Pratt Institute Manhattan Campus

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7-story Romanesque-revival school building completed in 1896. Designed by Brunner & Tryon as a loft building, it is clad in limestone, tan brick and terra-cotta. The street facade is articulated through a series of eight monumental arches embellished with handsome classical details, such as shields with acanthus leaves at the spandrels, each extending from the 3rd to 6th floor. Sixteen smaller arches define the 7th floor, crowned by an elaborate modillioned and dentiled cornice. Rusticated limestone pilasters with granite footing separate the lower stories into four sections. The main entrance is framed in stone with ornate carvings, and is topped by a balustraded balcony at the 2nd floor. An intricate stone cornice caps the base. The glass and painted metal storefronts are non-historic. A simple metal cornice crowns each storefront.

Since its completion, many commercial tenants have occupied various floors, including R. H. Macy’s, which produced flags and silk underwear here, the silversmith Graff, Washbourne & Dunn, as well as Epiphone, a leading manufacturer of stringed instruments. In 1941, the noted American jazz guitarist Les Paul assembled a “solid-body” electric guitar in the company’s workshop; it became the prototype for many electric guitars played today.

144 West 14th Street was acquired by Pratt Institute in 1999 and restored by Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects, it now serves as the school’s Manhattan campus. The building includes the school of Information and Library Science, as well as Pratt’s associate degree programs, and its graduate programs in Communications/Packaging Design, Construction Management, Facilities Management, and Historic Preservation. Also in the Sondra & David Mack Building is the Pratt Manhattan Gallery, a public art gallery affiliated with Pratt Institute. The interior was recently renovated by Kliment Halsband Architects.

The ground floor is occupied by H&R Block, Artie's Hardware, and Synergy Fitness Club.

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