Newsboys’ Lodging House

The Newsboys’ Lodging House, located at 295 East 8^th Street, was constructed in 1886 by the Children’s Aid Society as a shelter for «the grimy little boot-​blacks and their rivals in trade, the newsboys,» according to an 1886 Harper’s Weekly article. It was designed by Calvert Vaux, partner of Frederick Law Olmstead and architect of notable New York sights, including Belvedere Castle and Central Park.
In the early 20^th century, this building was a shul, according to the legend on the lintel. («Talmud Torah Darghei Noam»)
In the 1970s, this – along with many other neighborhood buildings – was abandoned, decaying and in danger of irrevocable ruin; most people aren’t aware that if it weren’t for squatters, these would be irrevocably lost to water damage as a result of leaky roofs. (Scrappers, of course, liked to scavenge the copper and sell it for scrap.) It’s a mixed blessing they’ve been preserved for their real-​estate value and converted into luxury housing.
This building was also restored a few years ago, and the roof entirely replaced with new slates expected to last 100 years or more. It’s now received landmark designation.