36 Dominick Street House

History and architecture

The 36 Dominick Street House was one of twelve Federal style brick row houses (Nos. 28 to 50) built c. 1826 on the south side of Dominick Street between Hudson and Varick Streets; and was one of five houses (Nos. 28 to 36) constructed by builder Smith Bloomfield. A secession of tenants lived in the house while owned by Bloomfield and it was sold by the executors of his estate to Ira C. Horton in 1866.

The house retains its Federal style Flemish bond brickwork. It was raised to a full third story with Flemish bond brickwork at the third story and an Italianate style cornice c. 1866. The house’s distinctive double doors, molded window lintels and areaway fence and gate date from this period. The addition of a full story is a typical alteration that many owners of Federal-era houses made at that time.

The construction of the Holland Tunnel (1919-27) necessitated the condemnation of several lots at the center of the block and the raising of Dominick Street. As a result of its construction, trucking traffic increased and large loft buildings were constructed in the neighborhood. The 36 Dominick Street House is a relatively rare surviving Manhattan town houses of the Federal style and period with Italianate style alterations. It is also notable as being one of only four remaining (Nos. 32 to 38 Dominick Street) Federal-era row houses on a block that once was lined with brick row houses, and one of the three (Nos. 32 to 36 Dominick Street) relatively intact remaining houses in the row.