SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

HISTORIC DISTRICT

DESIGNATION REPORT

1977

City of New York

Abraham D. Beame, Mayor

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

Beverly Moss Spatt, Chairman
Morris Ketchum, Jr., Vice-Chairman

COMMISSIONERS

Margaret Beyer Barbaralee Diamonstein

Elizabeth Colt Stephen S. Lash
George R. Collins Hawthorne E. Lee
William M. Conklin Marie V. McGovern
Paul E. Parker, Jr.
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION

The East River waterfront of lower Manhattan, which Includes the site of
today's South Street Seaport Historic District, played an Important part In
the early history of New York City and became, over a period of two hundred
years, one of the most prosperous commercial districts In the City. This
development of the South Street Seaport area from a small cluster of wharves
In the 18th century to an Important part of the leading port of the nation In
the mld-19th century reflects the rise of New York City as an International
center of commerce.

As early as 1625 when the Dutch West India Company established a trading
post'at the foot of Manhattan Island, the area south of today's seaport served
as a landing site for Incoming boats. The Dutch constructed a small floating
dock which extended Into the East River from what Is now Broad Street. As
lower Manhattan, then New Amsterdam, became more populous, a few streets were
cut through the surrounding countryside. One of the first was Queen Street (now
Pearl Street), laid out In 1633, which rapidly became the core of the mercantile
community of 17th century Manhattan. Queen Street ran along the waterfront
until the latter half of the 18th century when landfill extended the eastern
boundary of Manhattan out to Water and later to Front Street. Still later, In
the early 19th century, South Street was created on additional landfill.

This southeastern shore of Manhattan was quickly recognized as the natural

site for the city's harbor. It was safer to land here than to attempt the more
treacherous western shore, where a ledge of rocks proved hazardous. In addition,
since the East River was narrower than the Hudson it provided much-needed
shelter for the small early vessels.

Early In the development of Manhattan the shipping trade, centered around

the East River harbor, supplied the city with an Important source of revenue.
The Schermerhorn family, which was to play such an Important part In the
development of South Street Seaport, established a regular shipping service
from New York to Charleston In 1728. The port also enjoyed prosperous trade
with England at this time, as local merchants sent their goods across the Atlantic
In their own ships. Nonetheless, on the eve of the Revolution, New York's trade
lagged behind that of Boston, Philadelphia and Charleston, due primarily to the
poor condition of her wharves, which were tcosmall and badly maintained. Through-
out the 18th century, these seaboard cities competed with one another for
leadership In the shipping trade, and It was not until many years after the
Revolution that New York could claim her superiority.

After the British won the Battle of Long Island In 1776, they occupied the
port of New York for eight years. During this period the city became the
center of British authority In America, thereby cutting off much of the domestic
trade of the harbor. When the British finally evacuated In 1783 the port
suffered a difficult time, since many of the Tory merchants naturally moved to
England, consequently disrupting several commercial enterprises. In addition,
the cutting of ties with England severely limited New York's sphere of trade and
It soon became necessary to seek new markets.

One such endeavor was that of the Empress of China, whose pioneer voyage
to Canton In 1784 opened a new world to New York merchants. In the next decade,
the New York port gradually recovered from the effects of the Revolution.
Fortunately, the British, upon resuming trade, selected New York as the most
'advantageously located U.S. port to which to export their goods. By 1797 New
York had surpassed both Boston and Philadelphia In Import and export trade. It
was to maintain this position of supremacy for at least the next 50 years,
with the brief exception of the War of 1812 (1812-1815).

The most significant Impetus to the rise of the New York port as a leading
commercial center was the founding of the Black Ball packet line In 1818.
These square-rigged liners sailed from South Street Just below Peck Slip and
were the first vessels to establish regular service between New York and Liver-
pool. The first group of ships sent to Liverpool Included the Amity, Courier,
Pacific and James Monroe. These crossings could require as many as twenLy-thr.ee
days or more. The great success of the Black Ball Line soon led to competitive
Imitators such as the Red Star Line and also to additional lines sailing to
Le Havre and to London. In the 1840s these packet ships were replaced by the

- 2
far-speedier clipper ships. The frequency and regularity of these trans-
atlantic voyages were Instrumental In establishing New York's primacy In world
trade.

Another major boost to the prosperity of the port of New York came with
the completion of the Erie Canal In 1825. This waterway, extending from Lake
Erie to the Hudson, enabled goods and produce to be easily transported to the
thriving city from the rural mid-West and to be sold for good prices. The
large supply of grain from this newly accessible hinterland soon made New Ycrk
the principal flour market of the East. In addition, thousands of rural towr.5
became major distributing centers for foreign Imports shipped to them along
the Canal.

During the early decades of the 19th century, the environs of the port
underwent several changes, undoubtedly stimulated by the prosperity of the
shipping trade. By 1810 South Street had been created on landfill, although the
block on which today's Fulton Market stands remained partly swamp until 1821.
In 1811 the prominent merchant Peter Schermerhorn began construction of his now
famous row of counting-houses along today's Fulton Street. Originally called
Oeekman Slip, the street was named In honor of Robert Fulton, whose Brooklyn
Ferry began landing at the foot of the street In 181A. Another Important
thoroughfare of the district was Pearl Street. William Earl Dodge, the son-in-
law and business partner of Anson Phelps whose office was located near the
seaport, noted the early significance of the street: "At this time (1818), the
wholesale drygoods trade was confined almost entirely to Pearl Street from
Coentles to Peck Slips . . . and any party Intending to commence that business
must first be sure that he could obtain a store In Pearl Street." By the 1830s,,
the South Street Seaport area was a burgeoning mercantile center with major
shipping and trading concerns established here; It was. as well the site of the
thriving Fulton Market which had moved from Peck Slip to Fulton Street In 1822.

In 1835 a disastrous fire destroyed much of lower Manhattan, Including

many early buildings near the seaport. The fire began on a winter night when
the severe cold froze the water In the fireman's hoses. Since the majority of
the city's buildings were of wood, more than six hundred structures were
destroyed, Including the first Merchants Exchange of 1827 on Wall Street.
Immediately after the fire new construction began, but the financial effect of
the catastrophe contributed to the Panic of 1837 when all building came to a
standstill.

By the l8^»0s» the seaport had recovered and began to thrive again. Old
prints of the area at this time depict it as a bustling commercial center. Its
streets were lined with sea captains Just returned from Europe, merchants
stocking their counting-houses, and market people busily exchanging goods. Many
of the prominent citizens of the district were New Englanders who had come to
the seaport to make their fortunes. Among these were Captain Joslah Macy from
Nantucket and Ablel Abbott Low from Salem, Mass., who with his brother founded
the successful China trading company. These merchants and sea captains were
considered the elite of New York. Another type of tradesman prospering In the
district was the "commission merchant" who served as a "commercial jack-of-all-
trades" and was the middle man between the merchant proper and the broker for
the goods. By I85O, New York was second only to London among the ports of the
world. The activity of the harbor was recalled by Thomas Floyd-Jones In his
Backward Glsr»css - - Reminiscences of an Old New Yorker: "Looking east was seen
In the distance on the long river front from Coenties Slip to Catherine Street,
Innumerable masts of the many California clippers, and London and Liverpool
packets, with their long bowsprits extending way over South Street, reaching
nearly to the opposite side."

Also arriving at the seaport were thousands of immigrant families from all
over the world seeking new opportunities In America. Between 1820 and i860, five
and one half million alien passengers came to the U.S. and more arrived at the
South Street Seaport piers than at any other port of entry. This flood of
Immigration brought the fear of disease to the seaport, and a number of cholera
and yellow fever epidemics paralyzed the business of the area. Hotels and
boarding houses were opened In the district during the 1850s to accommodate this
transient population as well as the many overseas merchants.

~ 3 -
During the 1850s the "golden age of shipping" at the South Street
Seaport reached Its peak. After this period, the larger transatlantic staara-
shlps replaced the earlier clipper ships. These steamships needed both
deeper and wider waters and the Hudson River became the new site of the New
York port. Much of the commercial center of the city moved northward.
Further contributing to the decline of the clipper ship era was the founding
of the Pacific Hall Steamship Company and the opening of the Panama Railway
In 1855.

Nonetheless, the seaport was maintained In part through the efforts of the
Fulton Market Fishmongers Association, organized In the 1860s and housed era
the site of the present "Tin Building" dating from 1907. As the shipping
merchants moved out of the district, businesses related to the fish market
filled the empty warehouses. The late 19th-century Importance of the fish
market to the district Is well symbolized by the 1885 building designed by
George B. Post on Beekman Street, the facade of which Is strikingly ornamented
with motifs of the sea. The fish market continues to function today and Its
activity Is certainly responsible for much of the survival of the character
of the seaport area.

The South Street Seaport Museum, founded In 1967» has been highly Instru-
mental In revitalizing this area. Under the auspices of the Museum, several
of the old brick buildings have been accurately restored and some now house
the offices and stores of the Museum. In 197**» the State of New York purchased
the "Schermerhorn Row block," bounded by Front, Fulton, South and John Streets,
an act which expressed the State's recognition of the historical Importance
of the Seaport. New life and Interest have been brought to the district
through the many South Street Seaport Museum activities which attract
thousands of tourists to the area each year. In 197^ when some of the tail
ships of "Operation Sail" were docked at the Seaport, the district was a
major focal point of New York City*s Bicentennial celebration. The South
Street*Seaport Museum also has been responsible for bringing to the piers
many different types of old ships which are new part of a permanent exhibit.
The piers are the site of a variety of musical and theatrical events during
the summer months. Through the efforts of the Museum, many have become
Increasingly aware of the richness, diversity and great historical significance
of the South Street Seaport.
ARCHITECTURAL INTRODUCTION

The buildings of the South Street Seaport Historic District span a period
of almost 200 years and range from the famous Captain Joseph.Rose house of the
late 18th century and George B. Post's delightfully detailed 1885 Romanesque
Revival building on Beekman Street, to the m1d-20th century structure of the
Fulton Market. Dating predominantly from the first half of the 19th century,
these buildings are representative of several different styles of mercantile
architecture, Including Georgian, Federal and Greek Revival. Some later 19th-
century styles, such as the Itallanate and Romanesque Revival, may also be
seen In the District. In many cases an early building was substantially altered
at a later date, so that the original structure Is either scarcely recognizable
or Is a combination of several architectural styles.

Quite simple In overall design, few of the early stores and warehouses of
the seaport area were the work of professional architects. Generally these
commercial structures were designed by builders. William W. Berwick, who built
many structures for the prominent Schermerhorn family, Is one of the few builders
whose name Is known today. Another may have been David Louderback, a mason, who
Is believed to have built the warehouse at 211 Water Street. In the later
19th century such prominent New York City architects as Stephen D. Hatch,
George B. Post and Richard Morris Hunt designed commercial buildings In the
District which contrast with the less sophisticated work of the earlier builders.
Many of the early buildings In the seaport area were wood frame and
frequently destroyed by fire. Although attempts were made as early as 1766 to
require brick construction In the more populous areas of the city, a number of
factors made enactment of such legislation rather difficult. Buildings on
landfill were exempt from the new building requirements, probably because It was
still not certain If the newly-made marshy land could successful! support masonry
structures. Joseph Scovllle In his Old Merchants of New York describes the
rather peculiar construction method for buildings on landfill. According to
Scovllle, the buildings "were just put up one story and allowed to stand one
year" before they were completed. If this method was actually used, no doubt
It was to allow the ground floor to settle before the upper stories were con-
structed. Further complications In masonry construction Involved the brick
Itself. Since the brick had to be shipped to New York City from small towns
along the Hudson River, the material was quite costly. The best and most
expensive brick came from Philadelphia and was considered an Item of luxury.
The making of brick was also a tedious and time-consuming process In the early
19th century. Before 1835 bricks were madeby hand. The original portions of
the Schermerhorn Row facades (1811-12) are of this soft, hand-molded type of
brick. A hand-powered brick molding machine patented In 1801 was not In general
use until about 1830. The smooth texture of the brick facades at 207-211 Water
Street (1835-6) Is a product of this machine technique and this texture generally
characterizes most of the. Greek Revival buildings in the District. Despite the
many obstacles involved In brick construction, It was nonetheless preferred by
the merchants, and the material was used for most of the structures In the
district from the 1790s onward.

The earliest buildings In the Historic District served as both house and
store and were designed In a simple vernacular style. The Rose House at 273
Water Street, erected by the 1790s, Is one of the few remaining examples of
this type In the District. Constructed of brick with frame side walls, the
building was rented out by Captain Joseph Rose to merchants and their families
for both commercial and residential use. Slightly later In date, No. 206 Front
Street, built about 1798, certainly served much the same function. First
occupied by grocer Matthew Howell, No. 206 Front Street had, to one side of the
shopfront, a separate narrow Federal style entrance leading to the family area.
Generally the family sitting or dining room was located on the ground floor
behind the store, while the bedrooms were above. vThe house-store type was
constructed in the district through the early decades of the 19th century and
had a planar brick facade with narrow proportions and simple brownstone decora-
tive detail displaying some features of the Federal style. As the seaport area
developed tn the 19th century, this building type was generally converted to
boarding house use.
By the beginning of the 19th century, the seaport was swiftly becoming one
of the busiest centers of the city and the random siting of buildings which
had produced a rather disordered pattern of stores and houses was brought to
an end. In April of 1801, the act "for regulating the Buildings, Streets,
Wharves and Slips of the City of New York" was passed, and the construction
of buildings along the wharved projecting into the river was prohibited. In
contrast to other seaport cities such as Boston where the buildings were erected
on the piers, the buildings at South Street Seaport were erected Instead along the
waterfront and around the slips. These slips, such as Burling Slip (now John
Street) and Beekman Slip (now Fulton Street) served as landing places for boats.
When warehouses were constructed along the slips, loading of cargo from ship
to store was greatly facilitated.

- 5 -
As the seaport began to prosper, a new building type was Introduced to
satisfy the demands of expanding trade. Known also as a "fireproof warehouse"
or "store," the "counting-house" quickly became.the standard formula for commercial
design and remained so until the 1830s. The design of the counting-house had
originated In English seaport cities, such as London and Liverpool, and had been
readily transmitted to the seaport of New York through the close contact between
the merchants of New York and England. Constructed of brick with front walls of
Flemish bond and side and rear walls of English bond, It was generally three or
four stories tall with a pitched roof of slate or tile. The large wheels of
the holstways used for loading the wares Into these buildings were stored under
these high peaked roofs. Combining,features of both the Georgian and Federal
styles, the handsome Schermerhorn Row block (1811-1812) was originally made up
of counting-houses, j This particular building type was characterized by
rusticated arched openings trimmed In brownstone at the ground floor and by
plain Federal style fenestration at the upper stories. The ground floor Georgian
arches formed a full arcade at 216-18 Front Street (now demolished). The arches
at 1^0 Beekman Street are among the few remaining In the Historic Otstrlct.
Another Important feature of some of the counting-houses, the exterior Iron
stairway which led to the second floor counttng room, Is no longer In evidence
In the District. Used no doubt to avoid further congestion at the crowded ground
floors, these stairways were originally features of the Schermerhorn Row buildings.
Few of the details of the Georgian style counting-house have survived In the
District, since the ground floors of these buildings were almost all remodeled
during the height of the Greek Revival period.

The popularity of the grand Greek Revival style swept America and the
style was readily adapted to a commercial formula which characterizes many of
the buildings In the Historic District today. The noted New York architect,
Ithlel Town, was the first to design a commercial structure In the Greek
Revival style—the 1829 store of Lewis and Arthur Tappan on Pearl Street—which
served as the prototype for New York City warehouses during the next 20 years.
The great fire of 1835 In lower Manhattan created a tremendous need for new
buildings and soon after the fire trabeated granite Greek Revival shopfronts
began to line the streets of the seaport area. Granite, a popular Massachusetts
building material, was Imported to New York and was used for the monolithic
ground floor piers and for the window lintels at the brick upper stories. The
ranges of granite piers, generally with simple Tuscan capitals, are the hall-
mark of the Greek Revival commercial style. The handsome Baker, Carver & Morrell
building of 18^0 Is the only completely granite-faced structure In the Historic
District. The roof of the Greek Revival building was no longer steeply pitched
and since the wheel of the hoistway, formerly located below the peaked roof, had
become much smaller, It no longer needed as much space. "Furthermore, the
"hoistway Itself was moved to the front Inside the Greek Revival building.
Particularly fine examples of the Greek Revival style In the Historic District
may be seen at 207-11 Water Street (1835-6) and 21-25 Fulton Street (1845-6).
These two building groups have been handsomely restored by the South Street
Seaport Museum.

In addition to the many Greek Revival buildings erected In the area of the
seaport, a number of earlier Georgian and Federal structures were altered to
the fashionable Greek Revival style. 165 John Street, originally built In 1811,
underwent major alterations In 1835 to accord with Its Greek Revival neighbor*
181 Front Street. The popularity of the Greek Revival style Is most apparent
In the Historic District where the rhythmic ranges of granite piers lend a striking
dignity and uniformity to the many warehouses and stores lining the narrow
streets.
The later 19th-century buildings of the Historic District are neither as
numerous nor as distinctive in design as those erected during the prosperous
era of the seaport. However, a few exceptional buildings from this later
period give further Interest to the architecture of the District. The 1850
Ablel Abbot Low building on John Street Is particularly handsome and displays
a cast-Iron "double storefront" produced by the renowned Architectural Iron-
works of Daniel D. Badger. Cast Iron was a popular building material after the
mld-19th century and many of the earlier Greek Revival storefronts were
remodeled with the ntore up-to-date cast iron', which made It possible to Introduce
slender columns In lieu of the heavier granite piers. An ornate cast-iron
ground floor facade was added to 2]h Front Street, originally built In 1802.
The 1868 warehouse at 213-15 Water Street, designed In the Itallanate style by
Stephen D. Hatch, Is also of cast Iron at the ground floor, while the upper
stories are of Tuckahoe marble. The Romanesque Revival style Is represented
In the Historic District by George B. Post's striking building on Beekman Street
of 1885 with engaging decorative motifs and by the 1888 tenement at 251 Water
Street. The contrast between these later buildings and those of the Georgian
counting-house and Greek Revival periods provides the District with a diversified
architectural character.

Today many of the buildings in the Historic District have been successfully
restored by the South Street Seaport Museum, and some of these fine buildings
houseofftces of the Museum. Businesses attracted to the area by the Fulton
Fish Market occupy the majority of the buildings in the District, and during
the early mornings the streets of the seaport are filled with the activities
of the fish merchants. A few of the warehouses In the District have been con-
verted to residential use, but the area remains primarily commercial today.

• " . Pjisniirrjjw
BEEKMAN STREET

Beekman Street was not extended from Pearl Street to South Street until 182*»,
long after the other streets of the area had been created. Before 182*4 a narrow
lane, known as Crane's Wharf, extended along this route from Water Street to
the river.

BEEKMAN STREET Between Pearl and Water Streets

SOUTH SIDE

No. 111-117. (280-286 Pearl and 216-222 Water) • -

Rising high above the Historic District, this large seven-story building,
originally known as the Volunteer Hospital, was erected in 1917-18, and was
designed by the architect Adolph Mertin. Its early 20th-century design displays
some neo-Renalssance features and contrasts markedly with the very early
commercial structures nearby. The build Ing Is set on a rusticated limestone
basement with arched windows and square-headed doorways. The next five stories
are faced in yellow brick, contrasting with the limestone trim at the top
story which defines square brick panels. A deeply projecting dentil led cornice
crowns the building.
NORTH SIDE

Nos. 108-120. A parking lot extends the length of the block from Pearl to
Water Streets.

BEEKMAN STREET Between Water and Front Streets

SOUTH SIDE
- 7 -
No. 133. (217 Water and 208-210 Front)

In 1750, this site was a water lot owned by the Livingston family. Eight
early buildings stood on this landfill site until 1914, when James Laher
built this yellow brick loft building for Ruth Livingston. Three stories
high, the building extends the whole length of the block from Water to Front
Streets. Large tripartite windows are set between massive, full-height pilasters
which have sheet metal capitals. A deeply projecting dent!Med cornice of sheet
metal crowns the building.

NORTH SIDE

No. 132- This building fs described under 227 Water Street.

No. 134. \

A building was erected on this site by 1824. The present brick buHdJng 6
shown as four stories high by 1859. may Incorporate some of the earlier
structure. In 1884, this bulldl
following year It was raised to five stories. A dormer window Is set at the
fifth story. Available records Indicate that the present facade may also date
from 1885. The facade Is of machine-pressed brick with narrow granite band
courses extending the width of the building. The projecting band courses also
serve as sills for the windows-of each of the three upper stories, while the
flush window lintels are also connected to form band courses. Above the top-
most band course, there Is a corbeled brick cornice. The off-center pedlmented
dormer window of sheet metal Is set In the pitched roof,

BEEKMAN STREET

No. 136r138. This site Is now a vacant lot.

No. 140. (212 Front)

Built In 1824, the same year that Beekman Street was created, this brick
structure with facades In Flemish bond Is one of the few In the Historic
District to retain Its round-arched ground floor openings. These arches wera
typical features of the Georgian style which characterized so many of the
early buildings In the District until the ground floors were altered to the
Greek Revival trabeated shopfronts of the.l830s and 1840s. The Georgian
arches at No. 140 were enframed In brick with brownstone keystones. Although
the arched doorway and the arched windows on both Beekman and Front Street
are now covered with stucco, Incised to simulate rustication, their arched
forms remain Intact, and are among the few extant vestiges of the Georgian
counting-house era. In I89O the building was raised to four stories and the
earlier brownstone window sills and lintels were altered to bluestone. A
simple sheet metal cornice now crowns the building.

BEEKMAN STREET Between Front and South Streets

SOUTH SIDE

No. 141-153. This building Is described under 1-13 Fulton Street.

NORTH SIDE ;\,

No. 1**2-1M*. (211 Front)

One of the most Interesting structures in the Historic District, this fine
Romanesque Revival building was erected In 1885 for Ellen S. Auchmuty, a
Schermerhorn descendent. It was designed by George B. Post (1837-1913),
architect of the Long Island Historical Society^bulldlng (1878), which Is within
the Brooklyn Heights Historic District, and the old New York Times Building
(1889) at Printing House Square. Post had trained with the prestigious architect,
Richard Morris Hunt, who also designed a building in the Historic District,
21-23 Peck Slip. Post's building was first occupied by Samuel T. Skldmore,
a fish dealer, and over the years It has always housed businesses associated
with the Fulton Fish Market. At one point, it reputedly served as the Western
Union offlae and played a vital role in the life of the market. It was here
that the orders and replies between merchants and customers were received
before the days of the telephone. The relationship between the fish market
and the building was symbolized In a delightful way through the introduction of
an Imaginative variety of ornamental detail. Above the cast-iron ground floor,
the four stories of round-arched windows are enlivened by terra-cotta keystones
displaying fanciful decorative fish. The wide, molded brick arches of the
windows are connected to one another at impost block level by a molded
terra-cotta band course which extends across the Beekman and Front Street
facades. These decorative features and particularly the Intriguing keystones
create a rich and lively facade. The starfish tie rod washers continue the
maritime theme, as does the elaborate cockleshell roof cornice of terr^-^oVta.
These elegant cockleshells repeat in miniature the round arch motif o<: t;-:-
windows and give the facade a graceful and striking rhythm.

No. 1^6-1 A3.

This Victorian building, also designed by George B. Post In 1°*33, was

erected before No, 11*2-1 M , since an old view of Beekman Street she,.'?; tha
building standing next to small hlpped-roof structures at the corner. It
was erected for Elizabeth S. Jones and Harriet D. Potter. A large metal canopya
hung from diamond-shaped washers at the third story, projects out over the

BEEKMAN STREET

ground floor. Above, the three-story brick facade Is enriched with stone band
courses which connect the windows at Impost block level and extend the width of
the building. The contrast In color between the stone band courses and the red
brickwork creates the polychromatic effect fashionable in the 1870s and 1880s,
At the center of each story, curvilinear wrought-lron tie rod washers enliven
the facade. A corbeled brick roof cornice' spans the building.

No. 150-152.

Built in 1882-83 from the designs of David and John Jardlne, architects af
several buildings In both the S0H0 Cast-iron and Greenwich Village Historic
Districts, this four-story brick building was erected for Mrs. Cordelia
Stewart. A metal canopy projects out over the cast-iron ground floor. At ths
upper stories, tall windows, with molded brick segmental arche«, create a
gentle rhythm across the facade. A cornice, resting on long brick corbels
set between the windows, adds further enrichment to the building.

N
° - 15*t. This building Is described under 10*» South Street.

DOVER STREET Between Pearl and Water Streets

SOUTH SIDE ONLY

The gas station at the corner of Pearl Street Is described under 332-336
Pearl Street. It Is adjacent to the empty lot at 333 Pearl Street.

The building at the corner of Water Street Is described under 272-27**

Water Street. It Is adjacent to the ercpty lot at 276 Water Street.

DOVER STREET Between Water and Front Streets

SOUTH SIDE ONLY

No. 14. This building Is described under 279 Water Street.

No. 16.

The first tax assessment record for this building dates from 1827, when
the building was owned by C. Johnson, who leased It out as a boarding hoyes.
The much-altered ground floor reveals both Greek Revival and later 19th-cc"tr.!"y
cast-iron features,' The early granite piers with simple Tuscan capitals c-..:;/
a cast-Iron lintel which Is ornamented with a serled of rosettes. The four
upper stories are faced tn Flemish bond brickwork and display windows with
simple stone sills and lintels.

No. 18-20. This site Is new a vacant lot.

DOVER STREET Between Front and South Streets

SOUTH SIDE ONLY

No. 3^. This building Is described under 259 Front Street.

DOVER STREET

No. 36-38.

This four-story double brick building was owned by the prominent flour
merchant, David Lydlg, and was first mentioned In the 18H» tax records. If.
stands on the old site of Lydlg's flour wharf and connects his earlier buHuiSiigs
at 259 Front and 160 South Street. Like Lydlg's two other buildings, this
structure was originally three stories tall and later raised to four stories-
A simple dentlI led cornice spans the facade.

No. A0. This building is described under 160 South Street,

FRONT STREET

A series of water lots until the late l8th century, Front Street was created
on landfill and served as the eastern boundary of lower Manhattan until South
Street was created by 1810.

FRONT STREET Between Fletcher and John Streets

EAST SIDE

No. 165.

Built In 1835-36, this three-story brick building, faced In Flemish bond,

has been substantially altered since Its original construction. Four stories
high when first erected, It was Increased to five In 189*», at which time
It also received a rear extension. The silhouette of the roof line of the
five-story building may still be seen on the sldewall of the adjacent structure.
The ground floor facade dates from after the m!d-19th century, and Is of cast
Iron from the foundry of Cook & Radley. Particularly handsome paneled cast-
iron square columns enframe the large glass display areas and the double
entrance doors. A finely molded cornice extends along the top of the cast-
iron architrave and effectively crowns the storefront. At the two upper
stories, now painted a deep red, the double windows at the second story are
probably a later addition, while the narrow shuttered windows at the third
story appear to be original. Stone lintels and sills, now painted white,
enliven the facade. The simple narrow coping stone at the roofline Indicates
the removal of additional stories.

Nos. 167-175. This site Is now an empty lot.

FRONT STREET Between John and Fulton Streets

EAST SIDE

Nos. 181-189. (159-163 John)

This site was part of the estate of John Byvank, whose daughter, Mary,
married George CodwIse, Jr., an owner of much of the property in this part
of the seaport area. This handsome pair of Greek Revival warehouses, a
designated New York City Landmark, was built in 1835-36 and Is contemporary
with the row at 207-211 Water Street. These buildings replaced two smaller
brick structures, owned by Anson G. Phelps, a merchant and philanthropist
who founded the merchandising firm of Phelps, Dodge 6 Co. When the present
stores were constructed, No. 131 was owned by the grocers, Mackle, Oakley 6
Jennlson, and No. 189 by Joslah Macy. Born In Nantucket, Massachusetts, In
1785, Joslah Macy was a prominent merchant captain who traveled extensively,
carrying cargoes of whale oil to International ports. At the end of the War
of 1812, Macy bought the ship Edward, and was active In the New York-Liverpool
trade for the ne*t fourteen years. In 1828, he founded the shipping and
commission house of Joslah Macy & Son, with his son William, In New York City.
Having amassed a considerable fortune, Macy retired from business In 1853
and the firm was continued by his sons. Joslah Macy 6 Son occupied No. 189
until 1885, when the firm moved next door to No. 191, where it remained until
after the turn of the century: The trabeated granite ground floor, charac-
teristic of the Greek Revival commercial styie, displays a fine row of
regularly-spaced piers with Tuscan capitals supporting a deep architrave.
Above the molded cornice which elegantly terminates the granite storefront Is
a continuous granite sill shared by the tall, narrow second story windows.
At the upper stories, the shorter windows, some of which retain their slx-over-
slx sash, are simply detailed with granite sills and lintels. The handsome
roof cornice of No. 189 Is of molded brick. An additional story with a deeply
projecting cornice was added to No. 181, the corner building, In 1917.

FRONT STREET

No. 191.

This five-story building, a designated New York City Landmark, may have
been erected before 1793 as one of a pair with No. 193. If so, It has been
significantly altered since that early date. The late 18th-century building
was two stories high with a peaked roof. Garrett Westful, a merchant,
occupied the stores In 1794-95, and the leading mercantile establishment of
Mlnturn S Champlin was housed here Intermittently between 1804 and 1816.
The present facade reflects many 19th century alterations. The cast-iron
storefront displays tall, slim, rectangular columns, ornamented like those
at 214 Front Street. These columns have traces of their original Corinthian
capitals. The upper stories are faced in the pressed brick typical of the
late 19th century. Stone lintels and sills are at each of the windows and a
dentil led roof cornice of a very retardatalre Greek Revival type extends
above the brick fascia.

No. 193.

This building, a designated New York City Landmark, may have been built
before 1793 as one of a pair with No. 191. If so, the 18th-century building
Is completely concealed by a 19th-century Victorian alteration to Its facade.
The 18th-century building was two stories high with a peaked roof. By about
1847 the original building had been either replaced or raised to five stories
with a tall two-story, studio-type top floor. Later, In 1877, another story
was added and the Victorian front Installed. At the first story the cast-
iron storefront has large paneled square columns. These columns carry a
broad Hntel with curved projected ends and contrast with the narrow rec-
tangular columns with stylized lotus leaf capitals which flank the central
opening. The next three stories-are embellished with neo-Grec stone lintels
with elegantly Incised curvilinear decor. Vertically grooved band courses
connect these windows at impost block level, a motif which occurs uninterrupted
for the width of the building between the fifth and sixth stories. The
extremely tall windows of the fifth story are separated by narrow engaged
cast-Iron round columns. The three sets of paired windows at the top story
are crowned by a deeply projecting metal roof cornice with an impressive arched
pediment at Its center. The distinctive top floors and roofline, together with
the variety of fine detail, give this facade a particularly striking appearance.

- 12 -
No. 195.

Part of the well-known Schermerhorn Row, this narrow Federal style

building, a designated New York City Landmark, was erected in 1811-12. It
was first occupied by Jenkins 6 Havens, an Important early shipping firm,
which had moved from 205 Front Street. Although the ground floor has been
substantially altered, the thre« upper stories, each only two bays wide, have
retained their original Flemish bond brickwork as well as their splayed stone
lintels. This building also retains Its original pitched roof.

No. 197-

This building Is described under 18 Fulton Street.

FRONT STREET Between Fulton and Beekman Streets

The street numbering system on this block Is continuous, rather than the
even-odd alternating pattern.

WEST SIDE

No. 201-202. (15-19 Fulton)

Handsome Federal style buildings with arched doorways and peaked roofs

FRONT STREET

originally stood on this site which Is now occupied In part by a concrete subway
ventilator shaft erected In 1938. The remaining portion of the site Is now an
empty lot.

No. 203-204.

These two fine buildings, erected at different times, have been combined
as a single structure and substantially altered since their original construc-
tion. In 1814-15, No. 203 was built for Peter G. Hart, a grocer. Its neighbors,
No. 204, had been erected fifteen years earlier, In 179S, for Philetus Havens
and for Thomas Carpenter, a merchant. In 1821, a serious fire destroyed all of
the frame buildings on the east side of Front Street In this block, along
with the single frame store on the west side. Both of these brick buildings,
however, escaped harm. That same year, this block of Front Street was
•regraded, and the street level was raised above the original ground floor
entrances of these stores. When Peter Hart and his neighbor objected to the
change, the Common Council advised them that It would be to their advantage
to raise the levels of their stores. In the 1830s or 1840s the ground floors
of these buildings were altered to the Greek Revival style. Granite piers
with simple Tuscan capitals flank the large openings for the shop windows and
carry a plain lintel with cornice. At No. 203 the two pairs of double doors
and the shop window have been handsomely restored with flat-headed transoms
arched at the corners. In 1832, No. 203, then still owned by the estate of
Peter G. Hart, was joined with No. 204. At this time, the upper floors of
No. 203 were altered and the tv/o buildings were remodeled,as a single hotel
with a new brick facade. These alterations were executed from the designs
of architect Thecbald Engelhardt, The hotel was leased to Wi1llam Walnwrlght,
who listed his occupation In 1883-84 as simply "Liquors." A photograph taken
shortly after the 1382 .remedsling Includes part of the sign on No. 204 which
reads " t's Hotel," which might have been "Wainwright's Hotel." Included
In Engelhardt's remodeling was the raising of the height of the granite piers,
He did not, however, use the same type cf granite and the difference
between the two types Is still evident today. The three upper stories now date
completely from Engelhardt's alteration. The brownstcne window sills on
corbel blocks are fancifully designed with small triangular wedges at their
centers, as are the shouldered lintels which are also embellished with Incised
curvilinear ornament. The original peaked roof of No. 203 was lowered in
1882 In order to align with the roof line of No. 20'*. A massive, ornate metal
roof cornice, carried on large vertical brackets set between modi 11 ions, spans
this handsome pair. No. 203, joined to No. 20*», now serves as the South
Street Seaport Museum Administration Building. During the restoration of the
building to 1882 appearance, several tooled brownstone quoin blocks dating
from the original 1815 facade were discovered.

No. 205.

This brick building, with Flemish bond facade, was erected by i800 when
it was occupied by the prominent shipping firm of Jenkins S Havens. This is
the earliest tenancy record available for the building.- Like No. 203-20^,
the ground floor has been remodeled In the popular Greek Revival commercial
style. Granite piers enframing the storefront openings support a granite lintel
with molded cornice. In a photograph taken about 1883, this ground floor is
shewn with a three-sided bay window at Its southern bay and with double doors
at the two other bays. Handsome signs and an oversized firecracker announced
the gun powder and sports equipment firm of William K Howell that was housed
within at that time. Also depicted In the photograph are the early six-over-
six window sash and a simple wood cornice, all since altered. The present
structure, four stories In height, is simply detailed with stone lintels and
sills at the windows and a copper rain gutter above a molded brick cornice
and fascia.

No. 206.

First occupied by Matthew Howell, a grocer, this small brick building was
erected In 1798 or 1799. A print of 1855 shows the structure as a handsome

FRONT STREET

three-story Federal building with a separate narrow entrance to the residences

above. This doorway was paneled and enframed by handsome fluted pilasters.
Also depicted are two tall, narrow pedlmented dormer windows set in the
original pitched roof. After an 1880 fire, the building was substantially
remodeled. At that time the roof was lowered and the facade was completely
rebuilt.

No. 207.

An early building on this site was erected by 1797 and was used as the
house and shop of Benjamin Stratton, Jr., a grocer and cooper. This 18th-
century building was demolished and replaced by 1816 with the four-story struc-
ture on the site today. This building was first occupied by Jonathan and
Joseph Coddlngton, grocers and merchants. Although the ground floor was
altered in 1901, the three upper stories retain their Flemish bond brickwor*
and stone window trim. The full-width sign with wood letters below the tnir-cl
story windows adds further Interest to this facade. The building has a
peaked roof.
No. 203-10. This building Is described under 133 Beskman Street.

EAST SIDE

The building on the east side of Front Street between Fulton and Beektnan
Streets is described under 1-13 Fulton Street.

FRONT STREET Between Beekman Street and Peck Slip

WEST SIDE

No. 212. This building is described under H»0 Beekman Street.

No. 21*4.

Erected by 1802 for William Shotwell, a merchant, this building has been
substantially altered since that early date. The handsome snld-19th century
cast-Iron shopfront Is enriched with ornamented paneled square columns,
similar to those at 191 Front Street. The same Iron foundry undoubtedly cast
the members of both storefronts. At the southernmost cast-iron column an
elegant cartouche bears the street number, " 2 1 V , of the building. Surmounting
the broad cast-lrcn lintel Is a projecting mod!11 toned metal cornice. The
four upper stories of smooth-pressed brick certainly date from the late 19th
century. Some of the gudgeons for the 19th century shutters still remain at
the windows. The original height of this building is not known, but It was
perhaps less than It Is today and the building may have once had a peaked
roof. A dentil led brick cornice above a paneled brick fascia now crowns the
building.

Nos. 216-218.

This empty lot was originally the site of a pair of three-story buildings
dating from the first quarter of the 19th century. In a 1936 photograph tha
buildings were shown to have triple-arched ground floors. The silhouettes
of the pitched roofs of these buildings may still be seen on the sldewalls cf
No. 214 and No. 220. Demolished In 1962, this pair was one of the finest '!;>.
the Historic District.

Nos. 220-226.

These four buildings were constructed at about the same time that 237*2^3
Water Street were erected, in 1798-1800. These buildings, like the Water
Street buildings, occupy the land which was part of the extension of the wo;:;:;"

- 15 -
FRONT STREET

lot Peter Schermerhorn and Ebene2er Stevens had bought from William Beekman
In 1795. Schermerhorn's ship chandlery was at 243 Water Street and Stevens,
a Revolutionary War general who was both a fleet owner and liquor Importer,
ran his business from 222 Front. The Schermerhorn and Stevens families wer»;
officially Joined when John Peter Schermerhorn married Rebecca Stevens.

Although none of these buildings has any visible late 18th or early
19th-century surface material, It does seem possible that these are the
original structures, how greatly altered, as no record of demolition or of
new construction has been found. In 1858, Ncs. 222 and 226 were recorded
as two-and-one-half-storles high, while Nos. 220 and 224 were five stories.
The peaked roof of No. 226 was lowered In 1897 and at that time another story
was added. Between 185^ and I856, the assessed valuation of No. 220 Incr.-sa.••;:'.
significantly. Indicating alterations to the building. Its cast-Iron store-
front, a product of J. L. Jackson Brothers Ironworks, may date from this
period. At No. 220 paneled square columns, similar to those at Nos. 222 an. J
224, flank a large display window with cast-Iron muntlns and frame. The
original window lintels of No. 220 may have once been similar to the metal
ones at Nos. 222 and 224. These molded metal lintels were probably applied
over the stones ones at mid-century. Slightly lower In height than No. 220,
the common roof lines of Nos. 222 and 224 are ornamented with dent!lied brick
cornices similar to that at No . 220. The last building In this row, No. 22o,
displays a plain facade, also substantially altered over the years.

No. 228-230.

Dating from 1830, this building with four windows at each upper story,
retains few of Its original Greek Revival features. The cast-Iron shopfront,
added In the second half of the 19th century, Is particularly handsome. Thr?.e
massive paneled square columns with stylized acanthus leaf capitals extend
across the facade and once carried a cast-iron lintel, now missing. At the
four upper stories of Flemish bond brickwork, some of the early slx-over-slx
double-hung window sash, typical of the Greek Revival, remain. The simple
dentil led roof cornice wlth brick fascia, partly restored, extends the width
of the bulldlng.

No. 232-234.

This broad double building was erected under a single street number In
1816 for Gershom Smith, a grocer, who had previously occupied another bul1dli;:j
on the site as a tavern keeper. This early building has been substantially
altered. The cast-Iron ground floor, composed of square columns supporting
a narrow lintel with rosettes, Is protected by a corrugated metal canopy. Stur.h
canopies as these appear to have been used frequently in late 19th-century
commercial buildings. The three upper brick stories are characteristically
utilitarian and plain In design. Stone lintels and sills are the only ornamental
features. Short attic windows, now filled In, enliven the fenestration pattern
of the facade. They were probably filled In when the original peaked roof of
the building was lowered In 1897. In 1891 the building functioned as a stab];.,
Carriages were stored on the ground floor; the horses were carried by hoist >:.'•
the second floor and the fodder was kept on the third floor.

No. 236. (28 Peck Slip)

This building was constructed tn 1827 for Edward fi. Fatle, a grocer, w!;'\
rented this property from the Corporation of the City of New York. It had
been one of the city's last water lots and the Common Council felt It unwis.'.
to sell the land at the low real estate values of 1827. The land was not soiJ
to Falle until 1840. The ground floor facade, an evident alteration, displays
narrow cast-Iron rectangular columns at both Its Front Street and Peck Slip
sides. A large fluted round cast-iron column at-the corner of the building
Is an Interesting feature of the shopfront. At the upper stories, star-shapV ;
tie rod washers Indicate where the Interior floors meet the brick facade.
FRONT STREET

In 188** the building was raised from four stories with a peaked roof to fJva
stories. A flat roof with an ornate metal cornice was added at this time.
This cornice appears to have been later altered to the present more simple o n e

EAST SIDE

No. 211. This building Is described under Tt2 Beekman Street.

No. 213-215.

A late 15th-century five-story bulIding was once located on this site,

now occupied by a garage.

No. 217-219.

A pair of threo-story buildings once occupied this site, now an

empty lot.

Ho. 221-223.

These lots were part of the extension of the water lot Petar ScherrcerhofT:
and Ebenezer Stevens bought from William Gaekman In 17S5- Nos. 221 ar.d 223
were built en Stevens' land and resembled somewhat today's 225 and 227 Front
Street. This site Is now an empty lot.

Ho. 225.

Also owned by the prominent New York merchant, Peter Schermerhorn, this;
building was erected In 1822 by William W. Berwick, a builder active In New
York between 1819 and 18^5. Berwick also constructed buildings for the
Scherrnarhom family In other neighborhoods of the city. This building,
originally three stories high, was raised to four stories In 1373, as Indicated
by the unusually wide distance between the third and fourth stories. The
peaked roof of this building was also lowered at that time. The original
Flemish bend brickwork of the second and third stories has been retained. At
the much-altered ground floor, remnants of the keyed browns tone doer enframe-
ment remain at the southern bay.. An early brownstone sill remains at the
northern window. At the upper stories, some of the brownstone window lintels
and sills are still In.place. The fourth story addition of the 1870s Is
terminated by a retardataire dentil led brick cornice.

No. 227.

Also built by William W. Berwick In 1822 for Peter Scharmerhorn, this

brick building was significantly remodeled later In the 19th century. The
cast-iron lintel with rosettes at the storefront level, was part of the later
alteration. The fifth story was add&d in 1839, at which tlnvs the peaked roof
was lowered. The corbeled brick roof cornice Is characteristic of this later
period.

No. 229-231.

This robust Greek Revival building was erected in 18JS-39 for grocers
Hopkins & Hawley. At the ground floor, massive gran!te piers carry a deep
granite lintel with molded cornice. The Flemish bond brickwork of the fou.
upper stories appears to be a refacing of the original brick facade. The
roof cornice has been removed from the building.
- 17 -
FRONT STREET

No. 233.

Erected at the same time as the corner building, No, 235. this 1828-29
building was constructed upon what had been one of the last water lots to q.e
retained by the City. The grocers Hopkins & Hawley were located here until
they moved to No. 223-231. The ground floor has a cast-Iron shopfront which
was added to the building. Hound-arched paneled square columns support a
lintel decorated with rosettes. The original brick facing appears to have
been retained at the three upper stories. The most striking feature of t.hlr;
fine building Is Its pitched roof rising above a dentllled brick cornice and
crowned by two pedlmented wood dormers. This roofllne contrasts sharply with
the ethers In this block.

No. 235. {3k Peck Slip)

Like No. 233. this building was erected In 1828-2? on land owned by the
Corporation of the City of New York. It was first occupied by the flour
merchants, Wood & Btrdsoll. At the Peck Slip side of the building, an
original arched doorway, now filled In, may still be seen. The arch Is of
gauged brick and Is ornamented with a brownstone double keystons arid Impost
blocks. To the right of this doorway, paneled doors of a later period are
flanked by ribbed cast-iron square columns, supporting a wood-faced lintel
with a beaded bracket at one end. The cast-Iron features undoubtedly date
from 1892 when th« facade was altered according to the plans of the archi-
tects, Neville r. Qagge. The sheet metal window lintels are also features
of this alteration. At this time the building was raised from four to five
stories and Its peaked roof was lowered. A bracketed sheet metal cornice
now crowns the building.

FRONT STREET Between Peck Slip and Dover Street

WEST SIDE

No. 233. Thlr. building lr- described ur.dor 33 Peck Slip.

No. 2fr0.

Erected In 1851-52, this building was first assessed to Harris Stone, ona
of the many provlsloners along this block. Other provlsloners In this section
Included flour merchants, grocers and bakers. This building was connected at
the rear to 29 Peck Slip, erected for Stone at the same time.. In 1857, Jones <>
Rowland, flour merchants, acquired the building. The fJve-story structure has
been somewhat altered but the members of the cast-iron storefront remain In-
tact. The paneled cast-iron square columns are ornamented with small
cartouches at mid-height, two of which bear the street number of the building.
At the upper stories the facade Is of pressed brick with star-shaped tie rod
washers set In the party.v/all between this, building and'33 Peck Slip, v/hlch was
built In I856 and was also owned by Harris Stone. An ornate paneled and corbel!.?. ;
brick roof cornice spans these two buildings and may have bean added at ?!
later date to the earlier 2^0 Front Street facade.

Nos. ZkZ and 2kh.

These two structures were built shortly after the disastrous • Novelty lizr.^vy
fire of 185-3 which destroyed the earlier buildings on this site as well as v.o?,t
of the structures on this block. Jones & Rowland, the flour merchants, were
also the owners of these buildings. The cast-Iron shopfronts were the latest
In commercial style when this pair was built. . The square columns are quite
handsome and display round-arched vertical panels. The pressed brick facades
are designed In the popular vernacular style with plain stone lintels and sills
at the windows. Star-shaped tie rod washers remain at No. 2A2, while some of
the early Iron shutters are still Intact at No. 2kU. A small attic story v/l'iih'-
FRONT STREET

short windows distinguishes No. 2^2, which Is crowned by a brick dentil led
cornice with fascia. This cornice contrasts effectively with the sheet
metal mod 11 Honed cornice of No. 2kk, which is one full story higher than
No. 2^2.

No. 2fr6.

This site Is now an empty lot. It had been occupied by a building

erected with Nos. 2*48-250, which was destroyed by the Novelty Bakery fire
of 1853.

Nos. 2k8 and 250.

The 7S53 Ncveity Bakery fire broke out In a rear building en the site or
today's No. 2^8 and destroyed the early 1 Si0 buildings located here. Erectsd
shortly after the fire, thase two buildings are among the tr.ost elaborately
detailed In the Historic District. The cast-iron shepfronts are especially
fine. No. 2'\B displays ornamented paneled square columns supporting an
trchltrave capped by an egg and dart molding. The shopfroiit of Ho. 250
Is certainly cr.e of the best-preserved and most handsome Ir. ths District.
Simple rosettes ornament the tops of the square and rectangular columns
which support a dza? architrave also embelIished with sn egg and dart molding.
At this shopf'ront the original paneled double-wood doors remain at the center
bay while the folding paneled doors rsmain at the loading dock entrance. The
window treatment at the four upper stories of both of these brick buildings
Is quite richly detailed. Sagme.i-it.nl-arched windows are elegantly surmounted
by Iron lintels with decorative moldings ar.d shouldered end. The iron window
sills are also finely molded and are supported on small corbels. The floot-
levels and roof line of Wo. 250 are slightly higher than those of No. 2^8.
Both buildings are grandly crowned by ornate sheet metsl roof cornices,
supported on large foliate brackets. The panels between the brackets of the
cornice of No. 7.'<8 am embellished with paired sws.gs, while the cornice of.
No. 250 Is more simply ornamented with rectangular panels and dentils.

No. 252.

This building occupies the eastern end of the water lot Captain Joseph
Rose purchased In 1771. Rose's building at 273 Water Street was erected on
the western end. When the landfill en the Front Street site was completed,
Rose had a storehouse for his wharf erected here. It was replaced In 1801-02
by a three-story building which certainly remains as part of today's five-story
structure. Many of the early features of tha building hove been altered, but
at the second and third stories of Flemish bond brickwork the criglrtal splayed
stone window lintels remain.

N03. 25/4-256. This site is now occupied by a one-story brick garage.

No. 258. This site Is now an empty lot.

EAST SIDE

No. 237-257. il5-h\ Peck Slip)

The buildings that occupied this site were demolished for the Consol ^.Us:'1
Edison Substation, begun in 197*». The substation was designed by the
architectural firm of Edward L. Barnes and Is of brick with concrete trim." ' t
Is the same height as the cornice line of US Peck Slip which was erected in
1806-07. The design of the substation was approved by the Restoration and
Development Committee of the South Street Seaport Museum.
- 19 -
FRONT STREET

No. 259.

This Federal style building was erected in 1807-03 fcr Oavld Lydlg, the
prominent flour merchant whose first store In the area was at 160 South
Street. The Front Street building appears to have been three stories high
originally, perhaps with a hipped roof which was a common, feature of early
corner buildings In the seaport area. At the first three original stories
the b H c k Is of, Flemish bond, In contrast to the running bond at the fourth
story which was added later. In addition, the splayed brownstone window
lintels at the second and third stories further distinguish this early portion
of the building. The original features of the ground floor have been
substantially altered.

- 20 -
FULTON STREET

Originally called Beekman Slip, the section of Fulton Street between Pearl
Street and the river was connected with another section of Fulton Street in
1814 and the streets were united under the same name in 1816. The.early
cobblestones of Fulton Street were replaced by Belgian blocks in 1854.

FULTON STREET Between South and Front Streets

SOUTH SIDE

Ncs. 2-12. The eastern portion of Schermerhcrn Row.

Schermerhorn Row, a designated New York City Landmark, is one of the

finest rows of early commercial architecture in all of New York City. Built
for Peter Schermerhorn in 1811, these six counting-houses were designed in
the Georgian-Federal style. Peter Schermerhorn (1749-1526), described by
Joseph Scoville in 0.1d Merchants of New York as "one of the founders of New
York's rapid rise to eminence", was a leading Manhattan merchant. Known as
"Captain" Schermerhorn, he was a ship owner as well, and ran a ship chandlery
at 243 Water Street, a building which still stands today. The Schermerhorn
family had owned property in the area since the I720's, when Pearl Street was
still the eastern boundary of Manhattan Island. Rater's g^ndfathsr, Arnout (1655-
1749), had built several wharves, in this part of the East River. Peter
Schermerhorn bought the land on which the buildings of Schermerhorn Row now
stand in 1793, when the site was still a series of water lots. This property
was partially filled in 1797 and was completely fill ad by 1807, according to
the Bridges Survey of New York. When Schermerhorn Row W3S begun in 1811, the
geographic advantages of its site were r.ct yet realized, since the.markets
were then located at Peck Slip and Maiden Lane, Shortly after Schermerhorn's
buildings were erected, Robert Fulton's Erooklyn Ferry began to land at
Schoonerhorn's wharf. The ferry terminated at the foot of Fulton Street
where a wooden structure of classical design served as the ferry house. This
building was replaced in 1853 by a cast-iron Italianate building designed by
the architect John Kellum. The Fulton Market did not mevs to Fulton Street
until IS22, and it was then that this site was fully established as one of
the prime focal points of the area.

The buildings of Schermerhorn Row were erected as warehouses with

counting rooms and ware leased by the Schermerhorn family to other merchants.
The original appearance of these six narrow brick buildings, united by a
common cornice line and almost completely identical to the three other build-
ings at the western end of Schermerhorn Row (14-18 Fulton), must have been
quite handsome. Exterior stairways, which led up tc the second story counting-
house rooms, were removed in the 1840s. At the ground floor of each building
there was an arched doorway with brewnstone trim keyed to the surrounding
brickwork. These doors served as.entrances to the warehouse areas of the
buildings. At No.. 2 one of these doorways, with a large window at ore side,
may still be seen. The upper stories, executed in Flemish bond brickwork,
retain many windows with their original splayed I intels. At Nos. 4-10 the
high pitched roofs are intact and, with the exception of Mo. 10, a gabled
dormer crowns each building. These dormers were not, howaver, original
features of the buildings which had only hatchways leading to the roofs.
Early fire laws required that the brick party walls be extended above the
roofs to prevent the spread of fire from buiiding to building. High chimneys
once rose above these party walls. A few of these chimneys have retained
their original height.

The mansara roof B T N O . 2 replaces The original hipped roof which was
once aligned with those in the row to the west. At the time the roof was
altered another story was also added beneath it. This buildina served as a
hotel in the mid-l9th century when it was known as Joseph Calvin's East Ri <fj;
Hot9l. By 1875 it was known as the Fulton Ferry Hotel.

The Greek Revival style transformed many of these early brick fronts, as
illustrated in a print of Fulton Street of about 1848, which shows a series
of trabeated granite shopfronts along this row. Later in the 19th century

" 21 -
FULTON STREET

cast iron replaced many of the granite piers. Today cast-iron- features
remain at Nos. 4 and 10. Despite the remodeling of No. 2 and the unfortunato
1935 alterations at No. 12, these six buildings form a striking row, most
notable forits early date of construction and Its well-preserved homogeneity,,

Nos. 14-18. The western portion of Schermerhorn Row.

These Schermerhorn Row buildings, also designated New York City Landmarks,
were built in 1812, slightly later than the eastern portion (2-12 Fulton).
Nos. 14 and 16 retain their original high pitched roofs and the hipped roof
of the corner building, No. 10, effectively terminates this fine row. The
early features of the ground floors of this portion of the row, including thr,
Greek Revival trabeated fronts of the 1840s, were replaced by cast-iron
storefronts dating from the middle of the 19th century. At those shopfronts,
some of which have been restored by the South Street Seaport Museum, paneled
cast-iron square columns enframe wide openings. Splayed brownstone lintels
remain at many of the upper story windows. No. 18 was altered in 1873 by
Detlef Lienau, the architect also responsible for two houses on West 23rd
Street owned by a later generation of the Schermerhorn family. The uniformity
of the Flemish bond brick facades of Schermerhorn Row, together with the high
pitched roofSjTnake this one of the finest early 19th-century architectural
rows in the city.

NORTH SIDE

Nos. 1-13. (94-103 South and 141-153 Beekman).

One of the last blocks to be completed by landfill, this site was still
lined with wood frame buildings standing on marshy land in January of 1821,
when ths city condemned it in order to build,the long-planned Fulton Market.
Twelve days after condemnation, a fire broke out In the area and destroyed
thirty to forty buildings on the site. After this dlsBster, the Common Council
was pressured to build the market and by January, 1022, the new building was
completed. The market was a handsome brick and stone building, designed by
Jamas O'Donnell, who had designed additions to Columbia Col lege in 1818: By
1832 the market building had become decrepit and badly damaged by fire. It
was replaced by an exuberant High Victorian style building of dark brick and
terra-cotta, designed by Douglas Smyth, the official architect of the City's
markets. The South Street facade of this market was open-ended and it was.
here that the small wood stalls filled with farm produce were located. This
striking late 19th-century building was in turn replaced by the present one-
story brick market building, erected in 1949. Today the oastern half of this
building is occupied by fish stores. The western half, known as the "New
Fulton Market", houses a variety of shops, including snack bars, a book store
and an art gallery. •

FULTON STREET Between Front and Water Streets

NORTH SIDE

Nos. 15-19. (201-202 Front).

Handsome Federal style buildings with arched doorways and peaked roofs
originally stood on this site which is now occupied in part by a concrete
subway ventilator shaft erected in 1936. The remaining portion of the site
is now an empty lot. .

Nos. 21. 23. and 25(205 Water Street).

These three handsome brick stores are late examples of the Greek Revival
style and were built in 1845-46 for George W. Rogers, one of the city's
larger landholders. Five stories high with granite storefronts and machine-

- 22 -
FULTON STREET Between Front and Water Streets

Nos. 21. 23. and 25.(205 Water Street).

pressed brick facades, these buildings have been partially restored by the
South Street Seaport Museum. The upper stories of ell of the buildings have
been cleaned and the ground floor of No. 21 has been renovated and displays
fine granite piers with simple Tuscan capitals. No. 25 Axhich now houses the
Museum Book Shop and Chart Store has a ground floor of a later date. A
fluted cast-iron column at the corner supports the floors above. At the upper
stories of this group six-over-six double-hung windows contrast notably with
the short three-ovei—six windows at the fifth story. These fine buildings
ere spanned by a simple dentil led brick roof cornice, with fascia below, which
extends alcng the Water Street side of No. 25.

JOHN STREET

John Street was former Iy called Burling Slip. The slip was filled in 1835.
The extra width of the street between Front Street and the river reflects the
size of the earlier slip.

JOHN STREET Between Front and South Streets

SOUTH SIDE

Nos, 160-168. This site Is now a vacant lot. '

Nos. 170-176.

One of the finest and most impressive structures in the Historic District,
this stately building, a designated New York City Landmark, was erected in
1840 for Hickson W, Field, a commission merchant. This building has been
handsome Iy restored by the ship chandlers, Baker, Carver & Morrell, Inc., a
firm which was founded in I8S4, It was originally housed at Coanties Slip
and moved to this address in the late 1950s. Unlike the other. Greek Revival
buildings in the District, this structure is entirely faced in granite including
the fifth story which was raised from a low attic to full height. Tha use of
granite at the upper stories was noT a common practice in New York and derived
instead from the granite-faced buildings in Boston and northern New England.
The regular ranges of windows without shutters, extending across the unorna-
mented facade, stress the purely utilitarian character of the building. Most
imposing is the use of massive granite'piers between the show windows at the
ground floor. The large scale and the restrained use of decorative features
make this building one of the most outstanding examples of Greek Revival
commercial architecture in the city. The building is L-shaped in plan and
extends through to 86 South Street.

Nos. 178-180. (87 South). This site is now occupied by a gas station.
NORTH SIDE
Nos. 159-163. This building is described under 131-189 Front Street. .

. No. 165.

Erected in 1811 for George Codwise, Jr., who once owned the property on
the north side of Burling Slip between South and Front Streets, this building
is a designated New York City Landmark. This was the westernmost building in
a row of, six which was constructed at the same time that Peter Schermerhorn1s
row was begun on Fulton Street. No. 165 is. the only extant building of the
Codwise row. It was first occupied in 1812 by Merrit & Corlies, flour
merchants. In 103.5 it housed the firm of Mackie, Oakley & Jennison, commission
merchants, who were then building the present 181 Front Street. While con-
structing No. 181, the firm altered 165 John so that it would resemble its
new neighbor. Its trabeated granite ground floor was part of this alteration,
, - 23 -
M", STREET.
No. 165.

as indicated by the pier at the party wall between the two buildings which-
supports part of both facades. This alteration also included the realignment
of the windows to match those of the later structure and the refacing of the
facade in a n9wer brick. In 1839 Edward G. Faile, a grocer, bought this
building and 181 Front Street, and made a party wall agreement with Georcie
Codwise's widow, Mary, which would allow No. 165 to be raised to'five stories.
However, in an 1847 print, this building still appears to be four stories
high with a steep peaked roof.and in the 1870 Perris-Browhe Atlas it was also
indicated as four stories. Now five stories tall, the building contrasts
with the higher 181 Front Street, which had a sixth' story added in 1917,

Nos. 167-171.

< Also part of the property belonging to G&crge Codwise, Jr., this site was
sold by his widow, Mary, to the Low family in 1849. Built for A.A. Low &
Brother in 1850, the building housed this famous export firm until well past
the end of the 19th century. Abie I Abbot Low (1811-1893),became the foremost
merchant in trade between New York and China. At the age of twenty-two he
had left his home in Salem, Massachusetts, to clerk at the American firm of
Russell & Co. in Canton, where his uncle, William, was a partner. During his
stay in Canton, Low came to know one of the legendary Cantonese merchants,
Houqua, extremely well and his success in the China trade was greatly enhanced
by this connection. In 1840 he became a partner in Russell & Co. and he soon
left-China to Iivs in New York. The next year he began his own business with
offices on Fletcher Street and in 1847 moved to 115 South Street, which still
stands today. Three years later Low and his brother, Josiah, moved into
167-171 John, a building which symbolized the success and importance of their
firm. This exceptionally fine brownstone-faced counting-hcuse, now covered
with stucco, creates an imposing effect by means of its large scale. Raised
on a brownstone basement, the building is five stories high and eight windows wida
at each floor. It acts as a counter-balance to the broader Baker, Carver &
Morrell building which faces it across the street. Its cast-iron first floor
is exceptionally notable since it was manufactured by the well-known Archi-
tectural Ironworks of Daniel D. Badger. The cast-iron front dates from before
1865, but it is not know if it was an original feature of the facade or not.
Its paneled square columns once had elaborate Corinthian capitals. The tall
windows at the three upper stories contrast well with the shorter top story
windows. These double-hung windows, which originally had molded sills, have
central wood mull ions, A simple cornice, with fascia below, crowns this
handsome building and is characteristic of the generally restrained design of
the facade.

Nos. 173-179. Four peaked roof buildings, four stories in height, originally
stood on this site now occupied by a gas station,

- Ik -
• I
>;
i:,' PEARL STREET

.^uOriginally called Queen Street, Pearl Street ran along the waterfront of
•,^'l;ower Manhattan until the latter half of the, 18th century when Water Street-
was created on landfill. During the early 19th century, Pearl Street was iho
site of one of the busiest commercial centers of the city.

PEARL STREET Between Fulton-and Beekman Streets

EAST SIDE ONLY

No-. 268. This site is described under No. 204-214 Water Street.

Nov. 280-286. This building is described under 111-117 Beekman Street.

PEARL STREET Between Beekman Street and Peck Slip

EAST SIDE ONLY

Nos. 208-312. This site is now occupied by s parking lot and a two-story
garage.

PEARL STREET Between Peck Slip and Dovsr Street .

EAST SIDE ONLY

Ho, 320. (260-262 Water). This building is described under 1-15 Peck Slip.

No. 322. This site is new an empty lot.

Nos. 324-326;

On the site of 326-328 Pearl Street, which was once Franklin Square,
stood one of the most famous and handsome early buildings in the environs of
the seaport. Built in, 1752, the buildinc was an elegant Georgian house owned
by the merchant William Walton, whose portrait by Thomas Wollaston hangs in
the New York Historical Society. Walton's house was of imported yellow brick
with brownstone trim, and the elaborate Walton coat of arms was carved in
stone over the central doorway. During the 19th century, this fine building
served as a bearding house until it was demolished in 1881.

The three brick warehouses now standing at Nos. 324-328 were erected as
one building in 1681-02 from the designs of architect William Kuhler. Owned
by James Callery, the buildings originally housed a store on the first floor
with a factory above. In 1888 a printing house occupied these buildings.
Today they form a homogeneous group, unified by a similar ground floor treat-
ment, window alignment and a common cornice spanning all three facades.
Although some portions of the ground floors have boen altered, the handsome
paneled cast-iron square columns remain. The fenestration at the four upper
stories varies slightly. At No. 326 and at one bay of No. .328 the windows
are of the same height but paired, contrasting subtly with the other single
windows of the facade. Certainly the most-ornate feature of this groupd is
the corbeled brick, roof cornice, ornamented with a fanciful geometric pattern.

No. 330.

Also designed by William Kuhler, this five-story brick building was.

erected in 1882 and is almost identical to Nos. 324-320. Originally owned by
J.S. Shultz, this building was designed to accord with the facades at Nos. :1\
328. A corbeled brick roof cornice unites all four buildings.

Nos. 332-336. The pair of five-story buildings which once stood on this site
was demolished in 1958. tt is now occupied by a gas station.

No. 338. This site is now an empty lot.

- 25 "
PECK SLIP

Peck Slip was named for Benjamin Peck, whose house and wharf were located here
in the 18th century. The Slip was graded and raised to high water nark near
Front Street in 1755, and in 1763 it was the site of a major public market.
Described as "one of the principal wharves in the City" in 1769, Peck Slip was
filled in during the summer of 1810.

PECK SLIP Between Pearl and Water Streets

SOUTH SIDE

Nos. 2-13. This site is occupied by a two-story garaga and by a parking lot,

NORTH SIDE

No. 1-19. (260-262 Water)

Eleven buildings, one of which was wood frame, stood on this site until
at least 1910. The present six-story brick structure with steel sash was
erected in 1950; from the designs of Charles M. Spindler, as the Feck Slip
Station, U.S. Post Office. The building is clad with modern louvered aluminum
siding.

PECK SLIP Between Water and Front Streets

SOUTH)SIDE ' ,

Mo. 20-22. This building is described under 251 Water Streot.

No. ' 24-26.

Two buildings were erected on this site by 1835. They were rebuilt as
one double building in 1870-71, when they wsrfc converted to tenements with
stores bo low. Although the brick ground floor has been somewhat altered, the
four upper stories dl3play a regular rhythm of segmental-arched windows,
characteristic of the late 19th century. These windows have stone sills and
wide brick segmental arches built up with three rows of corbeled brick headers.
A simple dentil led brick cornice spans the facade.

No. 28. This building is described under 236 Front Street.

NORTH SIDE . .

No. 21-23. (257-259 Water)

Until 1873, a picturesque cluster of gambreI-roofed buildings stood on

this corner site. The present brick building, designed.to house "first class
stores", was erected in 1673 from the designs of the prominent, Paris-trained
architect, Richard Morris Hunt (1827-95), who aIso designed the Lenox Library
(1877) since razed, and the base of the Statue of Liberty (1836) and the "
central section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1695-1902), which are both
designated New York City Landmarks. The Peck Slip building, erected on land
that had originally been a water lot grantad to Jacobus Roosevelt in 1751, was
constructed for the trustees of Rnos«?ve!t Hospital. !t !:; intersstir.y to nuir
that in the same year, 1373, Hunt designed another building for Roosevelt'
Hospital at 478-482 Broadway, now part of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.
The six-story high Peck Slip building is particularly rich in decorative
detail. Although the ground floor on the Peck Slip side has been altered, the
original segmental-arched openings on the Water Street side still remain. A
variety of window treatments enlivens the upper stories. At the outer bays,
tiers of single segmental-arched windows extend up through the fifth story
contrasting with the square-headed windows of the sixth story. The two center
bays display paired square-headed windows with stone lintels crowned by seg-
mental relieving arches .of brick at the third and fourth floors. These arches
are formed with three rows of headers set against stone impost-blocks at each
PECK SLIP

end. The spandrel panels of these paired windows have horizontal bands of
brick in herring-bone pattern at top and bottom. The stone window lintels and
impost blocks contrast effectively with the brick arches and the dark brick of
facade. This use of polychromy was characteristic of the late 19th-century
Victorian Gothic style. On the Peck Slip facade is the date, "1073", with the
numbers ranged vertically on the central brick pier between the paired windows.
This building is crowned by a modillioned cornice.

Nos. 25-27.

This pair, erected in 1835-36, was built, for Spofford 4 Tilletson,

commission merchants who, if they occupied the building at all, used it only
for storage purposes, since their store was at 149 Water Street. The original
Greek Revival ground floor has been altered, but the four upper stories in
Flemish bend brickwork remain. The windows retain their simple stone lintels
and sills and progressively diminish in height at the upper floors. At the
roof line the early dentil led brick cornice with brick fascia may still be
seen.

Nos. 29 and 3 ) .

Slightly taller than its western neighbor, this five-story pair was built
for Harris Stone, a provisioner. The 1852 Perris-Browne Atlas shows a full-
width smokehouse at the rear of No. 29. This was probably the place where
meats were prepared for long transatlantic voyages. The altered storefronts
of these buildings retain few of the original openings, except perhaps the
narrow entranceway at the easternmost bay of No. 29. Oversized stai—shaped
tie rod washers enliven the brick facade of No. 29. The corbeled roof cornice,
spanning the two buildings, is a distinctive feature and similar to that at
240 Front Street, also ones owned by Harris Stone. This cornice, which also
extends to 33 Peck Slip, is composed of recessed rectangular panels and
vertical brick corbels,

No. 33. (233 Front)

Also built for Harris Stone, this five-story brick structure replaced an
old frame building on this site in 1056. Slightly narrower than its two
western neighbors, it resembles them in its four upper stories and was designed
to align with the floor levels of these earlier buildings. The ornamental
paneled roof cornice with brick corbels unites the facades of 29 through 33
Peck Slip and extends around the corner to 240 Front Street.

PECK SLIP Between Front and South Streets

SOUTH SIDE

No. 34. This building is described under 235 Front Street.

Nos. 36-40.

t-t \rf \ » I ^, ^ «_i - J t_i ^Jl ^ U | J til | ItS I •»« y I M W ^ U I III WS< *** I W. , V M I I -a a • I ^-1 a l v l v „ , v v . _ _ . _ .

William and John Mott, dry good merchants. The Motts had stores at 35 Peck
Slip and 240 Water Street, so that these three buildings were probably used
solely as warehouses. Originally three stories high with a peaked roof each
of the buildings has been raised in height and the roof lowered. No. 40 was
raised to four stories in 1872, but the dates for the additions at Nos. 36 and
38, which are.now five stories high, are not known. The similarity of the
dentil led brick roof cornices at each building suggests that all three may have
been raised at the same time; however, the fact that the windows of No. 40 do
not align with the other buildings may indicate that this facade was altered
separately. The ground floors of the buildings were modernized in the second •
half of the 19th century and display some cast-iron features, including narrow
•rectangular columns at Nos. 33 and 40.

- 27 *
PECK SLIP

Ho. 42-44. This building is described under 116-119 South Street.

NORTH SIDE

No.. 35-41. This building is described under No. 237-257 Front Street.

No. 43.

This site is now occupied by a four-story brick building designed by tho

architectural firm of Edward L. Barnes as part of the Consolidated Edison
Substation erected in 1974. This small building was designed to harmonize
with the early 19th-century facada of the existing cornor building at 45 Peck
Slip, y

Ncv 45. (151 South)

This four-story brick building was part of a row of three similar

structures with a common hipped roof, erected in IS06-07 for Jasper Ward, a
merchant. At the time that they were constructed, Peck Slip consisted mostly
of water lots, and these buiidings were erected on newly filled land. The
other two buildings in the row ware demolished in 1962. No, 45 retains its
original Flemish bond brick facade and splayed brownstono window I into Is and
sills.

SOUTH STREET

Laid out by 1310, South Street was created on landfill, which extended the
boundary of lower Manhattan further east. Famed as the "street of ships,"
Sooth Scree; was or.ce flllad with the captains and cargo of the ships landing
at the nearby piers.

The street numbering on South Street is continuous on the West side.

SOUTH STREET Between Fletcher and John Streets

WEST SIDE

No. 6A-85.

This eight-story Rcmanasque Revival building was erected In 1902 from the
"?.ns of architect G. Curtis Gillespie for Maximilian Morgenthau. It was
constructed as a warehouse for tobacco and other non-hazardous businesses and
leased to Colson Hamilton and James M, Congaltcn. Above Its rough-faced stona
b'sement, the facade Is of buff-colored brick, trimmed with contrasting dark
red brick and terra-cotta. The cast-iron storefront has been modernized,
To the left of it, a round-arched window, characteristic of the Romanesque
Revival, Is accentuated by a wide arch of dark red brick. This round arch
motif recurs at the second story windows. At the top story, paired narro;.'/ -liv.i-.. i
windows have red radial brick archeft, carried on slender engaged columns. The
top story Is further embellished by small ccrtcuchcs set between the arenas «J'
the windows. The most Interesting features of this facade are the long, thin
brick prow-shaped forms which extend almost the full height of the building en
e H h e r side. They are surmounted by terra-cotta turrets, ornamented with a
variety of swirl forms almost Art Nouveau in character. A metal cornice,may
onco have been set just below the crenelated roof line.

Mo. 86.

This flverstory building, a designated New York City Landmark, was erected
with 170-176 John Street in I^J-^O for the commission merchant HIckson W. Field.

- 28 -
SOUTH STREET

The two buildings connect at the rear and, like the John Street building, No. 86
was originally granite-faced. In I878, when It was owned by Field's estate,
the building was altered, for Hugh N. Camp,to an office building by architect
Douglas Smyth, who designed the second Fulton Market In 1882. In 1902, Hlckson
Field's heir sold this structure to the China and Japan Trading Company, a
possible outgrowth of Field's own business. Like the Baker, Carver 5 Morrell
building at 170-176 John Street, this building Is characteristic of the Greek-
Revival commercial style. Its ground floor has been substantially altered.
but the original granite piers may still be seen at the sides. The upper
stories, now covered by stucco, are completely unornamented, Indicating the
purely utilitarian purpose of the building. The original slx-over-slx window.
sash remain at the third and fourth floors. A simple gran! to cornlc-: 'jrowns
thls facade.

No. 87. (178-180 John) This site Is now occupied by 0 g3.» c.ta'i.lci.

SOUTH STREET Between John and Fulton Streets

WEST SIDE

No. 88-90.

A gas station new occupies this lot. Three brick buildings, four stories-
high with a common hipped roof, stood here until 1956. Mo. 88, the corner
building on what Is now John Street, was the office o.e E. K. Collins, the
founder of the successful Collins Line of transatlantic passenger steamships
which prospered until the late 1850s.

Nos. 91-93.

This row of three buildings, designated New York City Landmarks, was
erected in 1811-12 for Peter Schermerhorn and forms part of the handsome
Schermerhorn Row which extends along Fulton Street. The early Federal character
of the original Flemish bond brick facades has been largely transformed by later
19th-century alterations. In 1868, Nos. 92 and 93 were raised from four to
six stories and topped by a mansard roof with gabled dormers. This alteration
was made for John H. McKlnley, who began running bis steamboat hotel at No. 2?
(also 2 Fulton) In this same year. By 1879, Nos. 92 and 93 were both part of
the Fulton Ferry Hotel on Fulton Street. No. 91 was raised from Its original
four stories with peaked roof to five In 1897, when It housed a hotel above lis
ground floor. The end columns of a later 19th century cast-iron shopfront arv;
still visible at No. 91, while the ground floors of Nos. 92 and 93 have besn
modernized.

SOUTH STREET Between Fulton and Beekman Streets

WEST SIDE

Ho. 9^-103. This building is described-under No. 1-13 Fulton Street.

EAST SIDE

rlers 15, 16 and 17.

During the "golden age of shipping," large clIpper ships carrying £jcodu
from Europe, the Orient, South America and many other foreign countries dock;.:.J
at these piers. The wharves teemed with the activities of sea captains iind
merchants who poured into the area of the seaport dally. Today, through the
efforts of the South Street Seaport Museum, ships are once again tied up at
these historic piers and the waterfront scene along South Street recalls the
SOUTH STREET

prosperous years of this East River port In the first half of the 19th century.
The ships, many of which date from the late 19th century, are being restored
by the South Street Seaport Museum. The piers are used for a variety of musical
and theatrical events during the summer months.

The Fulton Fish Harket.

Fisherman and merchants have occupied this East River site since 1835
when the city first erected a wooden shed to house various businesses. The
Fulton Flshraongcrs Association, formed by a group of Independent fish merchants
in the 1860s, was responsible for establishing the first permanent market
structure here. Built of wood In 1869, the market building was later moved
north across Pier 18 In \83'i. The present "Tin Building" market, the fourth
market building to be located on this site, was built In 1907 and designed
by the Berlin Construction Company of Berlin, Connecticut. It Is similar In
form and plan to the earlier 1869 market, after which It Is directly modeled.
The building, designed In the neo-Classlc style, Is an Impressive commercial
structure. The corrugated metal facade, ornamented with two-story high
paneled pilasters of sheet metal, Is surmounted by an entablature with an
ornate cornice carried on console brackets. This cornice Is handsomely
crowned by three large pediments above the three projecting bays of the facade.
The large open ground floor Is the sales room with mezzanine offices looking
over this floor and the old boat landing at thts rear. The ground floor Is an
Interesting example of pipe column construction combined with Iron girders
carrying the wood joists of the floor above. Brackets extending from the
columns carry a canopy the length of the building along the wast side. During
the late 1950s and early 1960s, attempts were made to relocata the Fulton Fish
Market out of the seaport area. These efforts appear to have been abandoned.

SOUTH STREET Between 9«2kman Stroat and Peel: Slip

WEST SIDE

No. 10*<. (15^ Beekman)

This cornar site was originally occupied by a three-story building with

peaked roof, erected In 1823. Seme of the framing of this early building
may be Incorporated In the four-story brick structure-on the site today. The
facade of the present building dates from between 1855 and 1866. A metal
canopy projects out over the ground floor which has a cast-Iron dentllled
lintel at both Its South Street and Beekman fronts above the original cast-iron
square columns with Corinthian capitals. The corner of the building is
accentuated by brownstone quoins extending the full height of the structure
above the first floor. The handsome sheet metal roof cornice crowning the
building Is embellished with elegant swags with an egg-ar.d-dart molding extend-
ing beneath 1t.

No. 105.

The original building erected on this site In 182*4-25 was four stories
high with two dormer windows set In Its steep pitched roof. The present
brick structure may Incorporate 5crn& Oi' thiScariy wUiiutny, Sti'tCc no rccoru
of new construction or of demolition has been found. In 1870 the building
was raised to five stories, but after a fire In 1950 this" fifth story was
removed. The brick facade is now covered by an ochre-colored composition
veneer.

No. 106.

The Flemish bond brickwork of the front of this building may be part of
the original structure erected on this site In 1823. The building has been
substantially altered at the ground floor since that early date.. In an 1855
SOUTH STREET

view of South Street, the building was shown as four stories high with an
attic story just below a peaked roof. By 1910 the roof had been lowered, and
today the building stands five stories high. A metal canopy, typical of
late-19th century commercial architecture, projects out above the ground
floor where the cast-iron storefront displays paneled square columns and a
band of rosettes along the lintel.

No. 107.

Built In 1818-19, this brick structure with Flemish bond front was first
occupied by Robert T. Hicks, Jr., who ran a ship chandlery here. By 1855
the building had been raised to its present height of four stories with a low
attic story. Later 19th-century additions include the matal canopy over the
ground floor and the cast-iron storefront.

Nos. 108-113.

This row of six buildings, constructed in 1815-19, was owned by Ebenezer

Stevens (Nos. 108-110) and by Peter Schennerhorn (Nos. 111-113), the same man
who also owned the buildings at.220-226 Front Street. The builder of these
stores may have been William Berwick, who constructed many buildings owned
by the Schermerhorn family. Since waterfront buildings were so much more
valuable than those inland, each of these structures Is only 16 feet 9 Inches
wide, compared to the standard 25 foot width. Vhen May ware first constructed the
stores were occupied by merchants and grocers. By mid-century, the area had become
rare heavily populated and It became necessary for the merchants to make rocm_.or
a variety of tradesmen', Including cotton brokers, ship chandlers and sailmakers,
who occupied different parts of these buildings. The shops must have formed
a handsome row of restrained Federal style facades, and were certainly some of
the finest In the Historic District. Although No. 10 was reduced in 1870, the
other buildings retain their original height of four stories and peaked roofs.
The original simple dentil led roof cornices of brick appear st several of the
facades, most of which have retained the original Flemish bond brick facing.
Metal canopies carried on tension rods were sdded late In the 19th century and
project out over the cast-iron ground floors, also added in tho second half of
the 19th century. At Nos. 110 and 112 fluted cast-iron round columns with
palmetta. cap!tals are particularly noteworthy. These colyrcns fn the district
and thsy replaced granite piers In order to gain greater shop window space.

No. 114-115.

Constructed as a double building In 18'<0, this structure was owned by the

prominent mercantile firm of Slate, Gardiner 6 Howell, who occupied No. 115
until 1860. Massive granite piers at either side of the building are origin*!
features of the Greek Revival storefront, as is the molded granite lintel
overhead. During the l880s,when John J. Flynn ran a bar and lodging house
here, the ground floor was altered with cast-iron rectangular columns. These
narrow paneled columns, with a geometric design at the upper portions, contrast-
in their slenderness with the earlier more massive granits supports at the
sides. The four upper stories are faced in Flemish bond brickwork. A simple
dentil led roof cornice above a paneled brick fascia crowns the building.

No. 116-119. (k?.-kk Peck Slip)

The earlier structure on this corner site was similar to the buildings in
the Schermerhorn Row block. Four stories high, the building was crowned by
a large hipped roof. In 1873 it was replaced by the large striking building
erected for thevLong Island attorney, William H. Onderdonk. This building was
designed by John B. Snook, the English-born architect who also designed the
first Grand Central Station In 1871-1, as well as many buildings in the S0H0
Cast-Iron Historic District. Snook's drawings for this building and his
SOUTH STREET,

ledger books are preserved at the New York Historical Society. From the
drawings we learn that the building was originally designed to be four
stories high and that the two large pediments crowning the building were not
part of the early design. In addition, the entrance door at tha corner was
not Included In the original design. Although the original purpose of the
building Is not known, It became Meyer's Hotel In 1881, when It was owned
by Henry L. Meyer, a liquor merchant. The South Street facade, although
wider than the Peck Slip front, Is quite similar to it. Dominating each
facade is a large triangular pediment bearing the date of 1873 at Its center.
A row of dentils runs along the rake of the pediment and across the top of
the building. In contrast to the earlier buildings in this South Street
block, this facade has a relatively modern appearance, due to the broad expanse
of windows which progressively diminish In'height at the upper floors. At the
ground floor a series of openings are framed by paneled cast-iron square
columns of varying widths. One of the most fascinating features of this hotel
is the diagonal entrance to tha bar located at the corner. The glass panels
of,the left door are etched In a lovely and elaborate flower basket pattern.
A metal canopy supported en wood posts has been added at the Peck Slip facade
and extends partly along the South Street front.

SOUTH STREET Between Peck Slip and Dover Street

WEST SIDE

No. 151. This building Is described under US Peck Slip.

This building, the Consolidated Edison Substation, Is described under 237-257

Front Street.

No. 160. (kO Dover Street)

This four-story brick building was erected in 180/ as the counting-house

of the prominent flour merchant, David Lydlg. Lydig had purchased the water
lots lying between today's Front and South Street at the feet of Dover Street
in 1801 and gradually, over the next six years, had the land filled In. The
year after his South Street building was completed, he erected another warehouse
to th-2 west cf it at 259 Front Street and six years later, a third building
at 36-38 Dover connected these earlier structures. Lydig's flour business
thrived until the opening of the Erie Car.al In 1825, when the shrewd merchant
realized that the new waterway would enable the abundant supply of grain from
the rural regions of the state to be shipped rapidly and cheaply to the city,
thereby Inflating by comparison the price of Lydig's flour. Today Lydig's
building displays few of tha original features. Star-shaped tie rod washers
enliven the upper stories and a simple dentil led roof cornice crowns the
building. At the ground floor massive unadorned granite p»ers(support Ing a
deep lintel of gran Ite; remaln from the early storefront. The single round •
'cast-lrcn column at the corner was a later' 19th-century addition.

- 32 -
WATI[RSTR££T

Created on landfill, Water Street was widened to its present size in 1708-89.
At that time, the street was also paved with cobblestones, since replaced by
Belgian blocks.

V.'ATER STREET ' Between Fulton and Beekman Streets

WEST SIDE

Nos. 204-214. (268 Pearl)

This small park, known as Fulton Park, is paved with Belgian blocks. At
the southernmost end-stands the Titanic Memorial which commemorates the tragic
sinking of the Titanic in 1912. This structure, with the exception of its
modern base, originally crowned the tall Seamen's Church Institute building
which stood on Jeanstte Park (25 South Street) until 1968.

Nos. 216-222. This building is described under No. Ill-l17 Beekman Street.

EAST SIDE

No. 205. This building is described under 25 Fulton Street.

N Q S . 207-21 I.

These three Greek Revival warehouses were erected as a group in 1835-36,

for three individuals, P.J. Hart, Gabriel Havens and David Louderback.
Louderback, a mason by profession, probably constructed his own building and
may also have built the other two. The buildings, among the finost in the
Historic District, are exeat lent examples of the widely pc-pu'.er commercial
adaptation of the Greek Revival stylo. Markedly simple in general design,
they display at the ground floor monolithic granite piers with simple Tuscan
capitals, supporting wide granite architraves. This treatment of the stores
helps to unify the facades. Granite, a popular Massachusetts busiding
material, was commonly used for New York City storefronts after ithiel Town's
very influential Teppan Shore of 1329 was built on Pearl Street. At Nos. 207
and 211, the fine, tall double entrance dcors are flanked by a large display
window to the left and by paneled wood doors, leading to an cpen-riser stair-
case, to the right. Originally hoistways were located et the interior, in
front of these staircases. At No. 211, the original slip sill has bean retained
at the large window and the 6arly granite rain trough remains here and at No.
209. A paneled wood dcor at Nc. 211 leads to the bzssment of the building.
Nos. 207 and 211 have been handsomely restored by the South Stre6t Seaport Museum;
No. 207 is nowthe Museum Model Shop and No. 211 houses Eo.wne 4 Co. Stationers.
The Flemish bond brick facades, of a distinctive warm, orange tone, have
six-ovei—six double-hung windows with granite lintels. At No. 207 the original
gudgeons for the iron shutters,-common features of early 19th-century buildings,
may still be seen. The simp Iicity and strictly utilitarian quality of these
structures is further accentuated by the fine granite roof cornices which span
these three facades.

No. 213-215. •

This building was erected in 1868 from the designs of Stephen D. Hatch,
architect of two buildings in the Greenwich Village Historic District and
of the Mercantile Building on Aster Place. This five-story !!aIianaie ware-
house was built for A.A. Thompson 4 Co., a tin and metals concern, and offers'
a striking contrast with the earlier Greek Revival buildings nearby. Cast iron,
so popular for commercial buildings after the mid-!9th centruy, is used at the
ground floor. Here, large arched openings are supported on massive, engaged
cast-iron columns, which probably originally had ornamented capitals. The
upper stories of the buildings are of Tuckahoe marble which could be mistaken
for cast iron. In addition, the large expanse of the.windows at these upper
stories is similar to the window design of cast-iron buildings of the sane
period. These windows provided more light for the interior and improved working
conditions. At each of the upper stories, quoins ornament the sides of the
building, while engaged columns support recessed flat-headed window enframemen+s
curved at the corners. The cornice of the building is particularly noteworthy.
"in i en aI MCC I •

Carried on closely spaced vertical console brackets, doubled at each end, it

is crowned by a low triangular pediment, also supported on brackets, at tlie
center of which appears the date of construction.

Mo. 217. This building is described under 133 Beekman Street.

WATER STREET Between Beekman Street end Peck Slip

WEST SIDE

Nos. 228-258. A parking 'lot extends tha length of the block from Baekman Street
to Peck Slip.

EAST SIDE

No. 227. (132 Beekman)

The early date of this building, 1798, is not at all apparent due to the
many alterations to the facade. It was erected as 229 Water Street for Augustus
Wright, a sailmaker, and did not become a corner site until Beekman Street was
cut through, here in 1824. / At the ground floor the mcdornization Is especially
noticeable. A 1916 photograph of the ground floor shows a brick arched door-
way with a double keystone and arched windows connected to the doorway by
brownstone impost blocks. Splayed stone window lintels on the Water Street
side indicate the. early date of this sidea ond contrast with tha later square-
ended lintels on tha 1824 Beekman Street Slda.

No. 229
•Aw • HIUWIIM i I M H I U I I M

This building was erected in 1801 and occupied by Armstrong & Smith, ship
chandlers. The facade is of Flemish bond brickwork but retains few of its
original features. In a 1916 view of Water Street this building was shown with
four sets of Greek Revival double doors. The present storefront bears little
relation to this earlier ground floor. The three upper floors have splayed
stone I into Is with fluted double keystones. The pGakad roof of the building
reveals its early dote of construction,

No. 23 i.

Quite narrow, only I6i feet in width, this brick building was erected in
1827. Now five stories tall, it was described as foui—and-or.e-hal f stories
in 1858, and may originally have been lower. Although the facade has been
altered, seme of the pintles for the early iron shutters remain at the upper
stories.

No, 233-235„

This site Is now occupied by a two-story modern brick structure. The

silhouette of the roof fine of the earlier building on this lot may be seen
on the side wall of No. 231. The original building appears to have been five
stories tall, and was shown in a 1916 view to have had a cast-iron roof
cornice as well as segmental-arched cast-iron window lintels.

No. 237-24 1.

Originally this site was occupied by wood frnmn houses f>r«cte>rt horn in
1799. The present building is a two-story brick warehouse' wn ich also
incorporates the much earlier 24 1 Water Street, lowered to two stories and
refaced in 1941.

No. 243.

In 1800 this site was owned by Peter Schermerhorn and occupied by his ship
chandlery, which remained here until sometime after Schermerhorn's death in 1826,
No. 243 was built as the northern one of a pair with No. 24 1 and the two were
served by a narrow passageway at street level. This handsome Georgian feature

-34-
remains today, despite the'almost conipU-re alteration of No. 241.' This passage-
way, which originally led back to a courtyard, has a quoined brownstone erwrarnemeni
with double keystone lintel. The well-preserved state of this early opening,
together with its extremely small scale, certainly make it one of the finest
and'most unusual details of the Historic District. The ground floor of No. 243
was altered in the 19th century and now has elegant fluted cast-iron round columns
with foliate capitals. At the three brick upper stories, the tall narrow
windows have splayed brownstone lintels with double keystones. The original
peaked roof of the building ;/as altered to a low-pitched one in 1912, and it
was probably at this time that the heavy metal roof cornice with console
brackets was added.

No. 245 T

This Greek Revival warehouse was erected in 1836, after the srr.al I building
on the site had been destroyed by fire in 1835. Its Greek Revival features are
still intact at the ground floor, where five large granite piers with simple
Tuscan capitals support the brick facade above a wide granite architrave with
cornice. The four upper stories have been rebuilt since 1836 and are now
painted. Especially evident as a Iate-I9th centruy alteration is the ornate
metal roof cornice with grooved scroll brackets and modi I I ions. This building
was originally built to house the copper firm of Hendricks Brothers, founded
by the sons of Harmon Hendricks, who had supplied the copper sheathing for the
hull of the Savannah1 the first transatlantic steamship, and for Robert Fulton's
steamboats.

No. 247-249.

This very handsome Greek Revival warehouse was built a year later, in 1837,
to house the coppersmith, Samuel Thompson! The fac3Q3 has a slight swell due
to settlement at each end of the building. This condition w3s corrected in 1884.
with metal tie rods,, but it is still quite noticable today. The standard 1830s
Greek Revival design for a commercial building is evident at the ground floor.
Six large granite piers support a deep architrave which is capped by a cornice.
Very few alterations appear to have occurred at the brick upper stories, so
that this building is highly representative of a typical commercial structure
in the 1830s. The double-hung windows, five across, are simply articulated
with granite lintels and sills. At eithar sida of these windows, the gudgeons
for the iron shutters which originally hung there remain. Diamond-shaped tie
rod plates indicate where the floors meet the brick facade at the third and
fourth stories. Twelve-ovei—twelve double-hung window sash remain at the top
story and a simple dentil led brick cornice spans the facade.

U2V.J&L. (22 Peck Slip)

Erected in 1833 from designs by architect Carl F. Eisenbach for John N.

Eitel, this buiIding was designed as a tenement for eight families with stores
at the ground floor. Formerly, a four-story wood frame house had occupied this
site. The Romanesque Revival style distinguishes this facade which is richly
ornamented at the ground floor. At the Feck Slip side of the building, three
large horseshoe arches are connected to one another by a wide band course
decorated with a rinceau, which extends around the corner to the Water Street
side and meets the large arched opening there at impost block level. These
large Romanesque arches are formed by specially molded bricks and are extremely
handsome features of this building. On the Water Street side, the entrance to
the apartments above is crowned by a terra-cotta lintel set on foliate impost
blocks. An extremely ornate arch surmounts thic !in+oj gnH displays a series
of sun flowers encircling an intricate crest-like form in the tympanum. The
building is divided into three tiers, demarcated between the second and third
stories by a stylized foliate band course and between the fourth and fifth by
a geometries-patterned band course. Further enlivening the facade is the great
variety of window treatments at the different stories. Those at the second
story are square-headed and topped by splayed lintels with cap moldings, while
those at the third, story, similar to those at the fifth, are segmentaI-arched.
The windows of the fourth story are the most fascinating, since they are
round-arched and crowned by terra-cotta masks which look down at the street
below.
WEST SIDE

No. 260-262. This building is described under 1-19 Peck Slip.

No. 264-266.

Two small buildings stood on this site by the 1820s. These early buildings
may be incorporated in the present single br'ick building which was raised'frem .
four to six stories in I8S5-86. The facade of this building dates completely
from this later alteration. The building is three bays wide and has a center
section with four windows, flanked on either side bv two • narrower bays. Theso
bays are defined by full-height pilasters with metal capitals at alternate floors^
At the ground floor the cast-iron front displays ribbed square columns. A deeply
projecting modillioned roof cornice crowns the building.

No.268,
This small three-story structure contrasts strikingly with the taller
buildings in this block. Dating from 1823-24, It was originally owned by
Ezra Hoyt, a stove manufacturer. The ground floor has been substantially
altered and today reveals the paneled cast-iron squara colums of the mid-l9th
century cast-iron storefront. The upper stories, in Flemish bond brickwork,
are characteristics!ly Federal in style and have six-over-six double-hung windows
with simple stone sills and lintels. At either side cf those windows, the
gudgeons for tha iron shutters are still visible. The toothed and dentil led
brick pattern of the roof cornice, a later addition, gives a lively enrichment
to tho facade,,

No., 2 7 0 ^

Erected betwgen 1836 and 1840, this fivo-story brick building is one of
the many Grsek Revival warehouses in the District, Large granite piers flank
the three ground floor openings and support a simple granite architrave with
cornice. Paneled double doers at the northernmost bay Isad to the upper floors,
In keeping with the standard Greek Revival design, the tall windows of the
second story contrast with tho shorter ones at the upper stories. A corbeled
brick roof cornice, with fascia, crows3-th® facade. A granite trough, which once
carried off the rain water of tha .downspout from tha rain gutter at the roof,
remains at sidewalk level In front of the buildina.

Nos. 272-274.

These two lots were originally occupied by three buildings—two structures ,

at No. 272 and one at No„ 274- -~ each three storios In height.. The present
twin five-story warehouses ware constructed in 1867. The cast-iron store-
fronts, characteristic of the period, are particularly . handsome. Paneled cast-
iron square columns with large decorative motifs at mid-height support bread
openings with flat arches curved at the ends. • At the upper stories of No. 272,
many of the sheet metal lintels, with egg-and-dart moldings, remain, as do the
metal sills sst on ornate iron brackets. The windows of No, 274 were undoubtedly
once decorated in a similar manner. The simple modillioned metal roof cornice
v
remains only at No. 274.
No, 276. This site is now an empty.lot.

EAST SIDE ( ' ' ' . - . '

No, 257-259. .This building Is described vr.ter 21-23 Pack Slip.

No. 261-263.

This brick building, set above a granite base,is six windows wide.- It was
erected in 1847 and occupied by Thomas Otis Leroy & Co., makers of lead pipe.
Large granite piers, typical of the Greek Revival, support a smooth granite
lintel with-simple cornice set beneath a continuous granite window sill. At
the three upper stories, the gudgeons for the original iron shutters are still
In place at either side of the windows. These windows have simple stone lintels
and sills. A- simple brick fascia extends across the facade balow the unornamenttjd
• roof cornice.
No, 265-267.

The building now occupying this site was designed as a cracker bakery in
16/72 from designs by architect Charles Miltein for William Treadwell. A
towering eight stories in height, this brick structure contests noticeably
with the earlier, lower buildings on Water Street. Although the first floor
has been altered, the upper stories retain many of their original features,
including an impressive set of iron shutters at all of the windows. The hand
some facade is further enhanced by a fine modi I Iionad cornice.

Mo. 269.

This site is now occupied by" a one-story brick, garage with an empty lot to
the south of it. In the 18th century, William Walton, who owned the outstanding
mansion of 1752 on Pearl Street, had his wharf and boat house on this site.
Later, after Water Street was filled-in, Walton's nephew, Abraham, had his house:
end shop here. In the 19th csntury, a warehouse was erected on this site and
housed the plumbing firm of Thom3S Dusenbery,

No. 271.

This brick building of 1875 replaces'a lata 18th - century house and shop
that was once part of a pair with the still extant building at No. 273. Both
were of frame construction with brick fronts and shared a low ground floor .
cartway which led to the wharf in the rear. Tha present structure was built
by Marc Eidlitz, a building contractor and nephew of the well-known New York
architect, Leopold Eidlitz, who designed St. George's Church on Stuyvesant
Square, a designated New York' City Landmark. The building displays a fine
cast-iron storefront with paneled square columns supporting an architrave with
cornice. Indicative of the comparatively late date of this building are the
window sills set on corbel blocks and the lintels with cap moldings. These
features greatly enliven the facade. In contrast, howevor, the dentil led brie!;
roof cornice with pansled fascia is a Greek Revival feature, retarcataire at
this late date.

No. 273.

The oldest and one of tha most important buildings in the Historic District
is the small Captain Joseph Rose house. The building, of brick with frame
sides, was originally throe stories high with a pitched roof. An exact date
for the erection of Rose's building is difficult to establish. As early as
1773, Rose was listed as owner of this Water Street property. Since he spent
much of his time away at sea, transporting mahogany from the Eay of Honduras to
sell in New York, Rose rented out his Water Street property. Advertisements
for the rental of a building owned by Rose, which was described as "a very
convenient house for either a merchant or any person that has a large femily",
appeared In Gaines Gazatte and Weekly Mercury during 1773. However, in 1781
a hand-written note in the banker Survey, now at the Mew York Historical Society,
describes the owner of 271 Water, Mr, Laight, as "now building". A drawing in
this survey shows Captain Rose's property adjacent to that of Mr. Laight. Since
it is believed thai Mos. 271 and 273 were erected as a pair, sharing a common
cartway, it may be that Rose's house was not built until 1781. If this is the
case, the advertisements of 1773 may have described an earlier building on the
site. The two buildings, Nos. 271 and 273, were certainly standing by 1793,
when the cartway between them was paved. After 1796, Rose's son, | s a a c r a n
an apothecary shop here. At the death of Captain Rose, the building was.seId
to Ulisha King, a lawyer, who also rented out the rooms. In 1812 a shoe store
was located on the ground floor and later the building was operated as a small
hotel and saloon famed for its staged rat fights.

The original entranceway to the Rose house was probably at the northernmost
bay, where a single brownstone lintel remains. The southernmost bay of the
building is the original site of the cartway. Above the brownstone belt course
dividinn.the first and second stories, the original facade of Flemish bond brick-
work may still be seen. It is the only remaining original portion of the front
of this early building. The splayed brownstone lintels at the second floor
windows distinguish this story from the later ones above. In addition, two of
the windows at the second story retain their original wood sills. The stone band
course above the second story probably also dates from the late 18th century, but

-37-
WATER STREET ,

the original third story and peaked roof were destroyed by fire in 1904,The wall,
therefore, above this second band course dates from some time after 1904. It is
crowned by en ornamental brick cornice with dentils. Unfortunately a fire in 1976
greatly damaged the interior of this improtant building.

No. 275. . #

In sharp contrast to its southern neighbor, No. 275 is an example of late

19th-century commercial architecture and towers over the 13th century Rose house.
Built in 1896 from designs by architect J.M, Farnsworth, the building has cast-
iron vertical members and pressed sheet metal spandrel panels. It stands eight
stories high and is six bays wide. The ground floor has been considerably
altered, although the principal cast-iron square columns are still in place.
Each of the upper stories is flanked at its side by cast-iron paneled'
square columns, while grooved cast-iron square, columns are set between the two-
over-two double-hung window sash. The spandrel panels of alternating foliate
and geometric patterns greatly enliven the facade.' The most ornate soandre)
occurs above the eighth floor and displays elaborate swags on either aide of an
embellished cartouche form. Crowning this early skyscraper structure is a
deeply projecting sheet metal cornice carried on console brackets,

No. 277. (

Three two-story high frame buildings occupied this site until at least 1870.
The present building was erected in ISSl by Gib!in and Lyons, the contracting
firm of Jeremiah C. Lyonsjwho was a prominent New York City builder and developer.
This building is somewhat similar to 271 Wester Street, erected, in 1875 by
Merc Eidiitz,. The cast-iron storefronts of both buildings have paneled square
columns supporting a cast-iron architrave with ecrntefc,, The four upper stories
of brick are enhanced by molded stone window lintels. Seme of the windows still
have the gudgeons for the iron shutters. This building has a retardataire
appearance with its six-over-six sash and dentil led brick cornice,

No/279..

Thought to have been constructed ?n ISO!, this building is the only extant
wood frame building in the Historic District, Oespite the fire hazards and *
building department regulations, a great many frame buildings were allowed to
stand on the filled lend of Water Street until the 1940s, it was believed that
the. landfill could not support the wetpht.of brick buildings, so special a'l lowances
were occasionally made for these lighter wood structures. Owned originally by •
a grocer, Peter loring, the building was used for commercial purposes until 1888,
whan it was converted to a three-family dwelling. At this time its peaked roof
was lowered to the present one. The present exterior dates totally from the I6S8
remodeling. A handsome corbeled wood cornice extending along both sides of the
building crowns.the ground floor, which has been substantially altered since
1888. The entrance door is recessed at the corner, of the ground floor and an
elegant fluted cast-iron column supports the walls above. The two upper stories
are sheathed with novelty siding of the Victorian period, and are enriched by
finely detailed wood window lintels. The paneled roof cornice is carried on
small, evenly-spaced grooved brackets,

-38-
FINDINGS AND DESIGNATIONS ,
I^B II—Sill I " ^ l •••• •S.B! M , | llllimilB^—M—Wl l « W " • • " ' '

On the basis of a .careful consideration of the history, the architecture

and other features of this ares, the; Landmarks Preservation Commission finds
that the South Street Seaport Historic District contains buildings and other
Improvements which have a special character snd special historical and
aesthetic Interest and value and which represent one or more periods or style?
of architecture typical of one or more eras In the history of Hew York City
and which cause this area, by reason of these factors, to constitute a
distinct section of the City.

The Commission further finds that, among Its Important qualities, the
South Street Seaport Historic District retains much of Its early 19th-century
character, which recalls the time when the seaport sr^a was an Important part
of the leading port of the nation; that some of.the buildings of the District
are among the oldest standing In Manhattan; that the mercantile history of the
area Is reflected In the handsome counting-houses which once were occupied by
such prominent 19th century merchants ss Peter Schermerhorn, Josiah Hacy, and
Ablel Abbot Low; that the buildings of the District are fine and representative
examples of 19th century American commercial architecture; that many of these
structures ware designed in a dignified and restrained version of the popular
Greek Revival style, and that these buildings are among the few, of this once
prevalent building type, to survive in New York City; that a number of the
structures in the District have bean carefully restored by the South Street
Seaport Museum, which has done much to aid In the rcvitalization of the Seaport
area; that the Seaport today functions as an Important cultural enclave In
lower Manhattan, drawing tourists to view the many ships and boats docked
at the piers along South Street and the small-scale brick buildings which con-
trast dramticaiiy with the soaring skyscrapers nearby; and that the South
Street Seaport Historic District serves as an Important reminder of the early
ccssne re I al development and history of Hew York City.

Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6j of the Charter of the

City of New York and Chapter 8-A of tho Administrative Code of the Cfty of New
York, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designates as an Historic District
the South Street Seaport Historic District, Borough of HanhattfiR, containing
the property bounded by Dover Street, South Street, the northern property line
and part of the eastern property line cf the Fulton Market (Block 73, Lot 1t),
the northern property line of Block 73, Let 10, the eastern property lines of
Block 73>Lots'1Q, 8, and 2, the southern property Hree of Slock 73. Lot 2,
South Street, part of the southern^part of th& eastern and part of the southern
property lines of 84-85 South Street, the eastern and southern property lines
of 165 Front Strast, Front Street, Fulton Street, and Pearl Street to Dover
Street.

-39-
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Albion, Robert Greenhalgh. The Rise of New York Port (1815-1860). New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970.
Bixby, William. South Street, New York's Seaport Museum. New York: David
McKay Co., 1972.
Dodge, William Earl. "A Great Merchant's Recollections of Old New York,
1818-1880," Valentine's Manual, Vol. 5, Henry Collins Brown, ed., New York:
The Chauncey Holt Co., 1921.
Floyd-Jones, Thomas. Backward Glances: Reminiscences of an Old New Yorker.
19^1.
Hamlin, Talbot. Greek Revival Architecture In America. New York: Dover.
Publications, 19&U.
Janvier, Thomas A. In Old New York. 189^.
New York State, Division for Historic Preservation. Schermerhorn Row Block:
A Preliminary Historic Structures Report. New York: Office of Parks
and Recreation, 197^.
Roberts, Leah and Stetnke, Nancy. Inventory of Structures tn the Brooklyn
Bridge Southeast Urban Renewal Area. 1968.
Rosebrock, Ellen Fletcher. Walking Around In South Strset. New York: South
Street Seaport Museum,
__. Proposed South Street Seaport Historic District.
137i» draft of report.
[ . Counting-house Days In South Street. New York:
South Street Seaport Museum, 1975.
Scovllle, Joseph A. The Old Merchants of New York. New York: Carleton
Publisher, 1870.
Sheldon, G.W. "Old Packet and CUppar Service," Harpers Magazine, LXVIM, 188^,
217-237. ;—:
Shumway, Floyd M. Seaport City - Hew York In 1775. New York: South Street
Seaport Museum, 1975.
South Street Seaport Reporter: The Newsletter of the South Street Seaport
Museum.
Stokes, I. N. Phelps. Iconography of Manhattan Island. New York: Robert H.
Dodd, 1915. v
Wilson, Rufus Rockwell. New York: Old and New, Its Story, Streets and Landmarks.
Vol. II, Philadelphia: J. B. Llpplncott Co., 1909.

Conveyance records, survey and tract reports (Office of the Register)

Tax assessment records (Municipal Archives and Record Center)
Building and alteration plans, building and alteration dockets from 1866 on.
(Department of Buildings)
-40-