The Century Building, built in 1880, was the headquarters of the Century Publishing Company that got famous for publishing popular magazines for adults and children like The Century Magazine and the St. Nicholas Magazine. The well-built Century Building is a commercial space that features splendid balconies, turrets and small windows. In 1995, Barnes & Noble retail bookstore moved in to this building. Designated as a New York City Landmark in 1993, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It also won the 1996 Preservation Award for Restoration by the Municipal Art Society.
Not many tourists visit the Tweed Courthouse but head here if you want an insider look at New York's politics with all its scandals. This stately Neoclassical building is typical of 19th century Victorian architecture in America. It is a designated National Historic Landmark and New York City Landmark, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, after the City Hall facing it, this courthouse is the city's second oldest government building. Formerly known as the site of a major political scandal, today, it houses the city's Department of Education and is open to guided tours. The courthouse has also been filmed for movies like Gangs of New York and Kramer vs. Kramer.
Washington Square Arch stands at a height of 77 feet (23.47 meters), at the point where the Fifth Avenue meets the Washington Square Park. This marble arch is the park's most well-known monument, however this one isn't the original. The original was constructed of plaster and wood in 1889 and it was one of four arches built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as the President of the United States. The famed architect Stanford White designed this one three years later in 1892, however the statues of Washington on its piers were not added until 20 years later. The arch is made of Westchester marble and it is a must-visit attraction when strolling between the West and East Village or exploring around NYU.
