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Asser Levy Public Baths
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NYC Landmark #234
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(2010)
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| Location: | Asser Levy Place and East 23rd Street Manhattan, New York City |
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| Built: | 1904 |
| Architect: | Brunner & Aiken |
| Architectural style: | Roman Revival |
| NRHP Reference#: | 80002709[1] |
| NYCL #: | 234 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | April 23, 1980 |
| Designated NYCL: | March 19, 1974 |
The Public Baths, or Asser Levy Public Baths is an historical building located at the corner of Asser Levy Place and East 23rd Street in Manhattan, New York City. It was built in 1904-1906[2] and designed by Arnold W. Brunner and Martin Aiken of the firm Brunner & Aiken.
The baths were an important part of the drive to alleviate sanitary problems in the city. Many New Yorkers, especially immigrants living in overcrowded tenements, had no place to bathe – a 1896 survey found that there was one bathtub in the Lower East Side for every 79 families[3] – and progressive social reformers pushed for the construction of public bathhouses modeled on those of ancient Rome.[2] In 1895, the state passed a law requiring that localities build public baths, but New York City did not built its first bathhouse, on Rivington Street until 1901.[3] In 1903, the city's Department of Docks and Ferries released land for a new bathhouse on 23rd Street, which was originally called the East 23rd Street Bathhouse. The design by Brunner & Aiken in Roman Revival style was inspired by Roman baths and the "City Beautiful" movement as well.[3]
The building now houses two swimming pools, one outdoors for use in the summer, and one indoors for the rest of the year, and a public health club. It is part of the Asser Levy Recreation Center, which also includes the Asser Levy Playground next door. Asser Levy was one of the first Jewish citizens of New York City, and a strong and influential advocate for civil liberties.
The Asser Levy Public Baths building, which was restored by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation in 1988-90,[3] was designated a New York City landmark in 1974[2], and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.