ALREADY KNOW YOUR NEXT DESTINATION?
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE AUDIOGUIDE

E. V. Haughwout Building

E. V. Haughwout Building (39)

Venice in the heart of Manhattan? This five-storey corner building is reminiscent of a Venetian palace. Built in 1857 to a design by John Gaynor, it housed Eder V. Haughwout's fashionable emporium, which sold porcelain tableware, mirrors, chandeliers, furniture and other household items. It was the first department store to be aimed at wealthy customers. A real luxury for the time. In fact, its clientèle included powerful and wealthy people and celebrities such as the wife of Abraham Lincoln.

Its exterior is clearly influenced by Venetian art, typical of other buildings in New York in the mid-19th century. Specifically, it is very similar to the National Library of St Mark's in Venice, near Piazza San Marco. The cast-iron façades were provided by Daniel D. Badger's Architectural Iron Works, located along the East River. In fact, after this work, the company was so satisfied that an illustration of this building featured on the cover of its catalogues for a long time.

As a last detail that was crucial for the future development of skyscrapers, the first passenger lift in the world was successfully installed here in 1857. Designed by Elisha Armstrong Otis, it was hydraulic and travelled at a speed of 20 centimetres per second. There's no doubt that it was a great achievement that spread to hundreds of thousands of buildings worldwide.

ALL POINTS OF INTEREST
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website

ACCEPT
+ INFO