50 West 13th Street Given Landmark Status

Photo by Bob Cooley.

On October 22nd, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) voted unanimously (7-0) to designate as a New York City landmark the 1845 row house at 50 W. 13th St.

Officially referred to now as the “Jacob Day Residence” for the prominent Black businessman and abolitionist who owned the building and lived there from 1857 until his death in 1884, in living memory the site was visibly home to the 13th Street Repertory Company with its distinctive bright red awning.

The building stands as a testament for multiple historic connections to the middle and upper class African American community in the neighborhood during the second half of the 19th century, and later to the downtown theater movement of the 20th century when a small auditorium was installed on the lower level and subsequently the repertory company moved in in 1972.

The landmarking is the successful result of a concerted four-year campaign by Village Preservation, supported by numerous historians, researchers and articles — and the thousands of individuals who signed petitions to protect the structure.

The building is currently vacant and under renovation and the Department of Buildings previously approved adding a setback additional story above. Unfortunately, a distinctive period cast iron porch was recently removed during demolition. However, the owners have indicated a willingness to work with LPC in an effort to protect the existing facade in future plans.

Hopefully this significant site will continue to benefit the fabric of the neighborhood in continuation of its illustrious past.