Jefferson Market building

Jefferson Market building is a Gothic structure with a tall tower, leaded glass windows, and steeply pitched roofs in Greenwich Village. Venetian Gothic details appear throughout the building, from the ornamental stonework to the decorative elements on the exterior.

The building opened as a courthouse for the Third Judicial District in 1877 and housed significant legal proceedings until 1945. Its conversion into a public library represented one of the nation's early efforts to preserve important architectural structures.

The building transformed from a courthouse into a shared community space in 1967, and today it serves as a gathering place where people borrow books and find quiet corners throughout the day. You can observe how locals use the rooms for reading, studying, and connecting with others in the neighborhood.

The building sits at Avenue of the Americas and is easy to locate with clear entrances and areas to explore. The best time to visit is during daytime hours when natural light flows through the leaded glass windows and the interior spaces feel most welcoming.

A restored bell in the tower known as Ol' Jeff rings each hour and creates a distinctive sound across the neighborhood. This audible landmark is a daily element of life in the village and links the building's past role with its current community function.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1870s

Architects: Frederick Clarke Withers, Calvert Vaux

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Address: 425 Avenue of the Americas

GPS coordinates: 40.73472,-73.99917

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:21