Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Pearl Street to Lose Another Historic Gem
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 6, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 6, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A 19th century Greek revival building on Pearl Street – the road that formed the oyster shell strewn border of New Amsterdam in the 17th century – will soon be torn down, according to the A.P. The former warehouse at 213 Pearl was built in 1831 and was integral to what Ric Burns calls “the first district in the world devoted exclusively to commerce.” Once the city approves the permit, demolition could start as early as next week in order to make room for a new Sheraton Hotel. (This also spoils the Building Collapse Betting Pool on 213 Pearl that Curbed started in April.)
A group of preservationists are fighting the demolition, but they’ve had an uphill battle on this stretch of Pearl Street. Another 19th century building at 215 Pearl was disappeared to make way for a luxury high-rise, and 211 Pearl has been rubbed out in favor of a parking garage. The façade of that building is still eerily standing, however; three mysterious triangular shapes found in the brick may be linked to William Colgate, the soap entrepreneur for whom the warehouse was built. Preservationists are worried that the impending demolition of 213 Pearl will damage the façade.
Amateur historian Alan Solomon tells the A.P. that, ironically, the demolition and redevelopment of the old trade district is being partly financed by tax-exempt Liberty Bonds, issued by the federal government to rebuild the neighborhood around the World Trade Center after Sept. 11, 2001. So if we don’t replace New York’s old buildings with parking garages and chain hotels, does that mean the terrorists win?
Tagged
demolition
District
financial district
financialdistrict
government
hotels
Liberty Bonds
new amsterdam
new york
news
once
parking
parking garage
pearl street
pearlstreet
preservation
redevelopment
Ric Burns
the city
Trade Center
world trade center
worldtradecenter
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A sixth person dies after falling ill in NYPD custody this year
The 54-year-old was hospitalized twice after his arrest Friday, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 4:44 p.m. ET
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
By
Emily Russell
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
By
Jill Webb
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .