Howard Waters & Co. Building

 office building  Add category

5-story cast-iron office building originally completed in 1853 as a 4-story brownstone-faced townhouse. It was altered for commercial use in 1888 by the important New York architectural firm of D. & J. Jardine.

An 1895 alteration replaced the facade with the current cast-iron front, designed by Charles R. Behrens. Between the first two floors is recent brick infill. Remnants of the cast-iron pilasters may be seen at the 2nd floor. The 3rd through 5th floors still retain their original window configuration, of eight vertically-oriented, wood casements under transoms, and most of the original decorative iron detailing. There are simple cornices at the 3rd and 4th-story levels and at the roof. The fascia under the terminating cornice has a repeated pattern of garlands and swags.

A notable tenant at 134 Fifth Avenue was the "School of Industrial Art and Design for Women" from about 1881 through 1893. The ground floor is currently occupied by Rothy's shoe store.

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