168 First Avenue Building Date : 1838-39/1871 alt. Original Use : Residential Original Owner : R. L. Patterson(1838-39)/Mary Cummiskey(1871) Original Architect : Unknown(1838-39)/William Weissner(1871, builder)

This five-story tenement was originally built as a three story structure in 1838-39. During an alteration in 1871 the house was raised to four stories. The fifth story was added in 1891, in conjunction with the building at 170 First Avenue. The famed Italian restaurant Lanza has been at this site since 1904. Most of the interior elements are original to the 114 year old restaurant.

The present facade features a Queen Anne-style bracketed cornice with elevated center piece and paneled frieze, molded window lintels with decorated brackets, simple rectangular lintels, engaged pilasters flanking the main entrance, and a molded cornice above the first story.