Gunther Building

The Gunther Building at 469 Broome Street is a five-story structure with a white cast-iron facade featuring ornate Corinthian columns and a distinctive curved glass corner. The ground floor contains commercial space while upper levels house residential apartments.

Architect Griffith Thomas designed this building in 1871 for William Gunther, a German immigrant who established a major fur business in Manhattan. It was erected during the neighborhood's peak as an industrial and commercial center.

The structure reflects SoHo's shift from industrial warehouses to a residential community for creative professionals. Its ornate white facade and tall windows contribute to the neighborhood's distinctive character, marking the area's transformation into an artistic hub.

The building sits in an active commercial area with good foot traffic and nearby shops and restaurants. Visitors can appreciate the exterior architecture from the street and explore the surrounding neighborhood on foot.

A distinctive financial arrangement exists where the commercial tenant pays all maintenance costs, freeing apartment owners from monthly upkeep fees. This type of agreement is uncommon among similar buildings from that era.

Location: Manhattan

GPS coordinates: 40.72250,-74.00170

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:23