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he Queens were housed in one of the West 87th Street's
lingering brownstones. A brownstone is a red or brown-coloured type of sandstone, found in the Connecticut River Valley and central New Jersey. Since it was so plentiful around New York, it was a popular building material for middle-class townhomes in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The choice of coming to live there was largely due to the powerful influence of son upon father. They lived three high on the top floor of the sprawling old mansion and on their time-softened oak door appeared a placard labeled "The Queens". Once passed this door one would be overwhelmed by the odor redolent of old leather and masculinity.
There was a small, narrow 'Gothic' anteroom in which a vast tapestry hung. This was a gift of the Duke of - in return for the Inspector's discrete services. It was Ellery's will which prevented the Inspector from consigning it, period furniture and all, to the auction rooms.

During their stay in Italy (JJMcC)West 87th Street remained a semi-private museum of curios collected during their productive years: there was a excellent portret of father and son done by Thiraud, Ellery's collection of books of violence and the Inspector's precious snuff-box. This contrasted with the jolly living-room and library. Three walls were hidden by books up to the panelid, oak-ribbed ceiling. The fourth wall had a huge natural fireplace with a broad oak mantel and curious old ironwork - the Nuremberg swords crossed martially above - old lamps, brassware, massive furniture..Chairs, divans, footstools, leather cushions, ashstands. The swords the Inspector got whilst living with his teacher in Germany. They even ate breakfast around the old walnut table and the Inspector had a favorite armchair.There was a telephone on a night-table. A extension was kept in El's bedroom. Beside the living-room window 'a creaky, cranky old machine' stood where Ellery did his typing.

Off the living-room were the bedrooms for each of the Queens and a small room for Djuna. The kitchenette was considered Djuna's territory. In some of the later works we find a study behind Ellery's bedroom. Since, at this moment in time, the Queen household didn't use the services rendered by Djuna we suspect it to be Djuna's old room. On the table beside his bed he keeps a brass ashtray.(King is Dead)

Ellery's Duesenberg was serviced in a garage situated in West 87th street.
On New York's West 87th Street in a store-front carved out of a parking garage, with floor space the size of three parking spaces. Dilys Winn, a New York writer and mystery fan, who got tired of patronizing looks from general bookstore clerks and fellow customers, founded Murder Ink, the world's first mysteries-only public bookshop, in 1972. Today, there are dozens around the world.