DeVinne Press Building

History and architecture

As a commercial structure the DeVinne Press Building established a milestone both aesthetically and structurally for American commercial buildings in New York City. This eight story brick structure with terra-cotta trim, designed in the Romanesque style, is a bold example of architectural inventiveness wedded to commercial enterprise. As a masonry bearing-wall elevator building of the 1880's prior to the introduction of skeleton steel construction that was to follow, it has great architectural distinction and prestige. It was the forerunner of a good number of commercial buildings which were considerably influenced by its design.

Solid in mass ,and sound in construction, the architectural elements, displayed in its two fronts, have unusual cohesion and unity in their composition. The elevations display interesting contrasts of round and segmental arch windows. Particularly handsome features of this building are the three story high deeply recessed window arches and the corner treatment (quoins) at the rounded corner of the building. The low pitched roof expressed by a brick gable-end and round arched attic windows is a pleasing feature of this dignified commercial brick building.

Talbot Hamlin, the architectural historian, refers to the DeVinne Press building as "an exquisitely and originally detailed building in brick and terra-cotta, a typical example of that flurry of real originality that eddies through much of the best building of the 1880's and 90's." Among its important qualities, the• DeVinne Press building is an outstanding example of an 1880 American commercial building, that its excellent brick work and fine terra-cotta detail is of superior quality, that the building has great prestige and architectural distinction and that it is of historical importance as the home of one of the most noted printing establishments in the country.

Among its important qualities, the DeVinne Press building is an outstanding example of an 1880 American commercial building, that its excellent brick work and fine terra-cotta detail is of superior quality, that the building has great prestige and architectural distinction and that it is of historical importance as the home of one of the most noted printing establishments in the country.