5 West 16th Street Building

History and architecture

The bow-fronted house at No. 5 West 16th Street, constructed c. 1846, serves as a distinctive reminder of the period when this section of Manhattan, near Union Square, was a fashionable neighborhood filled with handsome residences. This brick house with its generous width and elegant curved front is a finely-designed example of the Greek Revival Style; the unusual bow front is a feature more commonly found on houses in Boston dating from earlier in the nineteenth century.

The eared and battered entrance surround, executed in stone, is a distinguishing architectural feature initially derived from Egyptian sources that was popular in Greek Revival rowhouse designs during the 1840s. This house is one of a group of nine residences constructed under the terms of a restrictive agreement which governed the use and overall design of the buildings to ensure that this block of West 16th Street would develop as a fine residential street.

During the late-nineteenth century and early-twentieth century the character of the area changed from purely residential to one of mixed commercial and residential use. This house has maintained its simple elegance and residential character, though adapted to meet the commercial requirements of the neighborhood.