7 West 16th Street

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4-story Greek-revival residential building completed in 1846 as a townhouse for Edward S. Mesier, who sold it upon completion to Elbert J. Anderson. Originally three stories high with a raised basement, it has a recessed, 1-story penthouse which was added by 1932. The building is three bays wide, with a bow-fronted swell incorporating the two westernmost bays. The brick facade retains its original red color, and has stone sills and lintels. The basement is covered with cement and is fronted by a small areaway with a planter at the street line. The original iron fence remains at the lot line.

A stone stoop with its original wrought iron railing and newels leads to a recessed entrance in the easternmost bay. An eared and battered stone enframement from which the molding has been removed, and which is covered by cement, surrounds the doorway. Above it, the lintel retains its cap molding. Recessed within is a single wooden door with multiple panes which is separated from a sidelight by a paneled wooden Corinthian pilaster. A glazed rectangular transom caps this doorway.

The easternmost bay of the 2nd and 3rd floors originally had tripartite windows, but at both floors the narrow outside openings have been filled with paneled brick. A black, modillioned wooden cornice, topped by a metal flashing, caps the 3rd floor. The 1-story recessed penthouse has a cement facade with two large, metal, tripartite casement windows.

The building continued to serve as a single-family dwelling for many years after its construction. Elbert Anderson, the first owner, lived at this address until 1852, when he sold the property to a merchant, James H. Brainer. The house had several subsequent owners until the James C. Bergen family bought the property in 1894. Under its ownership, in 1933, the building became a multiple dwelling with a restaurant on the ground floor. In 1936, the ground floor housed a doctor's office, with apartments above. In 1971, the number of apartments in the building was reduced and today it continues in use as an apartment building.

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