Finn Square

1914
126-128 Franklin Street, George W. DaCunha, 1881-82
1-9 Varick Street, Albert Wagner, 1887-88

Finn Square, created in 1914 when Varick Street was widened and extended for a new subway line, was named for Philip Schuyler Finn, an area resident who died in World War I. Its cast-iron subway entrance was inspired by the Paris metro. 126-128 Franklin Street was built for Francis H. Leggett, one of the country’s largest grocery importers. The brick, neo-Grec structure with Queen Anne details has a granite base, stone and terra cotta trim, arched windows and a prominent corner tower. With the widening of Varick Street, the building’s western half was demolished and replaced with a simple brick wall. 1-9 Varick Street, a Romanesque Revival confection of peach brick with terra cotta and brownstone moldings, was built for D. S. Walton & Company, the country’s largest manufacturer of wrapping paper. The building features arched bays and a balustrade at the crown. Each sit is Located in the Tribeca West Historic District.

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