Offerman Building

Designated March 15, 2005

An outstanding example of a commercial structure executed in the Romanesque Revival style, the Offerman Building was constructed in two phases, between 1890 and 1893. Located on an irregularly-shaped lot, adjoining Fulton and Duffield Streets, it was commissioned by Henry Offerman, who made his fortune in the sugar industry, to serve as the S. Wechsler and Brother store.

The building was designed by Peter J. Laurtizen. Many of Lauritzen’s designs were inspired by medieval sources and the Fulton and Duffield Street elevations are typical of his work in the 1890s, incorporating multi-story arcades, textured limestone, decorative moldings, and reliefs that identify the date of construction, name of the building, and owner.

*Excerpt from the Landmarks Preservation Commission designation report

Image credit: New York Big Apple Images

STATUS Designated Individual Landmark

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“I don’t know what the City would be without HDC. [They] testified before LPC time after time and helped us focus on the right issues. We would not be an historic district without HDC! ”

Doreen Gallo: DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance

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“Use HDC as a resource because they know what they are doing and can offer advice on how to go about creating a district from every front: architectural, political, LPC, and the media. I had floundered prior to my involvement with this invaluable organization.”

Fern Luskin: Lamartine Place Historic District; Friends of Lamartine Place & Gibbons Underground Railroad Site

Local Voices

“HDC provided guidance and shared information during that process—we knew which Council members were going one way or another and we changed a few minds. I don’t think NoHo would have had as cohesive a district had it not been for HDC’s aid.”

Zella Jones: NoHo Historic District; NoHo East; and NoHo Extension

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“I remember Richard saying at a meeting, we have someone here from HDC, Nadezhda Williams, Director of Preservation and Research, to help us. She said to us, ‘You are not the only ones going through this.’ HDC included us in an enormous community”

Erika Petersen: West End Preservation Society

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"HDC has begun a series of projects to highlight the Bronx's architectural and cultural history. From booklet's and research highlighting specific sites and historic districts to the HDC's symposium in October 2018 to the latest community-based committee to look into further possible sites to qualify for landmarking, the HDC has established projects that will serve the Bronx community well."

Elena Martinez
City Lore, Folklorist
Bronx Music Heritage Center, Co-Artistic Director

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"Welcome2TheBronx is grateful for the advocacy done by the Historic Districts Council on behalf of the people of The Bronx. Through their deep connections and understanding of the importance of preserving our local histories, The Bronx has been able to have several spotlights shown on endangered communities as gentrification creeps into the borough."

Ed García Conde,
founder and Executive Director,
Welcome2TheBronx