56 Beaver Street

This eight-story structure sits at the corner where William, South William, and Beaver Streets meet, featuring a facade of orange brick, brownstone, and terracotta tiles. The building fills a triangular lot and holds residential apartments on upper levels with dining spaces below and at street level.

The building was built in 1837 by the Delmonico brothers after fire destroyed their earlier restaurant location during the Great Fire of New York. Their choice to rebuild at this busy corner location helped establish the site as a new center for upscale dining in the city.

The building reflects how fine dining worked in 19th-century New York, with distinct spaces serving different groups of people. The layout shows how social customs shaped the way rooms were used and who could dine where.

The building is privately owned housing, but you can view it from the street to appreciate the distinctive facade treatment and materials. The best light for seeing the terracotta details comes during daytime hours when the sun illuminates the building's outer surfaces.

The facade is organized following classical architectural principles, dividing into three distinct horizontal zones like a column with base, shaft, and capital. This thoughtful design approach subtly shapes how the eye moves across the building and might not be immediately obvious to passersby.

Location: Manhattan

Address: 2 South William Street, Manhattan, NY 10004

GPS coordinates: 40.70500,-74.01028

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:05