SOUTH
AND DEPEYSTER STREETS
NOVEMBER 26, 1935. ABBOTT FILE 52
Abbott took three photographs (this one, Fulton Street Dock, and Fish Market, South Street) on the South Street waterfront on the same day. DePeyster Street, little more than an alley, afforded a spectacular view of almost the full height of 60 Wall Tower, three blocks west of South Street. Although 60 Wall Tower and the Bank of Manhattan were two of the tallest buildings in the world--950 and 925 feet, respectively--the latter appears half the height of the former in the photograph. Another skyscraper, 120 Wall Street, is visible at the left edge; a real estate gamble, it was the only office tower built on South Street in Abbott's era.
The older buildings were more characteristic of South Street which fronted the East River piers. At 70 South Street (left) were the headquarters of the Marine, Firemen, Oilers, and Watertenders Union, and at 71-72 South Street (right) was a tobacco warehouse, which was formerly a prison. A horse cart and a food vendor with a jaunty stance added picturesque touches to the composition.
Today, DePeyster Street has been swallowed up by the Continental Center (1983), one of several gigantic office towers that have joined 120 Wall Street along the waterfront.