Smith Building, ca. 1977.

Smith-Gray, was a popular manufacturer and retailer of boys and men’s clothing in New York City. In the mid 1870s they moved into a new building on the corner of South 8th Street and Bedford Avenue, after outgrowing a number of other spaces in the Williamsburg area. That four-story, iron-fronted structure, called the Lyceum Building, was destroyed in a fire in 1888.

The building that replaced the destroyed one is seen here at right. Called the Smith Building, it was designed by Peter J. Lauritzen, who would go on to construct other stores for the Smith-Gray Company.

The building was demolished in the late 20th century and today the lot (and those around it) are occupied by a large apartment house.