By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
LITTLE ITALY — The city designated a pair of low-rise Grand Street buildings that are among the oldest in Manhattan as landmarks this week.
The Federal-style houses at 190 and 192 Grand St., between Mott and Mulberry streets, were constructed around 1833 by former New York Lieutenant Governor Stephen Van Rensselaer as part of a row of five contiguous, single-family properties.
The Piemonte Ravioli Company has occupied the ground-floor storefront of 190 Grand St. since 1930, while Florio's Restaurant has occupied the storefront at 192 Grand St. since the 1960s.
The three-story buildings maintain much of their original architectural features, including red brick laid in the Flemish bond pattern, molded brownstone lintels on the third story, and a pitched roof with segmental dormers.
"Both of these houses are rare examples of the Federal period that have survived the past 180 years with very few changes, even as their surroundings changed dramatically," said Robert B. Tierney, chairman of the city Landmarks Preservation Commission, in a statement.
The properties are among 20 Federal-style houses that have been designated city landmarks since 2003.
