317 Bowery | Block : 457 | Lot #7

Building Date : 1883
Original Use : Residential/Commercial

Original Owner : Herman Bruns
Original Architect : Frederick W. Klemt

Description & Building Alterations

This building was constructed in 1883 for use as lofts. In 1886, the popular dime museum Alexander’s Musee, which operated at this location, presented the performer Billy Kersands, who was the first African American entertainer to obtain nationwide popularity with white and black audiences. In the early 20th century, this building served as the Arcade Lodging House. The initials of the original owner, Herman Bruns, are carved into the facade.

Block : 457 / Lot : 7 / Building Date : 1883 / Original Owner : Herman Bruns / Original Use : Residential/Commercial / Original Architect : Frederick W. Klemt

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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.