J. & J. Slevin & Sons Building
310 Canal Street | also 53 Lispenard Street | Tribeca | built 1910
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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.
- 1860
A watchman from the house on this site meets a fellow Custom House guard shortly before he is found murdered
Before the present building, 53 Lispenard Street was a brick house and store of the boot and shoe maker Charles Copping, whose family lived there from at least 1836. On the night of February 10, 1860, his son Charles Jr., a Custom House watchman, passed fellow guard William S. Tuers on Broadway, and Tuers asked him the time. About 25 minutes later Tuers was found murdered on State Street, and newspapers called it the State-Street Murder. The killers were never found.
Source: Daytonian in Manhattan
- 1868
William H. Hume designs an Italianate store and loft with a cast-iron front for 53 Lispenard Street
William H. Hume designed the four-story, 25-foot-wide building at 53 Lispenard Street in 1867-68. Its cast-iron storefront, with fluted columns and a modillioned cornice, was made by Nichols & Billerwell, whose foundry plate still survives. The brick upper floors have pedimented stone lintels beneath a bracketed metal cornice, and the building replaced a masonry dwelling occupied by a boot merchant.
“Designed by William H. Hume for James Slavin, possibly the bricklayer listed in contemporary directories, it was erected in 1867-68…”
- 1875
Cincinnati dry-goods firm J. & J. Slevin & Co., builder of 53 Lispenard Street, fails
James Slevin, of the Cincinnati dry goods firm J. & J. Slevin, moved to New York around 1866 and hired Hume to build on Lispenard Street. He died in April 1872, and the Panic of 1873 followed. His son Thomas sold off family real estate, and on Christmas Day 1875 newspapers announced the firm's failure.
Source: Daytonian in Manhattan
- 1879
Jonathan Edwards has a neo-Grec store built at 310 Canal Street and joined to the building behind
In 1879 Jonathan Edwards had John J. Devoe, Jr. design and build a four-story, 20-foot-wide store and loft at 310 Canal Street. It connects to 53 Lispenard Street through the back wall, and it replaced a masonry dwelling developed in the 1820s by the shipping merchant and banker Isaac Lawrence. Its tenants have included clothing and cigar manufacturers and an engraver.
“Designed and built by John J. Devoe, Jr., for Jonathan Edwards, probably the businessman and lawyer listed in contemporary directories, it was erected in 1879…”
- 1887
Neckwear maker Michaelis Borchardt reports a blown safe and stolen wedding presents
On September 10, 1887, police were called when the safe of neckwear manufacturer Michaelis Borchardt was found blown open, with imported silk worth $7,000 and his wedding presents gone. Police were puzzled how burglars had left unseen. Borchardt, who owed $2,500 to six creditors, offered them 25 cents on the dollar, and in 1896 he was charged with putting counterfeit vermouth labels on cheap wine.
Source: Daytonian in Manhattan
- 2017
Landmarks Preservation Commission approves a third design for a residential conversion
In fall 2016 developers proposed combining the buildings at 310 Canal Street and 53 Lispenard Street with 308 Canal and converting them to condominiums with tall penthouse additions designed by architect Paul A. Castrucci. The Landmarks Preservation Commission rejected the plans in November and asked for reworked designs. In April 2017 it approved Castrucci's third proposal.
Source: Daytonian in Manhattan
Further reading
- The 1868 J. & J. Slevin & Sons Bldg - 53 Lispenard St.Daytonian in Manhattan
Nearby
- Former Pearl Paint building308 Canal Street | 2 entries
- 312 Canal Street3 entries
- 304 Canal Street1 entry
- Jewelers' Craft Building45 Lispenard Street | 2 entries
- 302 Canal Street1 entry
- 300 Canal Street1 entry