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About Cast Iron Building, 67 East 11th Street
This handsome former department store building was an important project that helped demonstrate the viability of residential conversions of cast-iron commercial buildings.
The building was originally erected in 1868 as the James McCreery Dry Goods Store, designed by John Kellum.
In 1971, architect Stephen B. Jacobs converted it for cooperative residential use for Rockrose, a leading residential real estate concern headed by the Elghanayan brothers.
The 7-story building with more than 140 apartments is notable for its façade profusion of large Corinthian columns. The conversion preserved the columns, although the street-level treatment was not inspired.
The project was an immediate success and spurred many more conversions in the vicinity. The building is across Broadway from the beautiful Grace Episcopal Church and its location has steadily grown in attractiveness as the neighborhood was witnessed a proliferation of restaurants, antique stores and architecturally has many worthy buildings. In addition, the long-overdue renaissance of nearby Union Square Park and its surroundings has made this area one of the most desirable in the city.
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