The building, as originally conceived, included a gym, swimming pool, music school and theater. It was financed by Mr and MrsArthur Curtiss James, at a cost of over $1 million. Initially the 16 stories of the building housed a music school, a pool and gymnasium, a library, clubhouses, workshops, offices, and two kitchens. These spaces were on the lower five floors of the building, and open to the public and settlement members. One floor housed the settlement workers, and the top nine floors were rented out as residences to provide income for the work of the settlement. The opening of the building was an event, widely covered in the newspapers of the day. The building, particularly its height and style, were intended to be seen as symbolic and inspiring: towering, modern, up to date, airy, clean and fireproof, its character representing the best in the character of the neighborhood. Today, the building hosts a diverse group of residences. Many are groups or organizations active in the community, such as The East Village Community Coalition, which has an office in the building. Though they were operational at one point, the swimming pool and gymnasium can no longer be used. Zoning for these facilities stipulated "community access," and the facilities cannot be modified to provide the disabled access mandated by law.
History
In the mid-1960s, a variety of unsanctioned community activities took place in the lower floors of the buildings. This led to a police raid and closure in 1969, despite which use of the space appears to have continued. Stories from this period include that the national headquarters of the Black Panthers was housed in the building, and that it was used as the setting for several pornographic films. The city sold the property for $62,500 in 1975. By 1986 the building had been sold numerous times, and finally began to be converted into condominiums. For many area residents, this was the first sign of gentrification. On March 20, 1986, Christodora House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The August 7, 1988 Tompkins Square Park Riot, provoked partially by the area's gentrification, spilled over into Christodora House. Rioters chanted "Die Yuppie Scum" in reference to the supposed "yuppie scum" residents of the building. The front doors were smashed and rioters ransacked the lobby of the building.
