259 Front Street

 apartment building, commercial building

4-story Federal-style building originally completed as two separate 3-story structures. The first, at the north end of the block, was erected in 1808 for David Lydig, a prominent flour merchant, whose first shop was at 160 South Street. At the first three original floors the red brick Is of Flemish bond, in contrast to the running bond at the 4th floor, which was added later. In addition, the splayed brownstone window lintels at the 2nd and 3rd floors further distinguish this early portion of the building. The original features of the ground floor have been substantially altered. There are three bays of widely-spaced windows facing Dover Street, and three closer-spaced bays of windows on Front Street, with a metal fire escape that was added in the early 20th century. A simple black metal cornice tops the roof line.

The building at 34-36 Dover, in the center of the block, was completed in 1814 as a 3-story factory and seaport warehouse for Lydig. It stands on the old site of Lydig's flour wharf and connects his earlier buildings at 259 Front and 160 South Street. Like Lydlg's two other buildings, this structure was originally three stories tall and later raised to four floors. The ground floor has been resurfaced in smooth stucco, painted a pale pink, with new doorways and windows replacing the original loading docks. The upper floors are clad in red brick, with four bays of narrow windows, grouped into two pairs. The 2nd-floor windows are especially tall. The building was later joined with 259 Front Street and converted to loft apartments. The ground floor is occupied by Sea Horse restaurant.