36 East 1st Street | Block : 443 | Lot #60

Description & Building Alterations

This five-story brick building was built in the 1869 by owner M. Wright in the Italianate style. The owner also appears to be the architect of the building from the historic building permit. This tenement was built along with Nos. 32 and 34 East 1st Street. It was originally occupied by eight families (two per floor above the first) and stores on the ground floor.

The facade features Philadelphia brick, a bracketed and modillioned cornice, and stone window lintels and sills. The first floor was utilized as a store until 1959, at which time it was converted into an apartment. Some storefront details were retained during this alteration. Much of the storefront facade was infilled with red bricks, though the door-framing pilasters remain.

Since 1968, the building has been used as one of two locations for the Catholic Worker House. The second location is The Maryhouse at No. 55 East Third Street. Now this building is used to prepare the Catholic Worker newspaper.