45-53 Charlton Street

This building was part of a row of private homes built in the 1820s by John Jacob Astor on the grounds of the colonial Richmond Hill estate, and shortly after sold to Trinity Church. In 1905, socialite and philanthropist Annie Leary purchased numbers 51 and 53 and established the Italian University and Plus X Art Institute and the Christopher Columbus Art Institute. The two buildings were combined in 1920 when Varick Street was widened for the Sixth Avenue subway and subsequently torn down in 1927.