The ten-story loft building at 78 Fifth Avenue was constructed in 1896 by architect Albert Wagner.

Image from Bloomingdale's fashion catalogue, 1890 Wagner received this commission from fellow German immigrants Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale, the founders of Bloomingdale’s Department Store, for which this building served as the corporate offices. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

No. 10 East 14th Street is located within the 14th Street corridor, which underwent enormous shifts in the 1870s, transitioning from a high-end residential neighborhood to a center of commerce. This change was largely influenced by developer, businessman, and politician W. Jennings Demorest, who altered fourteen private residences in this neighborhood into stores, most of them high-end specialty shops.

Demorest’s Illustrated Monthly Magazine and Mme Demorest’s Mirror of Fashions, April 1865 Along with his wife, Ellen Demorest, W. Jennings Demorest was responsible for building a fashion empire, which included “Madame Demorest’s Fashion Emporium” and the publication Demorest’s Illustrated Monthly Magazine and Mme Demorest’s Mirror of Fashions. By 1884, Demorest purchased the building at 10 East 14th Street, as he had so many along 14th Street, inserted a show window in the parlor floor, and converted the upper stories into offices and studios. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

For decades before its conversion to residential use in 1979, 6 East 13th Street housed the offices of “Women’s Wear Daily” (WWD).

"Women's Wear" (later "Women's Wear Daily"), 1910 The publication has been called “the Bible of Fashion.” Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

The renowned fashion designer Jessie Franklin Turner established workrooms and showrooms at 4 and 6 East 12th Street beginning in 1919, when much of this area and the buildings to the east were used as fur storehouses.

Turner’s move to East 12th Street was a key transitional moment in her career, when she started working fewer hours for Bonwit Teller & Company and devoting herself to her independent design work.

Jessie Franklin Turner, 1954 According to a 1919 article by Morris De Camp Crawford, Design Editor of Women’s Wear, Turner – using the label Winifred Warren Inc. – hoped to create a custom salon and craft guild to train young artists and teachers at this new location.

Harper's Bazaar model wearing a tea gown under a cafè-au-lait chiffon coat, by Jessie Franklin Turner, April 1938 Known especially for her tea gowns and internationally-inspired textiles, Turner was a key player in the emergence of the high-fashion industry in New York during the First World War through to its transition to Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. The “King of Fashion” Paul Poiret once called Turner “the only designer of genius in the United States,” and she is remembered today as the first American couturier. Turner is all the more highly revered for her successful fashion business, which lasted until 1942 and had its origins at 4 and 6 East 12th Street. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of these and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

German immigrants Bernhard and Emma A. Mittelstaedt purchased No. 86 University Place in 1889 for both their family residence and to house their business, E. Mittelstaedt, Inc., which sold women’s hair products. New York City directories first show the family business of importing and wholesaling human hair during the 1870s under Bernard’s name at a Canal Street location. Long before the advent of synthetic wigs, elaborate coiffed wigs and hair pieces were very much in demand by Victorian women, and this proved a lucrative endeavor for the Mittelstaedts. By the 1880s the family had moved their home and business to 5 Wooster Street. Shortly after the move, Emma filed a patent for a new and improved women’s front hair piece. The patent was filed in November of 1881 and issued in February of 1882 for “an improved construction of hair-fronts for ladies’ use, whereby they can be finished in a neater and more durable manner, more easily secured to the hair, and worn with or without parting, as desired.”

In 1889, according to the Real Estate Record and Builders Guide, the Mittelstaedts purchased the property at 86 University Place. The initial conveyance was in Emma’s name as were some of the subsequent alteration permits. Presumably at some point after the Mittlestaedts bought the building in 1889, the elaborate cornice and pediment that we still see today on the building which proudly boasts “E. Mittelstaedt, Established 1867” appeared. The 1900 Federal census shows that the Mittelstaedts rented part of No. 86 to tenants, a tradition that would continue through the 20th century by their heirs. In 1905, an approximately 40 foot rear extension was added at the first floor, which at that time was being used as a store. Emma died in 1908 and Bernard in 1917, but shortly before Bernard’s passing, New York City directories show the firm expanded its operation into the still-extant commercial loft building next door at No. 84 University Place. Patents and advertisements illustrate the company continuing to operate at No. 84 under the leadership of his children after Bernard’s death. Meanwhile Bernard and Emma’s daughters, Emma and Harriet, continued to live at No. 86 while renting some floors to tenants. The last Mittelstaedt to occupy No. 86 was Harriet, who donated the family home to New York University in 1958 with the condition that she could live there for the rest of her life, which she did until her death in 1964. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

German immigrants Bernhard and Emma A. Mittelstaedt purchased No. 86 University Place in 1889 for both their family residence and to house their business, E. Mittelstaedt, Inc., which sold women’s hair products. New York City directories first show the family business of importing and wholesaling human hair during the 1870s under Bernard’s name at a Canal Street location. Long before the advent of synthetic wigs, elaborate coiffed wigs and hair pieces were very much in demand by Victorian women, and this proved a lucrative endeavor for the Mittelstaedts. By the 1880s the family had moved their home and business to 5 Wooster Street. Shortly after the move, Emma filed a patent for a new and improved women’s front hair piece. The patent was filed in November of 1881 and issued in February of 1882 for “an improved construction of hair-fronts for ladies’ use, whereby they can be finished in a neater and more durable manner, more easily secured to the hair, and worn with or without parting, as desired.” In 1889, according to the Real Estate Record and Builders Guide, the Mittelstaedts purchased the property at 86 University Place. The initial conveyance was in Emma’s name as were some of the subsequent alteration permits. Presumably at some point after the Mittlestaedts bought the building in 1889, the elaborate cornice and pediment that we still see today on the building which proudly boasts “E. Mittelstaedt, Established 1867” appeared. The 1900 Federal census shows that the Mittelstaedts rented part of No. 86 to tenants, a tradition that would continue through the 20th century by their heirs. In 1905, an approximately 40 foot rear extension was added at the first floor, which at that time was being used as a store. Emma died in 1908 and Bernard in 1917, but shortly before Bernard’s passing, New York City directories show the firm expanded its operation into the still-extant commercial loft building next door at No. 84 University Place. Patents and advertisements illustrate the company continuing to operate at No. 84 under the leadership of his children after Bernard’s death. Meanwhile Bernard and Emma’s daughters, Emma and Harriet, continued to live at No. 86 while renting some floors to tenants. The last Mittelstaedt to occupy No. 86 was Harriet, who donated the family home to New York University in 1958 with the condition that she could live there for the rest of her life, which she did until her death in 1964. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Most of 837 Broadway’s early tenants were clothing manufacturers, and during these early decades the primary tenant was Hackett, Carhart & Co. This men’s clothier had its salesrooms on the first and second floors and its merchandise on the seventh and eighth floors. The building was so tied to this company that until 1910 it was referred to by many as the Hackett, Carhart Building. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing was located at 833 Broadway.

Wheeler & Wilson four motion feed sewing machine, 1853 Allan Wilson invented some of the first successful sewing machines and revolutionized clothing manufacturing. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Not long after it was constructed in 1866, 827-829 Broadway served as the headquarters and showroom of Wilson Sewing Machines. Allen Wilson invented the sewing machine in 1850, and his company revolutionized the process by which clothing was manufactured and repaired. During the time Wilson Sewing was located here, the company grew exponentially, dramatically changing the landscape of American manufacturing and domestic life.

Wheeler & Wilson four motion feed sewing machine, 1853 It was during this time period that Wilson Sewing Machines were awarded the Imperial Order of Francis Joseph at the Vienna Exhibition of 1873, from over eighty one competitors from all parts of the world, and the Gold Medal of Honor of the American Institute, New York, in September 1873. Additional Prize Medals were awarded to the company at the International Exposition, Paris, 1861; the International Exhibition in London, 1862; and the Exposition Universalle Paris in 1868, 1878 and 1889. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

As with many other buildings along Broadway at the turn of the century, 817 Broadway housed clothing manufacturing businesses.

The building was designed for Meyer Jonasson & Company, cloak manufacturers, for a cost of $250,000. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, many of the floors of 840 Broadway were occupied by garment makers who ran factories, showrooms, and offices and sold shirtwaists, cloaks, dresses, suits, and children’s wear.

During this period, the ground floor of 840 Broadway was occupied by companies selling men’s clothing. From about 1899 until 1907, Thompson & Company leased this space. According to a 1901 advertisement, this store sold “haberdashery and hats, as well as men’s and youth’s clothing.” The men’s clothing company Lester & Lester moved in thereafter, followed by the raincoat and waterproof apparel store Goodyear Waterproof Company. Goodyear stayed here until 1953. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

During the shirt-waist strikes of 1909-1910, clothing-related factories at 836 Broadway included Freigat & Keim, which was picketed during this period. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Cloak makers Bauman and Sperling moved into 832-834 Broadway in 1899. Six Little Tailors Corp. and Joseph Skolny and Company then occupied the building until the 1920s. The building later housed apparel manufacturers including The Big Four Manufacturing Company, Goldstein & Levy, and Ashland Textile. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Amasa Lyon & Company Umbrella Manufacturers was located here around the turn of the last century.

Amasa Lyon & Company at 684 Broadway Of Amasa Lyon, King’s Handbook of New York said they “may not be the largest or oldest manufacturers of umbrellas parasols and walking sticks in this country, but there is no house in this industry that stands so prominent for the general high grade of its productions. A Lyon umbrella is indicative of taste durability and reliability as to shape and color. The familiar trade mark of the upright majestic lion’s head with the assuring legend of “Sans Varier” and the bold autograph of Amasa Lyon has become known everywhere. No trademark in its line is regarded as so valuable in this trade and no lines of umbrellas and parasols are so widely known as those of Amasa Lyon & Co….Anyone who has the opportunity of going through these factories becomes amazed at the infinite variety of articles used in the making and ornamenting of umbrellas, parasols, and canes: woods, metals, precious stones, ivories, horns, etc. and silks laces and various fabrics requiring for their proper use exquisite taste and great skill. These are the only manufacturers who in their own shops produce every part of the umbrella excepting the fabrics and frames, and even these are made on special orders with furnished designs and under exclusive arrangements…The Amasa Lyon productions rank equal to the highest grades of those made in foreign countries. On account of their high standing and reputation, the Lyon umbrellas parasols and canes were the only make sold on the grounds of the Columbian Exposition.” Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

810 Broadway was home to Charles S. Merton & Co. Clothing Manufacturers starting in 1915, makers of Merton Caps and Knickers. Merton co-founded and was President of the National Wholesalers Furnishing Association. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

In 1896, scarf and suspender-makers Weld, Colburn & Wilckens were located at 806-808 Broadway. Shortly thereafter, Hill Brothers ladies hat manufacturers moved in, followed by boys’ clothing makers Samuel W. Peck & Co. by 1905. This company stayed here at least until 1914, when another boys’ clothing maker moved in: Dubbelbilt Mackinaw.

Hill Brothers advertisement, undated By 1925, E. & R. Rosenberg, described as “one of the largest manufacturers of men’s clothing in the country,” had leased a space at 806-808 Broadway. In the 1930s, boys’ shirt-makers Lubell Bros. Mfg. Co. was located here, and in the 1940s, Criterion Shirt Band Co. moved in. Eastern Textiles Co. also found a home at 806-808 Broadway. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Ridabock & Co., manufacturers of and dealers in uniforms and equipment, was formerly located here.

Ridabock & Co. combination cap Today, their products are found in several renowned museums and institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New-York Historical Society, and the National Museum of American History. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Michael Gallagher opened the Art & Fashion Gallery, focusing on rare books, fashion, and photography, at 111 Fourth Avenue in September 2003. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

From at least the 1990s until 2008, the basement of 126-128 East 12th Street housed the legendary Gallagher’s Paper Collectibles. Owned by Michael Gallagher, the store sold vintage fashion magazines, photographs, and rare art books. Among Gallagher’s estimated one million total items, according to a 2007 Village Voice article, were a hundred years’ worth of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar issues. The city’s most renowned fashion designers, photographers, and art directors were said to come here for inspiration. The business’ customers included Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Steven Meisel, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Craig McDean, Bruce Weber, and Lauren Hutton. Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .

Charles Mishkin, described in a 1975 New York Times article as a “local pioneer of the army-navy store business,” started Hudson’s, originally a “cap shop,” at 97 Third Avenue in 1922. Offering context to the army-navy store model, the New York Times described that it “traces its origins to the release of military surplus after World War I, and its survival to its ability to adapt to changing conditions, needs and interests.” The article also quotes Eliot Mishkin, the store’s vice president and the son of its founder, remembering the day actress and singer Brigitte Bardot “came to the store and stood before a mirror modeling a pair of Navy surplus bell bottom denims and a ‘beat up’ leather jacket that were among the $200 worth of clothes she bought. ‘Bardot started the trend toward mod clothing,’ Mr. Mishkin asserts.” Nearly six decades after Charles Mishkin opened his store, a 1981 issue of New York Magazine announced the grand opening of Hudson’s, which had become a sporting goods, outdoor equipment, and clothing store. At this time, the store expanded across a whole block of Third Avenue from East 12th Street to East 13th Street. The headline read: “For the active New Yorker...Hudson’s city block of recreation equipment & clothing offers quite a workout.” Click here to send a letter supporting landmark designation of this and other historic buildings south of Union Square. . . .