Gothic Glimpses in Greenwich Village
Gothic architecture originated in Europe in the 12th century. As engineering developments allowed for the construction of significantly larger buildings, the pointed (Gothic) arch rose to prominence and was used to construct tall ceilings while still allowing for natural light to enter interior spaces. In New York City, most examples of Gothic architecture are from the Gothic Revival movement, primarily dating from the 1840s to 1860s (there was also a Gothic Revival Revival of sorts in the 1920s and 30s). In Greenwich Village, the style makes a few appearance, largely in churches (some Gothic Revival rowhouses were built here in the mid-19th century, but very few survive). Nonetheless, the Village has its share of Gothic detail. Arguably, the most famous being the Jefferson Market Courthouse, which was designed by Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux.
Built from 1874 –1877, Jefferson market is an example of Victorian Gothic, a movement that appeared in Great Britain during the 1850s, and was influenced by medieval styles such as Venetian and Byzantine, integrating Gothic elements with those of other historical styles for a new and unique amalgam. Pointed Gothic arches surround the windows and doors, and intricate details and moldings decorate the striking red brick facade.
Two examples of the more purely Gothic Revival style are found one avenue east of the library, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street. The Church of Ascension at No. 36-38 Fifth Avenue and its adjacent rectory were constructed in 1840-1841 and designed by Richard Upjohn. Upjohn is considered a pioneer of Gothic architectural style in New York City, and would later design the Trinity Church on lower Broadway in the same style.
Further up Fifth Avenue is the First Presbyterian Church, another fine example of the Gothic Revival style. Located at 48 Fifth Avenue, it was constructed in 1844-1846 and designed by architect Joseph C. Wells.
Among rowhouses, one of the most common building types in the Village, surviving examples of the Gothic Revival style are, as previously mentioned, scarce, but not non-existent. One is No. 10 Fifth Avenue at Eighth Street. Gothic details that flank the facade include quatrefoil detail on the parlor floor windows, the pointed arch above the entrance, and label moldings above the window frames. No, 10 Fifth Avenue was originally constructed as part of a row of four Gothic Revival rowhouses (no. 10-16 Fifth Avenue) in 1848-1849 by Henry Brevoort. No. 12 was replaced by a taller apartment buidling in 1903.
By the time the Greenwich Village Historic District was designated in 1969, Nos. 14 and 16 had been combined and stripped of their Gothic detail. In 2021, demolition of 14-16 Fifth Avenue was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The demolition of these buildings has since caused significant damage to No. 10 Fifth Avenue, and residents have had to vacate.
Gothic details are also found throughout the neighborhood on some other rowhouses that combine different styles. One example is Nos. 16-34 Bank Street, originally constructed in 1844-1845. While most of their details are Greek Revival, such as the doorway and dentiled cornice, each lintel has an ogival type Gothic arch.
To learn more about the unique architecture of the Greenwich Village Historic District, check out our Greenwich Village Then & Now Story Map and myriad of other resources on neighborhood history available on our website.