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Astor Building · 147 Mercer Street
Astor Building
Astor Building

[Hotel Mercer, 99 Prince Street, across the street from Fanelli Cafe.]

Printed from an earlier photograph taken around 1975.

IMAGE DATE2000
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Mercer Hotel, ca. 1975.

Commissioned by John Jacob Astor III for his office and business, the Romanesque Revival structure was completed in 1888 to the plans of architects William Schickel and Isaac E. Ditmars. Owing to its wealthy patron, the Astor Building was considerably more ornate than its industrial neighbors. This building is perhaps best known for its more recent history; in 1997 hotelier André Balazs opened the Mercer Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel of 75 rooms.

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