Harry B. Mulliken

Who was Harry B. Mulliken?

Harry B. Mulliken was an early twentieth-century American architect and developer who built many of his works in New York City, NY. Mulliken’s apartment and hotel buildings are remarkable for their Beaux-Arts-style and broad use of architectural terra cotta set around flat, and often red, brick.

Born in Sterling, Illinois in 1872, Mulliken graduated from Columbia University's School of Arts with a Bachelor of Philosophy, course in Architecture, in 1895. He graduated with his future partner, Edgar J. Moeller, although their formal partnership did not begin for another seven years.

In a passport application submitted in 1894 as a student from New York City, Mulliken listed his permanent residence as Detroit, Michigan and his attributes as 6’1” in height, blue eyes, brown hair, a high forehead, a straight nose, a small mouth, heavy chin, and fair complexion.

In another passport application submitted in 1896, Mulliken listed his new permanent residence as Chicago, Illinois and he had recently married Ellen C. Emerson of Stillwater, Minnesota in January 1896. He also records his new occupation as architect.

Mulliken professionally began his working career in the employment of the Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham and later the New York architect Ernest Flagg.