The Potter Building, completed in 1886 at 145 Nassau Street, stands as one of Manhattan's most significant pre-skyscraper era structures. Built by Orlando B. Potter and designed by architect N. G. Starkweather, it replaced the World Building that was destroyed by fire in 1882. The 11-story structure notably became Manhattan's first fireproof building, featuring 4-foot-thick foundation walls and 18.5-inch thick interior walls.
The building's architectural significance lies in its elaborate red brick and terra cotta façade, which showcases a distinctive fusion of Queen Anne, neo-Grec, Renaissance Revival, and Colonial Revival motifs. The handsome brickwork, produced by the Boston Terra Cotta Co., is particularly noteworthy, as is the ornate roofline punctuated by finials and broken scroll pediments with urns.
Converted to a 41-unit cooperative in 1980 by Martin Raynes, the building received New York City landmark status in 1996. The structure, also known as 35-38 Park Row and 2-8 Beekman Street, has maintained its historic character while incorporating modern amenities, including updated elevators, a renovated lobby, and a beautifully landscaped roof terrace with panoramic views.
Apartments feature high ceilings and many retain original architectural elements, while kitchens have been modernized with high-end appliances. The building offers various layouts, from dramatic multi-level units to spacious lofts with original cast-iron columns and ornate details.
The Potter Building provides a part-time doorman, storage facilities, and a laundry room. Its location across from City Hall Park offers residents easy access to multiple transit options at nearby Fulton Street station, as well as proximity to downtown attractions including the Oculus, Brookfield Place, and the Seaport district.
The co-operative maintains a pet-friendly policy and allows subletting with board approval, operating with strong financial management.
Limited off-market opportunities might be available at The Potter Building – ideal for those looking to explore listings not currently on the market. Contact us to learn more.
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For some co-ops, instead of price per square foot, we use an estimate of the number of rooms for each sold apartment to chart price changes over time. This is because many co-op listings do not include square footage information, and this makes it challenging to calculate accurate square-foot averages.
By displaying the price per estimated room count, we are able to provide a more reliable and consistent metric for comparing sales in the building. While we hope that this gives you a clearer sense of price trends in the building, all data should be independently verified. All data provided are only estimates and should not be used to make any purchase or sale decision.
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