51 First Avenue Building Date : 1869 Original Use : Residential Original Owner : J. Gessenes Original Architect : Louis Burger Description & Building Alterations This five-story pre-law tenement was built in 1869 and designed by Louis Burger of Bruno W. Berger & Son, who also designed the buildings at Nos. 53, 55 and 57 First Avenue, for owner J. Gessenes. The facade features projecting beltcourses, window lintels and sills, and a bracketed cornice.