Leaning Landmark Restored

Once known as the “Leaning Landmark,” this historic building at 55 Reade Street, New York, NY, was at risk of collapse in 2007. Leaning nearly eight inches to the south due to excavation work on its neighboring property, steel bracing was installed to keep it upright. Years of neglect and water infiltration through the roof, windows, and floor beams left the façade of the landmark building in severe disrepair.

Originally designed by renowned architect John B. Snook for the estate of wholesale grocer and tobacco merchant Stephen Storm, the transitional Italianate French Second Empire cast iron building was a standout with its slate-clad mansard roof pierced by dormers and topped with lacy iron cresting signifying the prestige of this elaborate historic structure.

The comprehensive exterior façade restoration work, completed in 2020, included repair and replacement of missing and deteriorated cast iron elements, including decorative columns, capitals and cornices, restoration of re-creation of deteriorated sheet metal dormers, replacement of damaged slate roofing and replacement of arched wood windows and storefronts.

The architects began with a thorough assessment of all building conditions which guided the selective repair and replacement of damaged cast iron and sheet metal components. Recording of existing details of all features served as the basis for the replication of missing and severely damaged features. Archival research provided early photographs which helped guide the design work, particularly in regard to missing features. Scientific paint sampling provided the basis for repainting of existing and new cast iron and wood elements. New wood windows were fabricated based on detailed field drawings and the decorative iron cresting was replicated from remnant pieces on the site.