What a mischievous grin that Puck statue has. Right there above the Lafayette Street entrance. It’s a fitting guardian for the Puck Building a building with a history as lively as its namesake.
The Puck Building. It’s more than just a building. It’s a landmark a testament to New York City’s rich past. Built between 1885 and 1893 it once housed the legendary Puck magazine. This wasn’t just any magazine. Puck was known for its humor its cartoons its biting political satire.
Joseph Keppler and Adolph Schwarzmann founded Puck. They were ambitious. They needed a building to match their ambition. So they commissioned Albert Wagner a German-born architect to design this stunning Romanesque Revival structure. Wagner’s design incorporated elements of the German Rundbogenstil style resulting in a unique blend of architectural styles. The red brick facade the rhythmic arches. They are iconic.
The building wasn’t without its challenges. When Lafayette Street was extended in the late 1890s a portion of the original building was demolished. A new facade and entrance were constructed. Puck magazine itself went out of business in 1918. The building found new life though. It housed printing firms for decades.
In 1978 Paul Serra’s family bought the Puck Building. Serra and his partner Peter Gee converted it into commercial condominiums. This wasn’t a simple renovation. They carefully restored many of the original interiors. They even regilded the Puck statues. These statues crafted by Henry Baerer. They are a highlight of the building’s facade. One is above the main entrance. The other watches over the northeast corner.
The Puck Building changed hands again in 1986. A syndicate led by Harry Skydell purchased it. Further renovations followed. In the 1990s Kushner Properties took over. The lower stories became a store in 2011. The upper floors were converted into luxurious penthouse apartments between 2011 and 2013.
So stand here. Look at this building. This is more than just brick and mortar. It’s a story of satire and success of innovation and adaptation. It’s a New York City icon. The Puck Building. It continues to evolve. It remains a captivating testament to the city’s ever-changing landscape. A legacy etched in brick. A legacy that continues to inspire.