163 John Street Building

History and architecture

In 1836, when this building was erected, its address was Curling Slip, rather than John Street. The extra width of John Street between Front Street and the East River reflects the earlier existence of the actual Slip. The Slip was filled in in 1835, and the development of 159-163 John Street and 189 Front Street is probably related to that event.

The present 165 John Street, though considerably altered is a very early building (1811), hence was here when the Slip was filled and the corner buildings, here described, are replacements of buildings which also were here when the Slip was in existence. We know that construction of the 1836 buildings was begun in 1835, and we may perhaps assume that this was before the Slip was filled. (These earlier buildings were owned by Anson G. Phelps, founder of Phelps, Dodge and Company.)

However we nay account for the preservation of the outlines of the old Slip, it is a happy circumstance, for if the most important feature in the history of this part of New York is the fact that It was the center of our burgeoning foreign commerce, then, the slips are as significant as the buildings. This particular Slip happens to be lined with superb buildings, and the extra width of the street adds to their prominence.

159-163 John Street deserves prominence, for, apart from its historical associations, it is an excellent building. Its architectural elements are held to a minimum, yet they are so well harmonized, the touch is so deft, that the building, a simple commercial building, may properly be called elegant. It is classically (i.e. perfectly) Greek Revival in style, the base and ground floor of granite with the typical; but here somewhat superior, square granite columns and large show windows.

The four original upper stories are of brick with plain granite window lintels and sills. The plain brick fascia of the original cornice remains above the fifth floor windows, and above it is what we may assume to be a slightly later one-story addition. The latter is, fortunately very sympathetically executed, and hardly, if at all, detracts from the quality of the total structure. A picture of it appears in Ada Louise Huxtable's Classic New York.