Zucker, Alfred, 1852-

Born in Freiburg in Prussian Silesia on January 23, 1852, Alfred Zucker was educated at the Polytechnic Schools of Breig, Hanover and Berlin. Afterward, he worked briefly for the State Railways Service at Hanover before immigrating to New York in 1872. From 1873 to 1876, he worked in the Office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. under Alfred Mullett and W.A. Potter. Zucker practiced in Galveston, Texas for a very brief period before moving to Vicksburg, Mississippi.

While in Mississippi, he served as consultant for the Vicksburg and Meridian Railroad from 1876 to 1882 and as architect for public buildings for the State of Mississippi from 1877 to 1882. Among his designs for buildings in the South are: the State A&M College at Starkville (1877-1880), the State Institute for the Blind in Jackson (1879-1880) and the State Insane Asylum in Meridian (1880-1882). Due to his failing health, he moved to Europe in 1882.

In 1883, he returned to New York and practiced with Henry Fernbach (who died the same year in 1883). Zucker was a partner with John R. Hinchman from 1884 to 1888. In 1888, Zucker won the competition for the Progress Club, a prominent German Jewish club. The following year, he designed the Hotel Majestic on Central Park West. Its inventive plan provided numerous light courts for both light and views of Central Park. This grand apartment building contained opulent interiors including a Moorish-inspired dining hall with vast Gothic fan vaults.

In the late 1880s, Zucker was instrumental in the development of a new mercantile district in the west of lower Broadway. The Cohnfield Building (1884) was the first such structure to be built in this new warehouse district. Other buildings designed by Zucker in this area included the Rouss Building (1873) and 484-490 Broome Street. These warehouse or loft structures were characterized by the use of cast iron facades and utilized the popular styles of the era. Zucker also designed many structures in the Washington Square area including 236-250 Wooster Street (1896).

After 1896, Zucker's commissions diminished considerably. Perhaps in order to bolster his practice, he formed a partnership with James Riely Gordon in 1902. In 1904, however, he fled to Montevideo, South America to escape a $100,000 suit filed by Gordon, who alleged fraud and misrepresentation.

From the guide to the Alfred Zucker (1852-?) Drawings, New York City buildings ZUCK Accession number(s): 1979002., 1880-1904, (Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.)

Zucker (b. 1852), an architect who practiced in Texas, Mississippi and New York, was instrumental in the development of a new mercantile district on lower Broadway in the late 1880s and designed many warehouses and loft buildings in New York City.

He formed a partnership with James Riely Gordon in 1902, but fled to Montevideo, South America in 1904 to escape a lawsuit filed by Gordon who alleged fraud and misrepresentation.

From the description of Alfred Zucker drawings, 1880-1904. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 29017205