11 East 20th Street (New York City, New York) | commercial building

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3-story Italianate/neo-Grec mercantile building originally completed in 1853 as a rowhouse constructed by William Brady. It was very soon converted for commercial purposes, with the firm of Locke & Craige owning it in 1865. At some point around 1870 the building got a facelift with neo-Grec lintels over the openings, a pedimented cornice, and a two-story shop front, housing furrier Robert Arnold. In 1913 Billy the Oysterman expanded its seafood business here, taking up the lower two levels. Despite some difficulties during prohibition, the oyster business flourished and became known nationwide, opening another location in 1938. This location finally closed in 1948, with the newer location closing in 1953.

The storefront was again replaced in 1961. It is currently occupied by Sferra linens store, which replaced Wichcraft sandwiches in 2021. Above the modern ground floor, the 2nd floor has an iron-framed show window. The top floor, clad in red brick, has three windows with black bracketed lintels of neo-Grec design. An ornate, pedimented and bracketed black metal roof cornice of Italianate design lines the top of the facade.