85 Sullivan Street Building

History and architecture

This Federal style house, and its neighbor No. 83, have unusually fine doorways which were generally the most important architectural features of the houses of this period. Elegant and understated, they typify the "architecture of good breeding.'' What is unusual about these two doorways is that, after 150 years, they are the earliest complete Federal doorways remaining in Manhattan, despite the fact that the panels of the door at Po. 85 have been slightly altered. Together, they illustrate another important element of Federal design: a careful attention to scale. 85 Sullivan Street is narrower than No. 83, and its doorway is treated more simply. (For the description of No. 83 Sullivan Street see Report on LP-0643.)

A beautiful leaded transom, above the door, is the outstanding feature of the doorway. The reveals and molding around the doorway are reeded and the upper corners are finished with small blocks, a typical Federal detail. The stone lintels over the doorway and some of the windows and windowsills have been covered with sheetnietal, but the stone water table exhibits the original fine tooling. Other important Federal elements are the Flemish bond of the brickwork, the six-over-six pane windows and the wrought iron railings a the low stoop and areaway. The railing, ornamented only at the platform of the stoop, and the acorns topping the spindles of the areaway railing are typical designs. The roof was raised to three full stories in 1874 when a cornice supported on closely spaced modillions was added.