Corner Pearl Street and Broad Streets

Buildings on Pearl (left) and Broad (right) streets, with the historic Fraunces Tavern on the southeast corner. Photograph by Hermann Newell Tiemann(1863-1957), taken in 1913. Source: New York Public Library.

In 1762, Samuel Fraunces acquired the former mansion, built in 1719, and established the Queen’s-Head Tavern in the building, in the early 1763. By this time the area was largely devoted to commercial interests. Fraunces sold its tavern 1785.

Eleven of the present 16 buildings in the block were constructed between 1827 and 1833. These buildings reflect the late Federal and Greek Revival styles as they were used for commercial architecture. The present structure of the building at 101 Broad Street, adjacent to Fraunces Tavern, was built in 1854.

Fraunces Tavern was restored in 1906/1907. In 1978, the Fraunces Tavern Block was designated a New York City Historic District. Boundaries: The southern curb line of Pearl Street, the western curb line of Coenties Slip, the northern curb line of Water Street and the eastern curb line of Broad Street.