Lord & Taylor building, ca. 1908.

The grand Second Empire building was completed in 1870, becoming the third Lord & Taylor store, and the first north of Union Square. Architect James H. Giles designed an intricate cast iron facade, notable for its departure from previous cast iron designs, which sought to emulate stonework. This store is also said to be the site of New York’s first department store Christmas window display.

In 1915, Lord & Taylor moved into a new showcase space uptown, and the building at Broadway and 20th Street was converted for manufacturing use.