A daring anarchist designed it. That’s the Decker Building’s secret. Right here before you stands this architectural marvel.
The Decker Building. More than just bricks and mortar. It’s a story etched in limestone and terra cotta. A testament to a radical architect John Edelmann. A man so outspoken he was kicked out of the Socialist Labor Party. He designed this building for Decker Brothers piano company. Imagine the sounds of pianos filling this space in 1893. The year it was finished.
The building’s style is unique. A blend of Moorish and Venetian influences. Notice the lacy terra cotta patterns adorning the facade. Those intricate details are a work of art. Some windows even boast Juliet balconies. A touch of romance in a bold building. Originally there was a minaret atop the two-story tower. It’s gone now. Lost to time.
The Decker Building wasn’t just a place of business. It became Andy Warhol’s second Factory. From 1968 to 1974. A hub of artistic creation. But tragedy struck in 1968. Valerie Solanas shot Warhol here. The building’s history carries the weight of this event.
In 1994 the building was sold. Architect Joseph Pell Lombardi oversaw a beautiful restoration. Today it houses a store and residential units. A blend of old and new.
So next time you walk past the Decker Building. Remember its fascinating history. Remember the radical architect. Remember Andy Warhol’s Factory. Remember the echoes of the past. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to art. To history. To life itself. The Decker Building. A treasure of Union Square.