313 Fifth Avenue

 office building  Add category

4-story office building originally completed in 1853 as a mansion for Uriel Atwood Murdock. It had the expected high stone stoop and, like other Greek Revival and Italianate rowhouses appearing across the city, forewent the dormers of the now-passe Federal style in favor of short attic windows. Seven years after moving in to the brownstone home Uriel Murdock became President of the Continental National Bank.

In 1902 the former mansion was renovated and leased for commercial use. One of the tenants was the Fishel, Adler & Schwartz Gallery, among whose renovations was the removal of the stoop and, inside, a “sky parlor,” where large exhibitions could be held. A 2-story extension, it was lit by a vast skylight. Later the Mason & Hamlin piano company leased space. In 1929 the Murdock family finally decided to sell. Many tenants soon after were in the garment industries. The building contains offices today.

A modern metal-and-glass storefront fills the ground floor, framed by rusticated limestone piers. The stuccoed brownstone upper floors are painted beige, with three bays of windows that have stone sills and slightly splayed lintels with sharp-edged keystones. Although the original attic floor was raised to full height, it still has the short, square attic windows. A simple brown metal roof cornice caps the facade.

The ground floor is occupied by Shinhan Bank.

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