Schermerhorn Building ca. 1979 Built in 1888, the Schermerhorn Building's six stories were impressively tall for the time and its massing is, as the designation report states, “unusually imposing.” And although six-story buildings are a dime a dozen today, there is indeed something still very impressive and commanding about the Schermerhorn Building. The dark brown brick piers and ornamental sandstone corners combine to create a real heft at the ground level, and all the trappings of its Romanesque Revival style convey a solidness and strength. But it is also a brilliantly balanced building – the very solid and weighty ground level lifts upward toward arched windows that terminate high above Lafayette on the fourth floor, where its dark brown brick becomes a lighter, tan color. And all over the building, whimsical and playful ornamentation save the building from feeling too serious or foreboding. And it’s no wonder that the building is designed so expertly – its architect, Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, also designed The Dakota Apartments and the Plaza Hotel, two other revered New York City landmarks.

Schermerhorn Building ARCHITECT: Henry J. Hardenbergh DATE: 1888-89 The 376-380 Lafayette Street Building is one of the truly outstanding manufacturing buildings of the late 19th century in the City. Particular artistry is evident in its careful massing and in the color of its ornamental brick and sandstone detail. These qualities of design were unusual for a building of this type at this time. It has a distinctive arrangement of windows and it is one of the outstanding loft buildings in the City.

Schermerhorn Building, ca. 1979. The Schermerhorn Building was erected in 1888 for William C. Schermerhorn. Constructed to the plans of Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, also the architect of the Plaza Hotel and Dakota Apartment, the building was designed in a Romanesque Revival style on the site of the former Schermerhorn Mansion. The loft building was rented to a manufacturer of boys’ clothing upon its completion. The building remained in the Schermerhorn family until about 1915. In the years that followed, particularly in the 1930s, the use of the space shifted multiple times. The factory was converted into an office building in 1931, and for a short-period, also served as a dormitory and dining room operated by the City’s Department of Welfare. The building reverted back to its original use of manufacturing in 1943, and today, it remains in commercial use above the ground floor.

Construction on the IRT East Side Line (later the IRT Lexington Avenue Line, 4/5/6 trans) on Lafayette Street, January 3, 1901. The Schermerhorn Building at the corner of Great Jones Street is just out of frame to the left. No 382 Lafayette, an 1890s steel-framed warehouse-loft building erected for Edward Judson is the building at extreme left.