Broadway Entrance of Hoffman House by George Edward Harding

This engraving, signed by U.S. architect George Edward Harding (1843-1907), published in 1885 in the The Hoffman House, C.H. Read & E.S. Stokes. Proprietors − Its Attractions by F.G. de Fontain, represents the main entrance of the old Hoffman House on Broadway.

The following text accompanied the illustration above:

«This entrance, probably the most noticeable of any hotel in the metropolis, is characterized by the elaborateness and beauty of its ceiling and side walls, ornamented by "trophies" in relief of "Carton Pierre," decorated in gold, copper and silver from the designs and under the supervision of Mr. Harding, the architect. The elaborate bronzing was executed by Edouard Leissner, of Fifth Avenue.»

The original Hoffman House was a seven-story palatial establishment, designed in Italian Renaissance, completed about October 1864. In this year, Harding was only 21 years old. This entrance was probably designed for a later renovation. In 1867, Harding was a special student at Columbia College, pursuing a partial course and the College's catalogue gives his address at Hoffman House. It is believed that he began professional practice in Yew York City in 1872. Later, Harding also designed the Holland House, the Hotel Brunswick, the Postal Telegraph Building and many other buildings.