Knickerbocker Press Building
Why it's listed
Brick factory buildings with stepped gable parapets and a central stair tower make up this former printing plant on Webster Avenue in New Rochelle, New York. The main block was built around 1891-92 for the Knickerbocker Press, the manufacturing arm of the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons. Later sections were added, including a 2-story ell and, around 1914, a gable-front building, a warehouse and a stair tower with Romanesque Revival brickwork. A 1950-51 addition came after the period of significance. The site was chosen for its railroad access after a 1887 typographers' strike pushed publishers to move printing out of New York City. The plant ran until about 1934. Its Dutch Revival styling echoes the Knickerbocker name, probably a tribute to author Washington Irving. The architect is unknown. Today the buildings hold residential lofts and artists' studios, and the historic open industrial interiors are largely retained. It is recognized for its architecture and its link to American publishing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a distinctive example of a Dutch Colonial Revival industrial building in Westchester County, marked by stepped gable parapets. It is also significant for industry, as the manufacturing plant of the publishing firm G.P. Putnam's Sons from c. 1891 until c. 1934.
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 00000487, listed May 11, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 50-52 Webster Ave., New Rochelle |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | May 11, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000487 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1891-c. 1934 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival (Dutch Colonial Revival) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Buildings A through D were rehabilitated into residential lofts; Building E, under separate ownership, was earlier rehabilitated into offices and artists' lofts. No printing equipment survives. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.90485, -73.79085 (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 00000487.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6422047
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.