Building: DAVID S. BROWN STORE

David S Browne Store, 8 Thomas Street:
8 Thomas Street is one of the rare remaining examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture in New York City.

This was one of the first large-scale commercial developments in TriBeCa, built in 1875 for the soap manufacturer David S Browne. The architect J Morgan Slade also designed 109 Prince Street in SoHo and Castle Rock in Garrison NY.

This five-story Venetian Gothic style building displays a red brick façade and a cast-iron storefront. Polished granite columns, carved sandstone, contrasting stone arcades and a variety of decorative patterns and colors. The brick is sometimes laid diagonally, sometimes straight, and the large, round window on the last floor is surrounded by multi colored stones.

The building was designated a NYC landmark in 1978, and in 1980 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1984 the building was converted to house two floor-through art studios with connecting apartments, and a ground floor commercial space. In 2007, 8 Thomas Street was converted again this time in to five luxury condominium units.

The double-height ceilings, arched windows, and exposed brick of the original Gothic design have been kept intact, but the building now have modern amenities and additions: an elevator, high end appliances, French limestone, and central air conditioning. Most units are multilevel, and the 4-bedroom PH even boasts a private planted terrace.

Description provided by: Filippa Edberg-Manuel