149 Franklin Street: Review and Ratings

Review of 149 Franklin Street by Carter Horsley

This very handsome, 6-story, mid-block building at 149 Franklin Street between Hudson Street and West Broadway in TriBeCa was erected in 1889.  It has 7 co-operative units. 

The developer was John E. Parsons, a founder and president of the Bar Association and the General Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases, president of Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, and vice president of the New York Law Institute. 

It was designed in Romanesque Revival style by Charles C. Haight. 

The warehouse building replaced two frame buildings with masonry rear additions. 

The building, which is within the TriBeCa West Historic District and on a cobblestone street, was converted to a residential co-operative.

Bottom Line

An impressive residential conversion of a 1889 Romanesque Revival warehouse in TriBeCa, it has only 7 large apartments.

Description

The landmark designation report for this building provides the following description: 

"The grid-like façade is divided into one narrow bay and two wide bays by brick piers with stone trim and by cast-iron window framing. The ornament is characteristic of the Romanesque Revival style. 

"At the first-story base, surmounted by a stone cornice, the narrow bay is occupied by the main entrance; a stone arch with carved spandrels is framed by Doric pilasters and an entablature, which in turn is surmounted by paired miniature piers and carved ornament. 

"At each of the wide bays, cast-iron intermediate piers flank several historic wood doors and windows, most with operable wood transoms. An original loading platform survives at the base of the façade and granite vault covers extend to the street. 

"The four-story midsection is composed of two identical two-story sections, each capped by a brick and stone cornice. At the wide bays, groups of three large windows are separated by cast-iron mullions; the narrow bay has only one window. All windows, most of which retain their historic wood sash, are separated by spandrels with foliate patterns. 

"At the crown, giant piers are replaced by paired piers; they separate windows arranged as below and support a brick and brownstone cornice. The exposed western elevation is a plain brick wall. The exposed southern elevation is a painted brick wall which retains its historic wood sash windows and shutter hardware.

"Later tenants of the building have included the Thomas J. Lipton Company, importers; and Levi Berth & Company, merchants of sausage and casings. In 1972 owner Richard L. Giroh converted the 'warehouse and factory' into a warehouse and cutting facility for gaskets on the lower stories, with artists' studios on the upper four stories, which are now residential in use." 

The building has a handsome arched entrance surround, a decorative bandcourse and decorative spandrels. 

There is a three-step-up entrance platform.

Amenities

Building amenities include keyed elevator access, central air, and in unit washer/dryers.  Pets are allowed.

Apartments

Apartment 3 is a three-bedroom unit with a 41-by-39-foot living room with an 24-foot-long open kitchen with an island and a 9-foot-long corner office. 

Apartment 5S is a one-bedroom unit with a 37-foot-long living/dining room with a 16-foot-wide alcove, a 24-foot-long open kitchen and a 47-foot-long recreation room.