The Lincoln Building

History and architecture

A classic example of the layered arcade design solution, a solution in which New York pioneered, the Romanesque Revival Lincoln Building is representative of an important transitional phase in the history of tall buildings. It was constructed in 1889-901 and was designed by the well-known New York architect R. H. Robertson.

Using interior metal skeleton skyscraper construction in combination with traditional masonry bearing walls, the building is executed in limestone, granite, and brick, and has exceptionally fine carved and terra cotta detail — which includes the corner griffin, acanthus scrolls, Byzantine capitals, crisp moldings, human and lion heads — that is effectively placed on both the Union Square West facade and on the 14th-Street elevation.

The block on which the Lincoln Building stands was originally part of the Henry Spingler farm, and the land, which was let on long leases, remained in the Spingler family's possession until 1958.The Lincoln Building, which replaced four smaller structures, was constructed for a Mr. Crawford, who was listed as the "owner" on the New Building Application and who may have been a trustee for the Spingler-Van Buren family's interests or connected with the lessee.

The Lincoln Building is prominently situated on the northwest corner of 14th street and Union Square West, considered the most desirable side of the square "probably because for all practical purposes it really was Broadway." Its early tenants included a wide variety of businesses and occupations — from the Eyelet Buttonhole Attachment Co. to a number of firms involved in building trades, as well as the offices of architects, including that of Alfred Zucker.