I was wondering where they lived? It was often mentioned they lived across from the park. Although the park was fake as was the background from their luxury apartment. If Uncle Bill was a bachelor why would he need a 4 bedroom, I assume 3-4 bath, den/dining room, kitchen , large hall and really big suite? The outside of the building has me curious, they have decks or porches/patios but the first 4 floors look different. Did they also have a parking garage.
First, the whole premise of the show is about a well-to-do bachelor whose life is turned topsy-turvy by becoming a surrogate father all of a sudden. It is probably more realistic to have Bill Davis living in a plush, Manhattan penthouse than a small one-bedroom apartment.
Many wealthy people live in properties that are much bigger than they need for one person simply because they can afford it. It also explains why Bill Davis needs butler.
Not to mention it's a TV sitcom show with production costs and where they film primarily on a main set. They need to establish the main interior set in the premiere episode in order to maintain a level of series continuity. It would be redundant and complicated for a production and the audience to have Uncle Bill living in a small one bedroom apartment, and then having to move because his nieces and nephew came to live with him, then having to hire a butler, etc., etc., etc.
From what I recall, they used a parking garage down the street, in another upscale building.
shareThere was a parking garage under the building, and another one four blocks away.
In Season 1, Episode 7 Mrs. Beasley Where are You, Bill gets into an argument with a neighbor because they're trading paint on each other's cars. They flip a coin and agree one of them has to move their car. The only other available spot is "in the other garage four blocks away".
Why did he need a four bedroom place? Well before the kids moved in. He had his room, plus a bedroom for Mr. French. There was a guest room that is redecorated for Cissy and Buffy in episode 6 of the first season. I imagine the other room was a home office. Uncle Bill entertained very high profile business clients, and probably needed impressive digs.
shareIt's mentioned in the 2nd episode that Jody's room was a small storeroom.
shareUncle Bill entertained very high profile business clients, and probably needed impressive digs.