Michael J. Garvin
| Michael John Garvin | |
|---|---|
Michael J. Garvin in 1905
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| Born |
January 31, 1861 Bronx, New York, United States |
| Died | September 3, 1918 (aged 57) Bronx, New York, United States |
| Occupation | Architect |
Michael John Garvin, also known as Michael J. Garvin and M. J. Garvin (1861-1918), was an American architect from Bronx, New York. A graduate of Manhattan College, he served as the first Building Commissioner of the borough (1897-1903) and its first Under Sheriff. With the placement of the influential IRT Third Avenue Elevated train, Garvin was immersed in designing many surrounding structures during the borough's increasing growth at the turn of the 20th Century. Of his architectural contributions the Haffen Building; the Fire House, Hook and Ladder 17; and the Bronx Borough Courthouse have all become New York City landmarks while the latter a US National Historic Place.
Michael J. Garvin was born on January 31, 1861 at Grove Hill, Morrisania (Bronx), New York. Son of Patrick and Ann Garvin, natives of Ireland, he was a lifelong resident of the city. He attended the borough public schools and went on to graduate from Manhattan College, which was then located in Manhattanville. After leaving school, in 1884 he studied under architect August Schmidt. He, then for a long time, was an apprentice with Joseph M. Dunn, who had been with Renwick & Sands, architects of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Progressively, he ventured on his own to design and establish a successful architectural and civil engineering office at 3307 Third Avenue. During this period, by September, 1894, he married Miss Catherine Cronk and had two sons.
As the IRT Third Avenue Elevated Train was being constructed in Bronx in 1897, and New York City consolidated in 1898, there was an enormous growth of population and financial investment. New homes were built in high demand. Garvin, as well as several contemporary architects, designed single-family town houses, multistory apartment homes, and various business or manufacturing establishments. The borough was a prosperous place and Garvin became a well respected architect among the borough's civic leaders, joining the Property Owners' Association of the Twenty-third Ward (Morrisania).
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