81 Bedford Street

also 79 Bedford Street | West Village | built 1953

The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.

Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.

1953
A CIA surveillance apartment where guests are given LSD opens at 81 Bedford Street
In 1953 the CIA took an apartment at 81 Bedford Street, leased under the name Morgan Hall, a cover identity for narcotics agent George Hunter White. White fitted it with two-way mirrors and recording equipment, then posed as an artist and sailor to invite people back for parties where they were given LSD, sometimes without their consent, while their reactions were observed. The apartment was part of what became known as Operation Midnight Climax.
“…the CIA rented an apartment at 81 Bedford Street in New York City's Greenwich Village... The lease was under the name Morgan Hall, which was a cover identity for White.”
Source: Wikipedia
1953
Schuman & Lichtenstein design a six-story apartment house for a Commerce Street corporation
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The six-story brick apartment house at 81 Bedford Street, which also takes in 67-69 Barrow Street and 31-33 Commerce Street, was designed by Schuman & Lichtenstein and put up in 1952-53. Its owner was the 31-33 Commerce Street Corporation. The designation report calls it simple, with its only decoration a row of header bricks laid in every sixth course.
“…designed by Schuman & Lichtenstein for the 31-33 Commerce Street Corporation and erected in 1952-53. The only decorative accent is to be found in the brickwork…”
Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

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