Carl Pfeiffer (1834–1888) was a German American architect practicing in New York City.

Life and career Carl Pfeiffer was born in 1834 in Brunswick, Germany, and came to the United States as a teenager in 1850. He was trained in architecture and engineering in Ohio and elsewhere in the midwest before coming east to New York City , where he worked as a draftsman for four additional years.Joseph Thomas, "Pfeiffer, Carl" in Universal Pronouncing Dictionary of Biography and Mythology 2 (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1905) 711. At an unknown date he also worked with the Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan, who in 1868 called him a "friend and former pupil.""Metropolitan Savings Bank" in Sloan's Architectural Review and Builders Journal 1 (November, 1868): 296-299. In 1864 he established an office of his own in New York, and was in continuous practice until his death in 1888. He was particularly known for his expertise in ventilation systems, and designed many hospitals and churches.

Pfeiffer joined the American Institute of Architects in 1867, and was elected a Fellow in 1872.Carl Pfeiffer, AIA Historical Directory of American Architects. For two years he was secretary of the organization."Carl Pfeiffer" in Engineering and Building Record 17, no. 23 (May 5, 1888): 323. Following his death, Pfeiffer's practice was purchased by architect Peter J. Lauritzen, then of Brooklyn. Lauritzen's works include the Offerman Building in Brooklyn."Peter J. Lauritzen" in The Eagle and Brooklyn 3 (Brooklyn: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 1893): 893.

Personal life Pfeiffer was married to Elizabeth Dayton in 1871. She was the daughter of Aaron Ogden Dayton, the long-time Fourth Auditor of the United States Treasury."Married" in New York Times, April 19, 1871, 5. They had two children, a son and a daughter. For the last few years of his life Pfeiffer was in poor health, and about a month prior to his death traveled south to Asheville, North Carolina, in search of rest. On his return north he stopped at the home of relatives in Washington, D.C., where he died April 27, 1888."Carl Pfeiffer's Death" in New York Times, April 29, 1888, 10. His wife died August 21, 1913, in New York."Died" in New York Times, August 23, 1913, 7.

Legacy Two of Pfeiffer's works have been designated New York City Landmarks, one of which has also been listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.

Architectural works 140 West Broadway building, New York City (1866)Tribeca West Historic District LPC Designation Report (1991) Church of the Messiah, 10 Park Ave, New York City (1866–68, demolished 1931)David W. Dunlap, From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship (New York: Columbia University Press, 2004) German Hospital, Park Ave and E 77th St, New York City (1867, demolished)"The New German Hospital" in Harper's Weekly 11, no. 569 (November 23, 1867): 748. Metropolitan Savings Bank Building, 9 E 7th St, New York City (1867, NYCL 1969, NRHP 1979)Metropolitan Savings Bank NRHP Registration Form (1979) Roosevelt Hospital, 1000 Tenth Ave, New York City (1869–71, demolished)North American Journal of Homeopathy 18, no. 70 (November, 1869): 285. Germania Fire Insurance Company Bowery Building, 357 Bowery, New York City (1870, NYCL 2010)Germania Fire Insurance Company Bowery Building LPC Designation Report (2010) "Oak Terrace" for Valentine G. Hall Jr., 794 Woods Rd, Clermont, New York (1872)Shannon Butler, Roosevelt Homes of the Hudson Valley (Charleston: History Press, 2020) Second Reformed (Hope) Church, 77 W 11th St, Holland, Michigan (1872–74, demolished 1981)History of Ottawa County, Michigan (Chicago: H. R. Page & Company, 1882)About Hope Church, Hope Church. Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, 7 W 55th St, New York City (1873–75) St. Omer Hotel, 724 (formerly 384) Sixth Ave, New York City (1873, demolished)Real Estate Record and Builders Guide 12, no. 279 (July 19, 1873): 342. Middletown State Hospital, 45 Ashley Ave, Middletown, New York (1874, demolished) New Jersey Building, Centennial Exposition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1876, temporary building)"The Illustrations" in American Architect and Building News 1 (April 1, 1876): 109. The Berkshire, 21 E 52nd St, New York City (1881, demolished)"A Modern Apartment House" in Carpentry and Building 3, no. 9 (September, 1881): 165. House for Earl P. Mason, 23 Charlesfield St, Providence, Rhode Island (1882, demolished 1952)John Hutchins Cady, The Civic and Architectural Development of Providence 1636-1950 (Providence: The Book Shop, 1957) House for Annie Dayton and Mary Dayton, 1917 N St NW, Washington, DC (1883, demolished)American Architect and Building News 13, no. 374 (February 24, 1883): 96. Moses Taylor Hospital, 700 Quincy Ave, Scranton, Pennsylvania (1883, partially extant)Manufacturer and Builder 15, no. 5 (May, 1883): 113. House for Horatio N. Campbell Jr., 50 Narragansett Bay Ave, Warwick, Rhode Island (1884)American Architect and Building News 15, no. 419 (January 5, 1884): 11.Building 2, no. 7 (April, 1884) All Saints Memorial Episcopal Church (former), 11 Aspetuck Ave, New Milford, Connecticut (1885–88)"All Saints' Memorial Church, New Milford, Conn." in Churchman 58, no. 16 (October 20, 1888): 497.

Gallery of architectural works

Bibliography Carl Pfeiffer, American Mansions and Cottages (Boston: Ticknor, 1889)

See also Hamilton Park, Staten Island

Notes

References