John J. Knight (1887-1952)

Name

Knight, John J.

Personal Information

Birth/Death:     b. 24 January 1887 - d. 1952
Occupation:    American architect
Location:    New York, NY

AIA Affiliation

Member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 1930-1935

Biographical Sources

Biographical note:
Contributed by Jonathan A. Chase in 2011:
     John J. Knight was my mother's father. He was associated with Robert D. Kohn for 38 years (1914-1952); in fact, I am not aware of any other firm in which he ever practiced, from the time he was an architecture student at Columbia until his death in 1952. The only professional address which I have ever had for Robert D. Kohn, Charles Butler and John J. Knight was 56 West 45th Street, NYC.
As to particular projects, I have been told that my grandfather did extensive work on the Macy's account, including on the main store at Herald Square (34th & Broadway) and particularly the then-new store in Jamaica, which I always heard was my grandfather's "baby." (See Joseph Masheck, "Macy's Jamaica (1947): An Unsung Modernist Masterwork in Queens," The Brooklyn Rail, Sept. 2007, http://www.brooklynrail.org/2007/09/art/macys) The Jamaica store was notable for its breakthrough use of rooftop parking. It was featured in Architectural Record (Oct. 1947, p. 16) and Architectural Forum (Feb. 1948, pp. 100-104).
There also is evidence that my grandfather worked with Mr. Kohn on the former Newsweek building at 444 Madison Ave (see The City Review article "444 Madison Avenue", http://www.thecityreview.com/mad444.html).
Estate papers in my possession reveal that, at the time of his death, my grandfather was working on the Fred M. Stein Memorial wing of "Altro Work Shops" on Jennings Ave in the Bronx, which I understand was part of or came to be known as Altro Health & Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (An image held by Lehman College Library, CUNY, may be viewed online through Digital Metro New York http://cdm128401.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/lc&CISOPTR=143&CISOBOX=1&REC=1)

Related Records

Partner of Robert D. Kohn

Archival Holdings

The American Institute of Architects Archives
      Membership file contains membership application and termination.

Publications