New York City, New York story
A Vision in Cast Iron
At the corner of Broome Street and Broadway stands the Haughwout Building, a five-story masterpiece of cast iron built in 1857. Originally, it was a luxury emporium selling fine c…
Read the story
At the corner of Broome Street and Broadway stands the Haughwout Building, a five-story masterpiece of cast iron built in 1857. Originally, it was a luxury emporium selling fine chandeliers, silverware, and cut glass. But it's famous for something much more revolutionary.
On March 23, 1857, this building installed the world's first successful passenger elevator, designed by Elisha Graves Otis. This invention didn't just change how we move; it changed how we build, allowing the city to reach for the clouds. By breaking the physical limits of the walk-up, the Haughwout Building helped pave the way for the vertical city, creating the high-rise lofts that would eventually house the city's jazz musicians and avant-garde artists.
Updated June 2026