Percy and Harold D. Uris papers, 1901-2003

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Series 1. Percy Uris, 1901-1984, undated

About 18,800 items (26.7 linear feet)

Arranged by type

Percy Uris was born on August 19, 1899 to Harris Uris and Sadie (Copland) Uris at 1517 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York. Percy attended Townsend Harris Hall, a school designed for advanced students on an accelerated curriculum. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Columbia University. Upon graduating in 1920, Percy joined his father in real estate development. With his brother Harold, Percy Uris became a profitable investment builder in New York City. Percy handled the financial side of the business, including the purchase of properties, negotiation of loans, sale of parcels, assembly of plots, financing, rental pricing, and calculation of profits. In addition to being a successful businessman, he was a competitive golfer, bridge player, and generous donor to several charitable organizations. Percy Uris was actively involved with his alma mater, Columbia University, and bestowed significant contributions on this and other educational institutions. At Columbia, Percy served as a Trustee of the University, special advisor to the President for new construction, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was also a member of the Advisory Council of the Graduate School of Business, Columbia Business Associates, the Joint Administrative Board of Columbia University and Presbyterian Hospital, and various other alumni associations. The construction of Uris Hall, home to the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, was in large part funded by a $3 million donation from the Uris brothers. Percy and his wife Joanne raised two daughters, Julia and Lynda. Percy Uris died on November 20, 1971 at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

Series 2. Joanne Uris Papers, 1934-1988

About 3,800 items (6.75 linear feet)

The series has correspondence, financial records, estate papers, and employee files about Joanne Uris. In the correspondence, there are discussions of her personal affairs and surroundings. Her personal finances, including assets, expenditures, taxes, are detailed in the bank accounts, bills, tax returns, and other fiscal documents. The papers concerning the disposition of her estate describe the execution of the will, settlement of estate expenses, asset distribution, and other legal issues. Also included are the insurance, payroll, and tax records related to the private employees of Joanne Uris and her subsequent estate.

Arranged by type

Joanne Uris was born on October 4, 1900 in Canada, the daughter of Peter and Josephine Diotte. Joanne had a brother, Albert Diotte and a sister, Mrs. Benj. Gibson (Jeannette). Prior to her marriage to Percy Uris on March 20, 1935, she worked as a model. Percy and Joanne raised two daughters, Julia and Lynda. She was an active golfer who often won local tournaments and championships. Joanne Uris died on March 9, 1985 at Broadhollow Estate, her home in Brookville, New York.

Series 3. Harold D. Uris Descriptions, 1934-1995

About 8,300 items (12.325 linear feet)

The series has correspondence, financial records, legal documents, estate papers, and domestic employee files generated by Harold D. Uris. In the correspondence, there is a mixture of professional and personal communications as well as photographs, press clippings, medical papers, and other materials. The correspondence is between Harold D. Uris and colleagues, family members, friends, business associates, politicians, and other individuals. The business correspondence describes Harold Uris's real estate development activities, membership in professional associations and committees, requests for employment assistance, building maintenance, tax preparation, and other administrative matters. In the personal correspondence with family and friends, the letters discuss leisure activities, residences in Florida, artwork, invitations, thank you notes, and best wishes. In additional to this correspondence, there are communications regarding charitable contributions to various public and private organizations. The financial records are comprised of investment account information, invoices, tax documents, bank statements, and ledgers. In the investment account files, there are reports, statements, correspondence, and other supporting documentation of Harold Uris's investments. The tax information concerns both income and gift tax returns for the Urises along with estimated payments, deductions, and accounting work sheets. Paid invoices, monthly bank statements, and bound ledgers give details about private expenditures and receipts. In legal papers, there are powers of attorney, stock certificates, wills, tax disputes, and other legal materials. The estate records document the management of Harold D. Uris's estate, including financial statements, correspondence, agreements, mortgage loan papers, and materials regarding the establishment of the Uris Education Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Also included are employee files, tax documents, and unemployment insurance information about the Uris household employees.

Arranged by type

Harold David Uris was the fourth child of Harris and Sadie Uris, born on May 26, 1905 in New York City. Harold Uris earned a degree in civil engineering from Cornell University and went to work with his elder brother Percy in real estate development. Harold was primarily involved with the construction operations for the Uris companies. He was an active philanthropist and served as a trustee for Cornell University, the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, the City Center for Music and Drama, Lenox Hill Hospital, the New York Building Congress, and the New York Committee of the American Cancer Society. Harold married Ruth Chinitz on July 14, 1935 and they raised four daughters: Judith Haber, Susan Halpern, Linda Sanger, and Jane Bayard. Harold Uris died March 28, 1982 in at St. Mary's Hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.

Series 4. Ruth Uris Papers, 1954-1997

About 4,100 items (6.25 linear feet)

The series has correspondence, financial records, employee payroll information, and other papers related to Ruth Uris. In the correspondence subseries, there are materials describing Mrs. Uris's personal interests, finances, and residential activities. The financial records detail her investments, individual expenses, tax issues, and other fiscal matters. Payroll tax records and related documents have to do with domestic staff under her employ. In addition, there are legal documents, insurance papers, and correspondence about her estate.

Arranged by type

Ruth Chinitz Uris was born on June 23, 1909 in Manhattan, the daughter of Aaron and Rose (Sadowsky) Chinitz. Ruth attended Smith College and married Harold D. Uris on July 14, 1935. She had four daughters: Judith Haber, Susan Halpern, Linda Sanger, and Jane Bayard and eight grandchildren. Ruth served as chairwoman of the Uris Brothers Foundation and continued the philanthropic endeavors of her husband, Harold. Ruth Uris died on March 19, 1996 in New York City.

Series 5. 380 Madison Avenue, 1949-1996

About 54,100 items (76.95 linear feet and 21 rolls)

The series has administrative records, correspondence, financial records, construction files, and drawings. These documents portray the both the creation and subsequent commercial operation of 380 Madison Avenue by three successive corporate entities. The first was Uris Building, Inc., then Uris 380 Madison Corporation, and finally 380 Madison Uris Avenue, LLC. Within the administrative records, there are tenant files, Cross & Brown property statements, subject files, mortgage and loan records, and employee related files. The correspondence deals with the building management, financial matters, provided services, insurance, structure maintenance, corporate issues, and other business activities. In the financial records, there are general files, financial statements, paid bills, and bank account materials about fiscal matters. Both the construction records and drawings illustrate the building's design by Emery Roth & Sons and modification for tenants.

Arranged by type

The 25 story office building with a five level garage stands on the block-front on the west side of Madison Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets. It was erected on the former site of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel after the property was acquired from City Bank Farmers Trust Company, trustee of the William Waldorf Astor Estate. Construction began in 1950 to execute the design by Emery Roth & Sons and most the commercial space was leased before completion. Among the prominent tenants were Irving Trust Company, Caltex Petroleum Corporation, Cities Services Company (formerly Columbia Carbon Company), Frank G. Shattuck Company, General American Transportation Corporation, Hercules Incorporated (formerly Hercules Powder Company), Richard A. Eisner & Company, Philip Morris Incorporated (formerly American Safety Razor Corporation), Binney & Smith, Inc., and Charles W. Hoyt Company, Inc. When most of the Uris buildings were incorporated in 1960, this building remained in under the family's private ownership. It was sold in the late 1980s to Howard P. Ronson of HRO International Ltd. and subsequently purchased by Barclay Brothers in 1991.

Series 6. 300 Park Avenue, 1942-1999

About 70,900 items (101.5 linear feet and 38 rolls)

This series contains administrative records, correspondence, financial records, construction files, and drawings. The documents generated by the four successive corporate entities managing the commercial property represent the initial project planning stages through the next forty years of operation. Park Avenue Offices, Inc. was the first administrative corporation, followed by Colcorn Company, Uris Holding Company, and finally 300 Park Avenue, LLC. Within the administrative records, there are tenant files, monthly property statements, subject files, mortgage and loan records, and employee related files for the property. Correspondence details 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. In the financial records, there are general files, financial statements, paid bills, and bank account materials about fiscal matters. Both the construction records and drawings illustrate the building's design by Emery Roth & Sons and modification for tenants.

Arranged by type

Built on part of the site of Columbia University's campus from 1857-1897, the twenty-five-story office building is located on the western side of Park Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. The property was obtained in 1951 through an exchange with Webb & Knapp, the Court Square Building at 2 Lafayette Street for the 300 Park Avenue residential building and two adjoining properties. They also leased the air rights from New York Central (Railroad) System for this structure. After two years of negotiations, the tenants agreed to leave the seventeen-story apartment house and construction began with Emery Roth & Sons serving as architects. Completed in 1955, it is often referred to as the Colgate-Palmolive Building after one of its primary tenants. Other prominent firms leasing space were Barclays Bank of New York (formerly Chemical Corn Exchange Bank), Cerro Corporation, Proskauer, Rose, Goetz & Mendelsohn, Kaiser Services (formerly Henry J. Kaiser Company), Phelps Dodge Corporation, Crane Co., Galow Restaurant, Inc. (formerly Chandler's Restaurant, Inc.), and West Merchant Bank Ltd. When most of the Uris buildings were incorporated in 1960, this building remained in under the family's private ownership. It was purchased in 1999 by Tishman Speyer Properties from the Uris estate and subsequently renovated.

Series 7. Other Uris Properties, 1927-1996, undated

About 12,7000 items (19 linear feet)

This series contains the records of Uris Brothers properties that were sold before the incorporation in 1960 or were held privately by the family outside of the Uris Buildings Corporation. Residential apartment buildings, hotels, and commercial real estate projects are all represented in these documents. The series includes correspondence, management reports, legal papers, leases, mortgage agreements related to the purchase, financing, construction, and business operations of these properties. Also included are financial records, photographs, architect's renderings, plans, and other papers pertaining to the properties and the Urises overall real estate development. In addition, there are volumes of the Select Register of Apartment House Plans for New York's East Side as well as documents about few properties that can not be linked to the Uris Brothers business ventures.

Arranged alphabetically by building

Series 8. Uris Buildings Corporation, 1953-1989, undated

About 2,500 items (3.5 linear feet)

The series contains limited information about the publicly held corporation and its real estate holdings. Included are the corporate records, financial records, correspondence, and other papers regarding the formation and operations of the firm. There are also records for the individual buildings constructed and owned by the Uris Buildings Corporation. These records consist primarily of leases, publicity materials, photographs, tenant correspondence, and financial reports.

Arrangement is arranged by type

According to the corporate records, Uris Buildings Corporation was organized on March 7, 1960 for the purpose of acquiring from Percy Uris, Harold D. Uris, and their associates all the outstanding capital stock of nine corporations. These corporations either owned completed office buildings, were constructing office buildings, or owned land upon which office buildings were being built. The Uris brothers retained private ownership of the corporations operating four buildings: 380 Madison Avenue, 300 Park Avenue, 485 Lexington Avenue, and 750 Third Avenue. The certificate of incorporation of Uris Brothers Corporation was filed March 7, 1960 at the Department of State of the State of New York and the firm's by-laws were adopted on March 11, 1960. Quoting an annual report, Architectural Forum noted that the corporation's main objective was the "creation of equities by the construction of efficient and desirable buildings in prime locations" [Architectural Forum 7/1962]. Uris Buildings Corporation continued to grow throughout the 1960s and by the end of the decade was a prominent, public owned investment builder. In 1973, Harold Uris sold the family's interest to National Kinney Corporation. As a result of the subsequent declining real estate market, the package of eight Uris properties was sold to Olympia & York Developments, Ltd. in 1977.

Series 9. Uris Corporations (Private), 1930-1976

About 5,100 items (7.35 linear feet)

Comprised of the documents generated by corporations not specifically related to a single Uris building. These corporation records include correspondence, financial documents, certificates, legal papers, and other materials regarding business operations. It also contains the construction records, including photographs, for various building projects completed by the Uris Brothers from 1920s into the 1960s.

Arrangement is arranged alphabeticaly by company name

Series 10. Uris Brothers Foundation, 1952-2003

About 5,900 items (10.12 linear feet)

The series contains administrative records, correspondence, and financial records generated by the Uris Brothers Foundation. These documents describe the philanthropic activities of the foundation and administrative operations as well as its interaction with various charitable organizations. Responses to requests for funding, contribution vouchers, fiscal reports, and other information are included.

Arranged by type

Percy and Harold D. Uris established the Uris Brothers Foundation in 1956 to handle their philanthropic endeavors. The foundation awarded grants to educational institutions, hospitals, museums, religious organizations, community groups, and other charitable associations based primarily in New York City. The Uris brothers' alma maters, Columbia University and Cornell University, each received numerous gifts from the foundation and have buildings named after the family.

Series 11. Other Materials, 1952-1997

About 6,700 items (10.28 linear feet)

In general, the papers in this series were either associated with multiple corporate entities or could not be matched with a specific building. The series contains administrative records, correspondence, legal documents, and financial records generated by the various businesses, buildings, and other interests operated by the Uris brothers.

Arranged by type

Collection Overview

Collection Contents

Percy and Harold D. Uris papers, 1901-2003

Series 1. Percy Uris, 1901-1984, undated

Subseries 1.1. Correspondence, 1901-1972, undated, About 13,500 items (19.25 linear feet)

Subseries 1.2. Financial Records, 1930-1971, About 4,300 items (6.1 linear feet)

Subseries 1.3. Estate Records, 1935-1984, undated, About 1,000 items (1.35 linear feet)

Series 2. Joanne Uris Papers, 1934-1988

Subseries 2.1. Correspondence, 1934-1985, About 800 items (1.085 linear feet)

Subseries 2.2. Financial Records, 1953-1985, About 1,300 items (1.75 linear feet)

Subseries 2.3. Estate Records, 1975-1988, undated, About 1,700 items (2.5 linear feet)

Series 2.4. Employee and Payroll Records, 1959-1987, About 1,100 items (1.375 linear feet)

Series 3. Harold D. Uris Descriptions, 1934-1995

Subseries 3.1. Correspondence, 1938-1982, About 1,700 items (2.45 linear feet)

Series 3.2. Financial Records, 1934-1982, About 5,600 items (8.5 linear feet)

Subseries 3.3. Legal Documents, 1950-1981, About 200 items (0.35 linear feet)

Subseries 3.4. Estate Records, 1981-1995, About 500 items (0.65 linear feet)

Subseries 3.5. Employee and Payroll Records, 1958-1982, About 300 items (0.375 linear feet)

Series 4. Ruth Uris Papers, 1954-1997

Subseries 4.1. Correspondence, 1953-1997, About 1,100 items (1.65 linear feet)

Subseries 4.2. Financial Records, 1975-1996, About 2,800 items (4.35 linear feet)

Subseries 4.3. Employee and Payroll Records, 1986-1996, About 200 items (0.25 linear feet)

Series 5. 380 Madison Avenue, 1949-1996

Subseries 5.1. Administrative Records, 1949-1996, About 33,000 items (47.3 linear feet)

Series 5.2. Correspondence, 1950-1995, About 1,100 items (1.625 linear feet)

Series 5.3. Financial Records, 1950-1996, About 17,100 items (24.475 linear feet)

Subseries 5.4. Construction, 1950-1957, About 2,500 items (3.55 linear feet)

Subseries 5.5. Drawings, 1950-1996, 454 items (26 rolls: 209 blueprints; 225 diazo prints; 6 photostats; 6 negative photostats; 7 printed papers; 1 graphite on trace)

Series 6. 300 Park Avenue, 1942-1999

Subseries 6.1. Administrative Records, 1942-1999, About 42,100 items (61.225 linear feet)

Subseries 6.2. Correspondence, 1948-1999, About 4,200 items (6.08 linear feet)

Subseries 6.3. Financial Records, 1942-1998, About 13,600 items (19.605 linear feet)

Subeseries 6.4. Construction, 1950-1957, About 10,300 items (14.625 linear feet)

Subeseries 6.5. Drawings, 1945-1986, 702 items (38 rolls: 266 blueprints; 401 diazo prints; 13 photostats; 11 negative photostats; 8 printed papers; 3 graphite on tissue)

Series 7. Other Uris Properties, 1927-1996, undated

Subseries 7.1. One University Place, 1947-1956, Three items (2 folders)

Subseries 7.2. Two Sutton Place South, 1948, undated, 15 items (1 folder)

Subseries 7.3. 45 East 49th Street, 1952-1996, undated, About 700 items (1 linear foot)

Subseries 7.4. 48 East 50th Street, 1948-1961, About 300 items (0.48 linear feet)

Subseries 7.5. 49 East 49th Street, 1952-1954, About 100 items (0.15 linear feet)

Subseries 7.6. 485 Lexington Avenue, 1951-1973, undated, About 1,400 items (1.95 linear feet)

Subseries 7.7. 488 Madison Avenue, 1948-1967, undated, About 200 items (0.25 linear feet)

Subseries 7.8. 505 Park Avenue, 1948, 6 items (2 folders)

Subseries 7.9. 575 Madison Avenue, 1949-1950, undated, 40 items (3 folders)

Subseries 7.10. 750 Third Avenue, 1956-1974, About 1,000 items (1.35 linear feet)

Subseries 7.11. 880 Fifth Avenue, 1947-1957, undated, 22 items (0.08 linear feet)

Subseries 7.12. Copland Garage, 1950-1979, About 6,100 items (8.75 linear feet)

Subseries 7.13. Court Square Building, 1930-1952, About 1,000 items (1.375 linear feet)

Subseries 7.14. The Fairgrounds Shopping Center, Ithaca, New York, 1964-1979, undated, About 400 items (0.58 linear feet)

Subseries 7.15. Toms River Properties, N.J., 1953-1976, undated, About 1,400 items (2.05 linear feet)

Subseries 7.16. Select Register of Apartment House Plans, circa 1928, 2 items (0.85 linear feet)

Subseries 7.17. Unrelated Properties, 1927-1976, 12 items (0.125 linear feet)

Series 8. Uris Buildings Corporation, 1953-1989, undated

Subseries 8.1. Administrative Files, 1960-1973, undated, About 1,000 items (1.375 linear feet)

Subseries 8.2. Individual Building Records, 1953-1989, undated, About 1,500 items (2.125 linear feet)

Series 9. Uris Corporations (Private), 1930-1976

Subseries 9.1. Bittersweet Equities Inc., 1973-1976, About 100 items (0.20 linear feet)

Subseries 9.2. Bofree Realty Corporation, 1954, 4 items (1 folder)

Subseries 9.3. C. B. Ross Company, Inc., 1940s, 3 items (3 folders)

Subseries 9.4. Park Avenue Properties, Inc., 1947-1967, About 400 items (0.65 linear feet)

Subseries 9.5. Uris Brothers, Inc., 1930-1973, About 4,200 items (5.9 linear feet)

Subseries 9.6. Uris Properties Inc., 1948-1967, About 400 items (0.6 linear feet)

Series 10. Uris Brothers Foundation, 1952-2003

Subseries 10.1. Administrative Records, 1956-1998, 7 items (1.05 linear feet)

Subseries 10.2. Correspondence, 1952-2003, About 4,100 items (5.875 linear feet)

Subseries 10.3. Financial Records, 1961-1997, About 1,800 items (3.195 linear feet)

Series 11. Other Materials, 1952-1997

Subseries 11.1. Administrative Records, 1953-1996, About 1,400 items (2.6 linear feet)

Subseries 11.2. Milton Copland, 1957-1987, About 2,400 items (3.4 linear feet)

Subseries 11.3. National Cleaning Contractors, Inc., 1956-1988, About 800 items (1.2 linear feet)

Subseries 11.4. Financial Records, 1952-1997, About 2,100 items (3.08 linear feet)