Delmonico's Building

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8-story Renaissance-revival building completed in 1891. Designed by James Brown Lord, it replaced the older Delmonico's building on the site, which opened in 1837. The building adapts to its irregular site at a five-point intersection with a rounded corner and grand entrance. The 2-story base is clad in brownstone and topped by a dentiled cornice. The most prominent feature is the corner semi-circular entrance porch of Corinthian columns, a frieze with the letters "DELMONICO'S", and a balustrade. Two columns flanking the door originally belonged to the older Delmonico's on this site, and are said to have been brought from Pompeii by John Delmonico. Above the entrance are two double-height engaged brownstone colonnades, rising to the uppermost stories and a cornice. The rounded bays between the columns are clad in orange terra-cotta, with ornately-carved spandrels. On Beaver and South William Streets, the base has large rectangular windows with simple surrounds.

The upper floors are clad in orange brick, with dark brown brick quoins around the large, round-arched, mid-section arcades. The Beaver Street facade is divided into a single narrow bay and two wider bays, while the South William facade is divided into two sections. The 7th floor has slender pilasters, adorned with terra-cotta arabesques, supporting a green modillioned cornice. There are also circular windows in each narrow section of the 7th floor.

The restaurant also extends into the ground floor of the three adjoining 4-story residential buildings at 48-52 Beaver Street, which were built in the mid-1800s. When they were converted to residential use, they were joined as the facades refaced, scored and painted to simulate brownstone. Two bays of projecting, angular balconies with metal railings have also been added.

The original Delmonico's was the birthplace of the Delmonico Steak, Delmonico Potatoes, Eggs Benedict, Lobster Newburg, and Baked Alaska, Delmonico's was the first dining establishment in America to be called by its French name, "Restaurant". It was also the first dining establishment to have a printed menu, offer a separate wine list, have tablecloths, offer private dining rooms, and have a "star" chef. Eggs Benedict was first offered here, as well as Delmonico Steak and Delmonico Potatoes.

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