31 West 8th Street | apartment building

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New York, NY 10011

5-story residential building completed in 1845 as a townhouse for Henry Youngs. A completely new front, influenced by the German Jugendstil, was installed in the early-part of the 20th century. A self-conscious pattern of red brickwork sets off and enframes white stucco panels, while the severely simple windows with transoms above accord in scale with the wall module. A low pedimented parapet with flat central portion crowns the front. There are two floors of storefronts; the 2nd-story one has black fluted cast-iron piers.

From about 1938-65, this was the site of Sam Davis's Delicatessen and Dining Room; Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have been a regular customer. The ground floor is occupied by Sticky's Finger Joint, and a State Farm insurance office.