134 Fifth Avenue
The delicate cast iron façade of 134 Fifth Avenue, one of the few left on the avenue, was designed by architect Charles R. Behrens in 1893 to replace that of the 1853 brownstone mansion that stood on the site.
Behrens’ career in New York was cut short in 1895 when along with five others including the contractor he was indicted for manslaughter by a New York Grand Jury in connection with a major architectural disaster – the collapse of the Ireland Building. This eight-story structure, designed for developer John B. Ireland, suffered the failure of an internal column while under construction, resulting in the deaths of 15 workers. Examination of the scene appeared to show that the failed column had been built on top of an ancient well.
The case was considered important in establishing legal responsibility for such accidents.