1864
1856-60

These mercantile buildings display the importance of architecture as a means of representing and advertising businesses in the 19^th century. The quality of the materials and attention to details, such as stone quoins and bracketed roof cornices, is exceptional. They were designed in a simplified Italianate style and the center of 166-168 Atlantic Avenue has a prominent central gable. As evidenced by the painted sign, the buildings were home to a shop selling shipbuilders’ goods. New York City’s ports were some of the busiest in the world in the mid-19^th century, and Atlantic Avenue was host to a number of nautical goods manufacturers and dealers.  These buildings were restored and converted to residential units in 2006, and the painted sign got a fresh coat of paint. Note the ornate parapet on 177 Atlantic Avenue, a commercial building directly across the street.These buildings are located in the Cobble Hill Historic District.