Bayard-Condict Building
Why it's listed
Rising twelve stories on the north side of Bleecker Street near Broadway, this steel-framed building was designed by Louis Sullivan with Lyndon P. Smith and built in 1897-1899. Its Bleecker Street front is five bays wide, with brick sheathed in white terra cotta, while the sides and rear are red common-bond brick. Pairs of double-hung windows sit between richly ornamented terra cotta spandrels, and large arches with tracery cap the top floors. A heavy projecting cornice is supported by six large winged figures with outstretched arms. Inside, elevators and a stair serve floors divided into offices and factory space. It was Sullivan's first work after his partnership with Dankmar Adler dissolved in 1895 and was among New York's earliest skyscrapers. Critics of the time debated its design. Montgomery Schuyler praised its honest expression of the steel frame, while Russell Sturgis objected to the arches and tracery at the top. Its directness and freedom from historical convention earned it recognition as a prophetic solution to skyscraper design.
Significance in brief: It was the first building Sullivan designed after his partnership with Dankmar Adler ended in 1895 and was one of the first skyscrapers in New York City. The form calls it a prophetic design for its freedom from historical preconceptions, its directness and its simplicity. It was the first of Sullivan's skyscrapers to be praised by Eastern critics, though its ornamented top was controversial.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76001236, listed December 8, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 65--69 Bleecker St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | December 8, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001236 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1897-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Louis Sullivan (1856-1924); designed with Lyndon P. Smith |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 8, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; used by offices and factories. Alterations over the years include the main stairway, ceilings and office renovation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Chinatown and Little Italy Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.72637, -73.99500 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76001236.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3637062
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.