New-York tribune., 1922-08-06

There are zoo hospitals In greater
New York. In addition to these are
scores of clinics and sanatoriums. The
latest step in the movement for bet
ter medical facilities is the construc-
tion of buildings especially designed
in other lines of the medical profess
sion. This movement made its ap-
pearance about ten years ago. 1t came
as result of efforts by builders of
fine apartment houses to solve the
problem of utilizing the street floor
space in their buildings. This space
could not be rented for living purposes,
neither could it be allowed to be
financially unproductive.
The plan was then hit upon of pre-
pairing this first or street floor space
of apartment buildings as offices for
physicians. Of course this was an ex-
previous to that time had been in the
habit Of establishing their consulta-
tion rooms on the lower floors of apart
ment buildings. But until then no
special effort had been made to pre-
pare this space for physicians.
How Movement Got Started
The Professional Building, at the
northwest corner of Madison Avenue
and Thirty eighth Street, was really
the first building specially constructed
for the medical profession in this city
This Improvement was not premedi-
tated, being nothing more than a solu-
t'on OF an exlgency. 1t will be re-
nembered that Murray Hill residents
bought this property to prevent the
completion of a building that was to
be carried far into the sky and, when
completed, rented out in offices. The
steel skeleton was two stories high
when the purpose Of the building was
discovered, the original plan being the
Improvement of the corner with a
small apartment house
In order to utilize the steel frame
1t was decided to inclose it in man
ner that would not detract from the
residential atmosphere of the section
and to rent it only to physicians and
oenusts. SO this was the start of
what is to-day one of the most in
teresting if not important develop-
ments in medical New York.
Following the Murray Hill improve
ment came the physicians building in
East Forty-frst Street, ten-storv
structure. The old Sydenham apart
ment, at the northwest corner of Madi-
son Avenue and Fifty-eighth Street
was the next building to be taken by
physicians. Its success influenced the
passage Of several other structures of
more or less Importance into the
hands OF administrants to sick humanity
among these were the apartment at
10 East Forty eighth Street and the
ilght brown colored stucco faced build
ing at the southwest corner of Madi-
son Avenue and Forty-eighth Street.
Miniature Hospitals Now Being Planned
1t IS only recently, however, that
real steps have been taken in building
especially for doctors. Shortage OF
accommodation favorable for use by
medical men and the height rentals
had reached developed the idea that
IL would be cheaper to buy or rent
property and develop it. A number of
Leading physicians have formed syndi-
Gates and bought buildings which
they have altered or rebuilt.
According to Robert J. Kelley. archi-
tect, of 477 Fifth Avenue, who has de-
signed many hospitals in this section
of the country, there is no difference,
except in magnitude, between the great
hospitals of the city and the special
medical centers which are now being
designed. Every one is q small sized
hospital complete in every detail. In
time of stress they could be called
upon to augment the hospital service
of the city.
Several months ago the alteration O.,
the old Ladew house, at the northeast
corner of Madison Avenue and Sixty
eighth Street, was completed for a
group of specialists on the staff of st.
Luke,s Hospital, among them being
Drs Bastedo, H. H. NJ, Lyle, H. S. Dun
ming, George Draper and A. Voislow
sky. 1t was one of the fine old struc-
lures of the section The alteration
has preserved the beauty of the old
architecture, but has practically re-
built the interior. The various floors
of this building have teen laid out by
Mr.. Kelley so as to facilitate the work
of the various specialists. For in
stance, DR.. Bastedo is stomach spe-
cialist, DR.. Lyle is a surgeon, DR.. DIM
ming operates on the face and jaw, DR..
Draper's floor has unusually complete
laboratory facilities and DR.. Voislow
sky Is an expert on the throat and ear.
On the roof is squash court. where
the doctors relax from the nervous ten
sion of their callings. The war gave
great impetus to this idea of the group
ing of the various specialists in one
building because the physicians them