28 East 14th Street was built in 1881. Early in its history, the ground floor was occupied by the store of prominent piano dealer Jeremiah M. Pelton. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

The original 6-story building at 64-68 University Place, which forms the northern two-thirds of the current building, originally served as the factory and office of Hazelton Brothers, a piano manufacturing firm.

Hazelton Piano, c. 1890 The firm was located at this address for a half-century, from 1869 to 1919. Its presence here speaks to this area’s prior historic significance as a center of the piano manufacturing industry. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

127-135 Fourth Avenue was the longtime home of Hammacher Schlemmer & Co. from 1904 until 1926. The company was New York City’s first hardware store. However, some of the most important products sold by the business, as described in its early catalogs, were piano materials.

Hammacher Schlemmer Catalog, 1912 When Hammacher Schlemmer & Co. outgrew its prior location on the Bowery (by the end of the 19th century it was operating out of No. 209), it was no coincidence that the business decided to move closer to the neighborhood south of Union Square. This newly-bustling commercial district had become a key site in the piano trade and would be a perfect home for the growing hardware store. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

In the late 1890s to early 1900s Alfred Dolge and Son, prominent piano felt manufacturers, had offices at 110-112 East 13th Street. The American Felt Company was also located here as early as 1903. This business was founded in Newburgh, New York in 1899, and was formed from smaller companies from several different states. In 1906, the American Felt Company constructed their headquarters next door at 114-118 East 13th Street, but continued to operate out of 110-112 East 13th Street site as well. Uniquely, the American Felt Company produced every type of felt including that which was used for piano strikers.

Steinway advertisement, 1922 It’s no coincidence that this location was chosen by both companies given its proximity to a number of piano manufacturers in this area towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, including Steinway on the north side of Fourteenth Street. The American Felt Company was the primary felt producer for Steinway, one of the largest and most prestigious piano manufacturers in the world. In the 1920s, The American Piano Supply Company was located at 110-112 East 13th Street. The prominent hardware store Hammacher Schlemmer (at 127-135 Fourth Avenue) purchased the company in 1927, renaming it the American Piano Supply Co., Division of Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co. In 1954, the company was sold again to John Schadler & Sons. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

The classically-inspired loft building at 114-118 East 13th Street was built by and for the American Felt Company, a major player in the piano industry which had such a dominant role in the neighborhood south of Union Square. This business was founded in Newburgh, New York in 1899, and was formed from smaller companies from several different states. As early as 1903, the company occupied the neighboring building 110 East 13th Street, where they would also remain even after the construction of their headquarters here in 1906.

Steinway advertisement, 1922 Uniquely, the American Felt Company produced every type of felt including that which was used for piano strikers. It’s no coincidence that this location was chosen by the company given its proximity to a number of piano manufacturers in this area towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, including Steinway on the north side of Fourteenth Street. The American Felt Company was the primary felt producer for Steinway, one of the largest and most prestigious piano manufacturers in the world. The building’s stone two-story base features sheep’s heads above the second floor centered on the two outer bays, an homage to the animals which provided the raw material for felt production. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Lithographer R. Teller was located at 136 East 13th Street, now combined with 134 East 13th Street, in the late 19th century. Teller’s work, which largely includes illustrated piano sheet music, is now held at the Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection of the Johns Hopkins Libraries & Museums, the NYPL Digital Collections, UC Berkeley, and the Smithsonian. The presence of R. Teller here is emblematic of the neighborhood’s history as a hub of art and piano manufacturing. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

102 and 104 Third Avenue is a five story commercial building constructed in 1838 for Ebenezer Pray. It appears the building was originally constructed as a “Pianoforte (Piano) Factory,” and was altered over the years. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

As early as 1860, a piano factory was located at 201-213 East 12th Street. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .