The First Diamond District in NYC – Maiden Lane<\/h2>\n

The modern Diamond District in NYC traces its roots back to Maiden Lane, located on the Southern tip of Manhattan, in 1795. Post the Colonial war many jewelers came together to form a small consortium where New Yorkers knew they could go to buy jewelry. The area grew very slowly over the next hundred years until the construction of 14 Maiden Lane, a 10-story office building completed in 1894 at a cost of $275,000. This building was built specifically for the diamond trade, but unfortunately, it actually wobbled when the wind blew! This required structural reinforcement on each level. 14 Maiden Lane was eventually fortified and ready for occupancy by 1900.<\/p>\n

14 Maiden Lane was where the modern Diamond District in NYC first came to life. \u00a0Its fireproof design and reinforced concrete flooring were ideal for heavy jewelry safes of the diamond merchants of the time. The 10-story building still exists today and currently stands as 9 loft apartments. Later other buildings such as the Cushman Building (1 Maiden Lane \u2013 circa 1900) were built. Eventually, Maiden Lane was home to over 300 jewelry businesses, and expansion continued to two additional NYC Diamond Districts.<\/p>\n