Italian stone masons, who were builders, architects and residents themselves. He mentioned in particular the name Ciferri, still known today. 

Besides private homes, Ware also designed large mansions and commercial buildings. Through connections in the city, especially around Madison Avenue, he became acquainted with Henry James Davison, a successful lawyer who built his own mansion. 

Wing said the now decrepit Halcyon Hall, originally built as a resort by several investors, was most likely built because Davison wanted to draw the wealthy to Millbrook. The village was far from the beaten path for most, though, and the resort failed. It was later sold and became Bennett College. The hall remained after the college failed,  and still stands.

Ware also met Charles Dieterich, a founder of Union Carbide. He designed Daheim Castle for Dieterich, which later became known as the Hitchcock Estate — infamous as the estate where the psychedelic Timothy Leary lived from 1963 until he was evicted in 1968. It was popular among hippies and became a steady site of drug raids. Leary eventually moved to California, but the gatehouse still stands at the juncture at Franklin Avenue and Route 44. The estate is privately owned.

Ware’s early work featured many castle-like touches: parapets, towers and stained glass. He worked with some of the most famous artists of the day, including Louis Tiffany and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. He was influenced by French and Italian styles, but also occasionally by styles like Queen Anne, Roman, Colonial and arts and crafts.

Walt Disney, Wing said, was well aware of Ware’s work and acknowledged he had Ware in mind when he created his theme parks.

Ware designed Altamont for John Wing, a successful local Quaker, who made his money in the soda ash business. This came about, according to Wing, because Davison didn’t want to be the only wealthy estate baron in Millbrook. He convinced Dieterich and some others to build on the hills in Millbrook. Thus the “hilltoppers” were born. As evidence of their great wealth, many had bowling alleys, tennis courts, magnificent stained glass, marble and other special features at their estates.

One Ware building still used every day is central to the village of Millbrook. Donated by the Thorne family, and designed by Ware, the building was originally the YMCA, at the juncture of Friendly Lane and Merritt Avenue. It is now Village Hall. 

Wing’s book, “Town and Country: the Architecture of James E. Ware,” is expected to be released this time next year. It contains two chapters devoted entirely to Ware and his contributions to Millbrook. 

Wing, a fine art artist, is from Millbrook. His work, shown throughout the U.S., is in private collections nationwide and has been sold through Sotheby’s.