16 MacDougal Alley

also 21 Washington Square North | Greenwich Village | built 1900

The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.

Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.

1833
Landowners lay out MacDougal Alley as a private stable court behind the Washington Square North houses
In 1833 the owners of the land behind the large Washington Square North houses create MacDougal Alley as a private court where stables could stand. The Landmarks Preservation Commission notes that some converted stables on the alley's south side still carry the numbers of the town houses they served. This three-story brick stable, which predates 1854 and is listed as both No. 21 and No. 16, sits on that south side.
“MacDougal Alley was formally created in 1833, by the landowners, as a private court for stables, serving the great town houses on Washington Square North…”
Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
1920
Architect Raymond Hood remodels the old stable into a garage with two apartments above
In 1920 the architect Raymond Hood turns this stable, which dates from before 1854, into a garage topped by two apartments. At that time a large bay window is added at the second floor. A long glass-block panel under the bay is a later change and fills the old carriageway, so the stable's original wide doorway is gone.
“…was remodeled in 1920 by the noted architect, Raymond Hood, for two apartments above the garage. At that time the large bay window was added at the second floor.”
Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

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