"A side project of the richest man in Brooklyn in the 19th century, the Morris Building Company developed some of the borough's most artistic and important buildings. Notable examples include English Arts and Crafts-style row houses, worker housing ahead of its time, and most of the original Pratt Institute buildings. At turns whimsical and utopian, with quality always foremost, the designs were the fruit of longtime partnerships with some of the most talented architects of the day."
"Most municipalities have one building that is the headquarters for that municipality's government. Whether you have a mayor or town supervisor or some other official in charge, well, that's where they hang their hat. Some cities and towns have impressive 18th and 19th century city halls designed by important local architects, while others have more modest and utilitarian buildings or spaces."
"Many of the great museums of the world started out as the private collections of very wealthy people. New York's Guggenheim, the Frick, the Morgan Library and London's Tate Modern are examples, to name just a few. Manhattan's Metropolitan Museum of Art was the brainchild of a group of wealthy Americans meeting in Paris in 1866. They wanted to establish "a national institution and gallery of art." They came back to New York and incorporated in 1870."
Charles Pratt's Morris Building Company produced some of Brooklyn's most artistic and important buildings, including English Arts and Crafts–style row houses, progressive worker housing, and many original Pratt Institute structures. The designs combined whimsy and utopian ideals with an emphasis on quality and were realized through long partnerships with prominent architects. Brooklyn Borough Hall evolved from modest beginnings into the current civic building after years of struggle and narrowly avoided demolition as the surrounding city changed. Brooklyn's first free library transitioned into the Brooklyn Museum. Many major museums began as private collections and grew from wealthy collectors and civic initiatives.
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