First Otis Elevator Still Operational in SoHo
On March 23, 1857 Elisha Armstrong Otis’ first practical passsenger elevator was installed at the Haughwout Building at 490 Broadway in SoHo at the corner of Broome Street. The edifice is a 5 story cast iron building designed by architect John Gaynor to house the Haughwout Emporium, a well known manufacturer and purveyor of cut glass, porcelains, mirrors and chandeliers. The entire facade is comprised of 92 keystone arches crowned by an entablature of intricate friezes.
Today the elevator is still operated manually. Ramon Olivo has been running it for the past decade. People come from all over the world to take a ride in the relic.
I am happy to say our office of the Corcoran Group is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of 490 Broadway.
Thanks for the lift Ramon.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
RSS Options
Patrick Lilly holds a coveted position in the world of New York real estate as not only a top-tier producer in the city, but a sought-after expert in his field who’s been spotlighted in books, the media and seminars. A mainstay in the industry for over 25 years, Patrick has excelled to great heights in his field thanks to his exceptional knowledge of the market, proven flair for successful deals, and strong relationships with clients and peers alike.