51 Market Street House

History and architecture

The 51 Market Street House is a very fine urban example of the Late Federal Style of architecture. This house exemplifies the architecture of the newly-created Republic, superceding the heavier Georgian Style. This four-story brick building has many interesting architectural details. Above the windows are their original panelled lintels on the first three floors. The lintels are more elaborate than is usual s being enriched with both panels and rosettes. The basement windows are framed with a rusticated architrave composed of alternating smooth and textured blocks of stone. Most of the exterior ironwork is original. It is in the Federal tradition and is largely wrought iron in contrast to later Greek Revival work which also used cast iron.

The front entrance of the house is of extreme importance : both the outer and inner original doorways are intact. This is one of the few complete Late Federal Period doorways of this quality within the City. The doorway has a moulded elliptical stone arch and consists of an eight - panelled door flanked by fluted Ionic columns s leaded glass side-lights and similar half-columns next to a stone frame. A handsome leaded glass fanlight is set above the top of the door frame. The doorway is further enriched by a series of finely detailed moldings. This outstanding building is admirable preserved and is basically a yardstick by which other houses of the period may be judged today. Fifty-One Market Street was built during a period of great architectural achievement, and New York City is fortunate that it has survived.