Built circa 1900-1901, the buildings now known as ‘The Foundry’ were originally industrial. When constructed they were intended for industrial/ commercial purposes rather than residential.
Both 310 and 312 E.23rd street were built by the E.W. Bliss Company, which manufactured industrial machinery and munitions. 312 East 23rd (originally 312-316 E. 23rd) was built in 1901; its architect was Rudolph Daus. 310 East 23rd (originally 304-310 E. 23rd) followed in 1905, with William Knowles as the architect. The buildings shared an on-site steam plant, and by 1915 were rented as lofts for printing and manufacturing businesses.
The 310 building , or portion thereof, was originally used for printing operations, likely involving large floor-plates, high ceilings, heavy structural loads (printing machines), and large open interiors with large windows for natural light, which were later well-suited for loft conversion.
The early 1900s in Manhattan saw many factories, warehouses and loft-building built in the garment/printing/industrial loft typology, steel- or concrete- framed, large windows, open floors often located near transportation (rail, freight, trucks), and convenient to labor and markets. The Gramercy/ 23rd street area was transitions from more mixed residential/ industrial uses, building built as factories or lofts, for manufacturing were common. Over time, as manufacturing declined in Manhattan and loft conversion became popular, (mid to late 20th century), the building was converted to residential use in the 1980’s.
At some time, there also seems to have been a roller-skating rink in the 312 building.