Building at 361 Broadway

The building at 361 Broadway is a six-story structure with an elaborate cast-iron facade from the late 19th century. The exterior displays decorative brackets, tall windows, and ornamental cornices across its walls.

Construction of this cast-iron building began in 1881 under architect W. Wheeler Smith. It served as offices for Scientific American magazine from 1884 to 1915.

The building embodies the architectural identity of late 19th-century Lower Manhattan, when cast-iron structures shaped the urban landscape. It stands as a visible testament to the period's preference for elaborate commercial facades.

The building sits at the intersection of Franklin Street and Broadway and is easily accessible by public transit. The location offers pedestrian access with good visibility of the historic facade from the street.

The structure employs a Vierendeel truss system to support added apartments without affecting the historic facade. This engineering approach allowed the conversion from pure office space into modern residential units.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1881

Architects: W. Wheeler Smith

Architectural style: Italianate architecture

Address: 361 Broadway

GPS coordinates: 40.71750,-74.00389

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:04