United States Post Office (Cooper Station)
A streamlined Art Moderne post office built in 1937, honoring the industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper and serving Manhattan’s East Village since its completion.
At a glance
This corner post office at Fourth Avenue and East 11th Street represents the Art Moderne aesthetic that defined American civic architecture in the 1930s. It continues to serve the 10003 ZIP code area, with a secondary branch on East 3rd Street.
History
Designed by consulting architect William Dewey Foster and commissioned by the Office of the Supervising Architect of the United States Department of the Treasury, the building opened in 1937. The facility was named to honor Peter Cooper, the 19th-century industrialist and philanthropist whose legacy shaped the neighborhood. The structure earned recognition nearly five decades later, gaining listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
What you see
The building exemplifies Art Moderne design, characterized by streamlined forms and geometric precision. Its corner location emphasizes the modernist approach to urban function and visual presence that defined the style during the New Deal era.
Cultural significance
The post office stands as a testament to Peter Cooper’s enduring influence on the East Village. Named in his honor, it reflects his dual legacy as an industrialist and founder of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, the educational institution located nearby. The building itself represents the federal government’s investment in civic architecture during the Great Depression.
Key facts
- Location: 93 Fourth Avenue, corner of East 11th Street, Manhattan
- Completed: 1937
- Architect: William Dewey Foster
- Style: Art Moderne
- Coordinates: 40.73194444, -73.99
- Serves ZIP code: 10003
- National Register of Historic Places: Listed 1989
Practical information & getting there
The post office is accessible by subway via the N, R, W, or L trains. Multiple bus routes serve the neighborhood. The main branch operates at the corner location; the sub-station is situated on East 3rd Street near Avenue C for additional convenience.
Sources & resources
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