138 First Avenue | Block : 436 | Lot #1

Building Date : 1848
Original Use : Residential

Original Owner : James B. Murray
Original Architect : Unknown

Description & Building Alterations

This three-story, three-bay wide building was originally erected in 1848. Although Lot 1 is not assessed on the First Avenue record until 1855 (as Ward Number 3088 1/2), it is assessed on the St. Mark’s Place record as part of Lot 60 (Ward Number 1910 1/2), which jumps in value with the presence of a second house in 1848. The second-story front wall was replaced in 1909.

The present facade features bracketed cornice with paneled frieze, simple splayed window lintels with keystones, and projecting brickwork above second story.

Block : 436 / Lot : 001 / Building Date : 1848 / Original Owner : James B. Murray / 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.