His first work in the field was in partnership with William Beer from 1837 to 1840,[5] then in 1842 he joined the firm of Joseph Trench.
[5] Its "palazzo mode – borrowed from Charles Barry's London clubs"[7] set a style for New York commercial hotels that lasted until mid-century.
Stephen Decatur Hatch, who later became a notable architect on his own, worked as a draftsman in Snook's office from 1860 to 1864.
[11] Snook also designed churches, hotels, institutions – the Odd Fellows Hall (1847–48), Grand Street, survives (with some additions) and is a New York City Landmark[12] – and hospitals.
His other designs include residences such as the villa in Sleepy Hollow, New York, commissioned by Anson G. Phelps (1851),[13] and those of the Vanderbilt and Lorillard families.