126 East 7th Street | Block : 434 | Lot #26

Building Date : 1861
Original Use : Residential

Original Owner : Unknown (illegible)
Original Architect : Unknown

Description & Building Alterations

This five-story building was constructed in 1861 as seen in the tax records although the name of the owner is illegible. An alteration in 1902 notes that the building was extended to the rear and a new fire escape was to be placed on the front of the building under the supervision of architect Henry Regelman. The lot was once part of William B. Astor’s holdings and was leased out in the 1860’s.

The fire escape of the building dominates the front facade currently. Other historic details like its original lintels, sills and cornice have all been stripped and its storefront modified.

Block : 434 / Lot : 026 / Building Date : 1861 / Original Owner : Unknown (illegible) / Original Use : Residential / Original Architect : Unknown

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What is the Building Blocks Project

What does a building mean to someone who lives there? A person who lives on the block? In the neighborhood? In the city? This site presents a wealth of historic information gained from GVSHP’s architectural research survey about the buildings located in the East Village.

The site explores the area generally considered today as the East Village: from a northern border of 14th Street to a southern border of Houston Street, Avenue D in the east to 4th Avenue/the Bowery to the west. You can explore the information about the blocks and buildings featured here in two ways.

Pick a block. Maybe it’s yours, or perhaps it is just your favorite place to shop, grab a bite, or just people watch. Then explore the buildings that make up that block. Or take one of the many guided tours on the site, curated by a collection of organizations and experts from the neighborhood. See how they experience the neighborhood. Then tell us what the neighborhood means to you. The site’s comments section allows you to open a dialogue with others who feel just as passionately as you do about the East Village.