Delmonico's
56 Beaver Street | also 6 South William Street, 48 Beaver Street | Financial District | built 1920
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Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1837
After the Great Fire, the Delmonicos build the rounded-cornered 'Citadel' on this triangular lot
The Delmonico brothers lost their William Street cafe in the Great Fire of 1835. In 1837 they put up a new building where William, South William and Beaver streets meet, and its rounded corner gave it the popular name the Citadel. It had cantilevered iron balconies, a brightly decorated barroom and several smaller dining rooms. This earlier building stood on the lot until it was pulled down to make way for the present landmark.
“…the Delmonico brothers constructed a building at the intersection of William, South William, and Beaver Streets in 1837…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1890
Charles Delmonico seals a copper time capsule into the cornerstone's northeast corner to please the builder
At the new building's cornerstone, Charles Delmonico placed a copper box about ten inches square. Inside were a history of the Delmonico firms from 1835, old copper cents from beneath the demolished building's portico, the silver and copper coins of 1890, and the menu of February 24, 1890, the day the old restaurant closed to the public. Delmonico wanted the box at the South William Street corner, but the builder, David King, objected, noting that coins at Solomon's temple had turned up beneath its northeast corner. Delmonico gave in.
Source: Daytonian in Manhattan
- 1891
James Brown Lord's Delmonico's building replaces the family's earlier restaurant
Charles Crist Delmonico commissioned architect James Brown Lord to design an eight-story Renaissance Revival building on the triangular Beaver Street corner, replacing the family's earlier restaurant structure there. The new building held dining rooms, a top-floor kitchen and offices on the middle floors, reopening as one of Delmonico's several Manhattan locations.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1893
Delmonico's Beaver Street building becomes its only downtown home when the Broad Street building is sold
In 1893 the building that housed Delmonico's Broad Street restaurant went to a developer, leaving the Beaver Street building as the family's only downtown base. Charles Crist Delmonico died in 1901; his aunt Rosa Crist Delmonico then ran the firm. After she died in 1904, his sister Josephine Crist Delmonico took over.
“In 1893, this building became Delmonico's sole downtown quarters when the building housing its Broad Street restaurant was sold to a developer.”
- 1917
The Delmonico family sells the building and closes the restaurant
After decades in the family's hands, the Delmonico heirs sold the building to the American Merchant Marine Insurance Company for more than $500,000. The restaurant serving Beaver Street closed its doors on November 24, 1917.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1920
The Insurance Company of North America buys the Merchant Marine House for $1.25 million
Once Delmonico's left Beaver Street, the lower floors were partitioned into offices and the building became known as the Merchant Marine House, home to marine insurance companies and shipping businesses. The Insurance Company of North America bought it in 1920 for $1,250,000. The Landmarks Commission's report quotes a contemporary account that called the deal a record profit on a real estate turn in the neighborhood.
“In 1920, the building was sold to the Insurance Company of North America for $1,250,000…”
- 1926
Oscar Tucci opens a Prohibition-era speakeasy in the basement
Nine years after the original restaurant closed, Oscar Tucci opened a speakeasy and restaurant in the building's basement, defying Prohibition. He bought out the restaurant lease after Prohibition's repeal, owned the entire building by 1935, and ran a restaurant there under the Delmonico's name until his death in 1969.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1982
Ed Huber revives Delmonico's after a renovation
Restaurateur Ed Huber leased and renovated the building starting in 1981 and reopened it as Delmonico's in 1982, continuing the name's association with the corner into the 1990s.
Source: Wikipedia
- 1989
Delmonico's names two dining rooms in the old wine cellar for Charles Dickens and Mark Twain
In 1989 two dining rooms in the old wine cellar were dedicated and named for Charles Dickens and Mark Twain. Each of the writers had dined at one of the earlier Delmonico's restaurants.
“…the restaurant dedicated two dining rooms in the former wine cellar. The rooms were named after writers Charles Dickens and Mark Twain…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 1996
The Landmarks Commission designates the Delmonico's Building after eight witnesses speak in favor
On February 13, 1996, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the building a city landmark, calling it the only surviving building tied to the famous Delmonico's restaurant. At the hearing on December 12, 1995, continued on January 30, eight witnesses backed designation, among them representatives of Borough President Ruth Messinger and Council Member Kathryn Freed, plus the Municipal Art Society and the Historic Districts Council. Community Board 1 also sent a resolution of support.
- 2023
Delmonico's reopens in its landmark base with Oscar Tucci's grandson as brand ambassador
After a pandemic closure, a lawsuit among its four co-owners and flooding from Hurricane Ida, the restaurant lost its operators when the landlord, Time Equities, did not renew the lease in December 2022. Dennis Turcinovic and Joseph Licul then signed a 15-year lease on the lower stories. WAVE Design Studios redesigned the interior with five private dining rooms, and Oscar Tucci's grandson Max Tucci was hired as brand ambassador. Delmonico's formally reopened in September 2023.
Source: Wikipedia
Further reading
- 56 Beaver StreetWikipedia
- Delmonico's -- 56 Beaver StreetDaytonian in Manhattan
Nearby
- 1 William Street3 entries
- 15 William15 William Street | 6 entries
- 9 South William Street4 entries
- 13 South William Street4 entries
- 15 South William Street2 entries
- 17 South William Street2 entries