Fraunces Tavern Block Historic District

32 Water Street | also 62 Pearl Street | Financial District | built 1920

Open on the map4 entries

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

  1. 1695

    An earlier Philipse house stands on this lot at 62 Pearl Street by 1695, later turned to commercial use

    Frederick Philipse built a house on the Pearl Street lot before 1695, and it appears on the Miller Plan. His son Adolphus inherited the lot in 1702, and it passed through the family until Frederick's son Philip sold it in 1768. The landmarks report says the house was probably converted to commercial use by the middle of the eighteenth century.

    “The first Frederick Philipse built a house on the site before 1695 which appears in the Miller Plan.”

    Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

  2. 1784

    A hatter sells the rear of his Pearl Street house in 1784 but keeps a right of way to the Water Street dock

    John W. Vredenburgh, a hatter, bought the earlier house at 62 Pearl Street from Philip Philipse. In 1784 he sold the back portion, which fronted on Water Street, but kept an easement so he could reach the Water Street dock through the rear of his house. That back portion is the lot where 32 Water Street now stands.

    “…sold the rear portion fronting Water Street in 1784, but retained an easement giving him access to the Water Street dock…”

    Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

  3. 1827

    Merchant Asher P. Hamlin replaces the Philipse house at 62 Pearl Street with a store and home

    In 1827 the merchant Asher P. Hamlin tore down the old Philipse house and built a Federal-style brick building to hold his business. It probably included living quarters too, since it was advertised as a store and house when sold in 1830. Arched second-story windows, linked by paneled stone blocks, remain its most unusual feature.

    Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

  4. 1831

    Merchants Beekman and Johnson reunite the two lots in 1830 and finish 32 Water Street the next year

    Ralph V. Beekman and John C. Johnson bought both the Pearl Street and Water Street properties in 1830. They extended the building at 62 Pearl Street and put up the four-story Greek Revival building at 32 Water Street, completed in 1831. The firm used both buildings, though the city directories gave only the Pearl Street address.

    Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

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All 276 buildings with stories in Financial District