The district was designated a New York City landmark in 1967[2] and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

[1] The land under what would become the historic district was purchased in 1796 by Nicholas Low, a prominent New York merchant.

The original plans for the houses called for street level retail space and dormered roofs.

Coffin's intention was to create an affordable development for middle-class professionals in what had become a slum; the project would be the most extensive such effort to that time.

They removed all the buildings' stoops, altered the doorways and entrances to the basement level, and combined the rear yards to make a common garden which included a playground for children.