Who built the building and when was it completed?

The building was built by James Bogardus and was completed in 1861.

What is the architectural style of 85 Leonard Street?

It is a five-story Italianate structure featuring a cast-iron facade designed to resemble the stone buildings located on either side of it.

What was the original purpose of the building?

It was commissioned by the dry-goods firm Kitchen, Montross & Wilcox as a loft building with retail space on the ground floor.

Is the building a protected landmark?

Yes, it was designated a New York City landmark in 1974 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

85 Leonard Street (Kitchen, Montross & Wilcox Store) in New York City

Q: What is 85 Leonard Street known for?

It is a notable example of cast-iron architecture and is recognized as the only surviving building in New York City attributed to James Bogardus, the self-described "inventor of cast-iron buildings."

85 Leonard Street (Kitchen, Montross & Wilcox Store)

A rare 1861 Italianate cast-iron masterpiece, 85 Leonard Street is the only surviving building in New York City attributed to the pioneering 'inventor of cast-iron buildings,' James Bogardus.

Open prototype

Official site

Get directions

What to know

Standing as a testament to 19th-century industrial innovation, 85 Leonard Street was completed in 1861. The structure was commissioned by Ziba H. Kitchen, William Montross, and Aaron P. Wilcox, who operated a dry-goods firm. To house their business, they hired James Bogardus, an architect and engineer who famously described himself as the inventor of cast-iron buildings. Construction began in December 1860, with the owners required by their lease to spend no less than $20,000 on the substantial store house. Architecturally, the building is a five-story Italianate structure. In a clever bit of 19th-century mimicry, the cast-iron facade was designed to impersonate the stone buildings located on either side of it. The Landmark Preservation Commission specifically highlighted its rare 'sperm candle' cast-iron style, a detail that adds to its unique aesthetic value in the Manhattan landscape. Throughout its history, the building transitioned from a center of commerce to a residential space. Kitchen, Montross & Wilcox ran their retail store here until approximately 1868, after which the ground floor continued to host various dry-goods merchants. By the 1920s, the Durham Hosiery Mills Company had purchased the property to install its headquarters. In 1974, Joseph Salamon of RFR Promotional Fabrics acquired the building, the same year it received official city recognition. Today, the building serves as luxury condominiums and holds immense historical weight. It was designated a New York City landmark in 1974 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is recognized as the only surviving building in New York City attributed to James Bogardus, making it an indispensable piece of the city's architectural heritage.

Visitor tips

Look closely at the facade to see how the cast iron mimics the appearance of stone.
Visit during the day to appreciate the Italianate detailing and 'sperm candle' style columns.
Combine this stop with a visit to 75 Murray Street to see another nearby Bogardus work.

Nearby context

Located in the Tribeca neighborhood between Broadway and Church Street, this building is a prime example of the area's industrial past, where cast-iron lofts once served as the heart of the city's dry-goods trade.