145 8th Avenue House

History and architecture

These modest rowhouses at 145-147 Eighth Avenue are a pair of highly intact 3 1/2 story Federal style houses constructed 1827 for owner Aaron Dexter, a dry goods merchant, who retained ownership of the property until 1846.

At the time of its completion they were situated between Greenwich Village and Chelsea. They have continuously housed both residential tenants and businesses, reflecting the evolving commercial character of Eighth Avenue. Over the course of centuries, the original storefront configuration of the ground floor has had several alterations, most notably the historic 1940 arcaded shop front.

These row houses are intact above its storefront and exhibits all of the attributes of Federal style houses of the era. The building has a steeply pitched roof with double dormer windows, shares a party wall and central chimney with its neighbor, and a façade clad in Flemish bond brickwork. The windows on the second and third floors have flat stone lintels and sills. No. 145, together with 147 Eighth Avenue is among the rare extant significantly intact Federal style houses with a commercial ground floor that have survived north of 14th Street.