108 First Avenue | Block : 434 | Lot #5

Building Date : 1841-43; 1872 (altered)
Original Use : Residential

Original Owner : E. Davis; Ernest Ohl
Original Architect : Unknown; William Graul

Description & Building Alterations

This building was originally three-and-a-half stories tall with a peaked roof when it was constructed in 1841-43. During an alteration in 1872, it was raised to its current height of five stories and a galvanized iron cornice was added.

The present facade has been altered over time. Most historic details, like the window lintels, sills, and the cornice have been stripped. The storefront has also been modified.

Block : 434 / Lot : 005 / Building Date : 1841-43; 1872 (altered) / Original Owner : E. Davis; Ernest Ohl / Original Use : Residential / Original Architect : Unknown; William Graul

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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.