Cast iron buildings are normally associated with Soho in New York City, and we recently learned to decode the signs of history on the buildings of the historic Manhattan neighborhood. But walking in South Williamsburg, you might notice buildings of a similar architectural style and footprint. The Victorian Society of America, with Columbia University professor Andrew Dolkart, commissioned a survey of all of New York City’s cast iron buildings without landmark protection in 2004.
The result are three separate maps of Brooklyn, Southern Manhattan and Northern Manhattan. Clicking on a building will reveal more information about each, including architect, foundry, year of construction and more. The Smith, Gray & Co. building above on Broadway and Bedford Avenue in South Williamsburg has two full cast-iron facades for example and was designated a landmark in 2005. Smith Grey was once a manufacturer and retailer of boys’ clothing.
See the maps here!
Get in touch with the author @untappedmich.
