Have you ever passed a building in Manhattan and wondered… How old is it? Who built it? Has anyone famous ever lived there?

143 East 62nd Street has always received that kind of attention. Since 1965, it has been the home to Tender Buttons; the go to shop for anything “button.” Since it’s building in 1868, this former brownstone-fronted row house has always stood out, not for any architectural significance, but because of its’ 12.5 foot width… making it probably the most narrow building in the area.

Originally built by Anna and Warren P. Crandall, the property has served as a home, an attorney’s office, twice a doctor’s office, Around 1928, the brick facade was added.

Then, in 1929, the widow of Enrico Caruso housed her “Dorothy Caruso Reproducing Studio” at 143. “Mrs. Caruso’s business is the making of individual photograph records, which instantly reproduce and perpetuate on aluminum anything from a greeting to a sales letter.”

Next, the property was home to the studio of artist and photographer George M. Kessler.

In May 1950, the interior was renovated to house the offices of real estate operator Michael Charles Berg. During this renovation, the left front door was replaced with a wide shop window. The New York Times reported, “It stands as one of the narrowest structures in the borough.”

In 1959, The Barn at Ben Robyn, a furniture store, took over the space, and remained there until 1965 when Tender Buttons began their tenure.

That brings us to present day. Who would have thought that such a tiny building would have such a varied, interesting history.