This week, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll, Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr., New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation Chair Tom Krizmanic and THE POINT Community Development Corporation President Maria Torres unveiled two historic district markers that commemorate the history of this block of Manida Street in the South Bronx and its designation as a historic district.
The newly installed markers, located in front of 814 and 860 Manida St., highlight the boundaries of the district and its historic significance.
“In designating this section of Manida Street as a historic district, the Commission hailed it as an impressive example of the early 20th century residential development in the South Bronx, and noted the local community’s remarkable stewardship of their neighborhood amidst decades of disinvestment in Hunts Point,” said Carroll. “With the installation of the district markers today, we commemorate the historic character of this very special district, and celebrate the residents of Manida Street, whose dedication to the beautiful homes that line this block has helped ensure they are preserved for generations to come.”
Salamanca, representative of the Bronx’s 17th Council District, said the historic designation is essential to the Hunts Point community.
‘‘With the economic boom brought on by the opening of the American Bank Note Company Printing Plant building at the onset of the 20th century, residential neighborhoods were created for the Bronx’s newest residents,” he said. “While many of these communities did not survive the period of disinvestment in the 70s and 80s, the classic, Renaissance Revival row houses on Manida Street stood the test of time and remained a connection to the borough’s vibrant past.”
The marker installation is part of the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation’s Historic District Marker Program, which fosters public awareness and civic pride in designated historic districts in the five boroughs through signage. A total of two markers have been installed in the Manida Street Historic District.
The newly installed markers are 19-inch by 36-inch terracotta-colored signs and feature a map on one side and a brief description and history of the district on the other. The marker text reads as follows:
“The Manida Street Historic District, designated in 2020, is a rare example of the early residential development of Hunts Point. The arrival of expanded transportation and manufacturing in the 1900s, including the landmark American Bank Note Company Printing Plant (1909-1911), led to rapid development in Hunts Point. Architect James F. Meehan developed these two-family houses in 1908-1909, designing those on the west side and hiring Daube & Kreymborg to design those on the east side. Executed primarily in the Renaissance Revival style, several houses feature Flemish Revival-style parapets. Residents of the block have preserved its historic character through the devastating impacts of economic and infrastructure changes throughout the 20th century. The block remains a picturesque residential enclave within the South Bronx.”
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