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I've searched the build dates of many prewar midrise buildings in the East Village, Lower East Side, and Chinatown on various real estate sites, and it almost always says 1900, 1910, or 1920. That would be too much of a coincidence, so I'm guessing these are just guesses.
Does that mean the true build dates of these buildings are unknown? I would love to find out the exact years these were built. I wonder if some of these buildings were actually built in the late 1800s instead.
I've searched the build dates of many prewar midrise buildings in the East Village, Lower East Side, and Chinatown on various real estate sites, and it almost always says 1900, 1910, or 1920. That would be too much of a coincidence, so I'm guessing these are just guesses.
Does that mean the true build dates of these buildings are unknown? I would love to find out the exact years these were built. I wonder if some of these buildings were actually built in the late 1800s instead.
Yes, in most cases true build dates are known. Records including original certificate of occupancy are with the Department of Buildings.
There are other sources as well such as deeds, tax assessment records, etc...
As for one or more buildings on same block (or even lot) having same year of erection; that isn't so far fetched. Much would depend upon what the land was (or rested upon it) prior to development and or whatever building you are looking at/for was erected.
If a block was a field, marsh, factory, a row of old homes, etc... that was sold to someone who redeveloped, then yes, one or more buildings may have gone up in same year.
Keep in mind also lower Manhattan (below Canal Street) was constantly changing as the city grew.
As I noted in another post area where Collect Pond park now sits was indeed Collect Pond which was drained and filled in with earth. Since then there were upscale homes then tenements (the wealthy didn't like the stench that came up from "collect pond". In fact that area was home to the notorious Five Points slum.
As for one or more buildings on same block (or even lot) having same year of erection; that isn't so far fetched. Much would depend upon what the land was (or rested upon it) prior to development and or whatever building you are looking at/for was erected.
If a block was a field, marsh, factory, a row of old homes, etc... that was sold to someone who redeveloped, then yes, one or more buildings may have gone up in same year.
Keep in mind also lower Manhattan (below Canal Street) was constantly changing as the city grew.
As I noted in another post area where Collect Pond park now sits was indeed Collect Pond which was drained and filled in with earth. Since then there were upscale homes then tenements (the wealthy didn't like the stench that came up from "collect pond". In fact that area was home to the notorious Five Points slum.
2 buildings going up the same year is not far fetched, but every single building in the neighborhood being built in a year that ends in 0 or 5 is far fetched. I wonder how they even make these estimations if they don't know the exact date.
2 buildings going up the same year is not far fetched, but every single building in the neighborhood being built in a year that ends in 0 or 5 is far fetched. I wonder how they even make these estimations if they don't know the exact date.
One again, you don't know what was on the lot, lots, or block before current building went up. If it was empty land, a large factory, etc... Maybe one person or a family owned entire block or several lots and sold.
Anyway as one suggested search official NYC agency websites, not third party. Though some like Emporis are better than others.
Only way to truly know when a building was erected is to find certificate of occupancy, deed, and or tax records.
My building supposedly was built in 1900. I can definitely see it being built around that date as I straddle where the main elevated line that ran along Allen St was. The station was half a block from my apartment. The building is sound architecturally, but it's one of the more bland tenements of the time. It definitely has a more pre-law feel to it with the lack of proper air shafts. I find the air gets a little stuffy if I don't circulate it! That being said, I like it cold and usually run the AC in the winter, so there ya go.
I usually look deep into the buildings history when I choose an apartment haha. It's mostly to confirm issues like the landlord not handling hot/cold water issues or bedbugs, but I have a penchant for history and would even wager my favorite style of movie is documentary. If only it made good money, I would have majored in it in college.
That being said, I like it cold and usually run the AC in the winter, so there ya go.
Is that safe to do? My building (built in late 1930s) all of a sudden became unbearably hot during the winter last year, and I had to resort to putting a fan in the window at night, even if it was in the 20s outside! Ridiculous.
I mentioned the issue to the board, and they said there's only so much they can do since it's an 80-year old building. I was tempted to reply, well, could we have the heat we had when it was, ummmm....a 79-year old building? Because that amount of heat (nice and low) was AWESOME.
Is that safe to do? My building (built in late 1930s) all of a sudden became unbearably hot during the winter last year, and I had to resort to putting a fan in the window at night, even if it was in the 20s outside! Ridiculous.
I mentioned the issue to the board, and they said there's only so much they can do since it's an 80-year old building. I was tempted to reply, well, could we have the heat we had when it was, ummmm....a 79-year old building? Because that amount of heat (nice and low) was AWESOME.
Perhaps some of the tenants like the heat like that, so they try to keep them happy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Javawood
My building supposedly was built in 1900. I can definitely see it being built around that date as I straddle where the main elevated line that ran along Allen St was. The station was half a block from my apartment. The building is sound architecturally, but it's one of the more bland tenements of the time. It definitely has a more pre-law feel to it with the lack of proper air shafts. I find the air gets a little stuffy if I don't circulate it! That being said, I like it cold and usually run the AC in the winter, so there ya go.
I usually look deep into the buildings history when I choose an apartment haha. It's mostly to confirm issues like the landlord not handling hot/cold water issues or bedbugs, but I have a penchant for history and would even wager my favorite style of movie is documentary. If only it made good money, I would have majored in it in college.
1900 might just be an estimate, it could be even older!
One again, you don't know what was on the lot, lots, or block before current building went up. If it was empty land, a large factory, etc... Maybe one person or a family owned entire block or several lots and sold.
Anyway as one suggested search official NYC agency websites, not third party. Though some like Emporis are better than others.
Only way to truly know when a building was erected is to find certificate of occupancy, deed, and or tax records.
My point is that almost none of the buildings were said to have been built in years that end in any number other than 0 or 5, that's too much of a coincidence
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