Rowhouse Tour

Our research indicates that this 5-story building was constructed in 1838-40 as a 4-story rowhouse with a raised basement by John H. Cornell. Records show a John H. Cornell at this time who was a high-ranking officer at the Mechanic’s Banking Association on Wall Street. Before 68 Fifth Avenue was completed it was sold to N.H. Wolfe, indicating he was probably the first owner of the house. When constructed it was one of the many grand houses of Lower Fifth Avenue from the days of the street’s reign as the most prestigious residential address in New York.  It originally had a grand raised entrance with stairway leading to an impressive Greek Revival portico. Over the course of several alterations the original stoop has been removed, the entrance has been moved to the ground floor, and the façade has been stuccoed. 
Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square.
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In spite of massive waves of commercial construction, tenement building, and later hotel and apartment building construction which swept through this neighborhood, the area retains dozens of rowhouses from its early stages of development, dating from the early 1830s to the early 1850s. They range from modest to grand, most in the Greek Revival or Italianate style. Reflecting the vast forces of change which swept through the area, none remained single family houses, taking on new lives housing commerce, unions, theaters, art galleries, and multiple tenants. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square.