345 Grand Street

345 Grand Street on the Lower East Side is a 5-story cast iron beauty much like those in SoHo. It opened in December, 1888 as The Grand Street Museum, and was described as a “combination museum, theater, menagerie and aquarium.” It showcased living and other curiousities, and dramatic performances were held for an admission fee of 10 cents. Later uses of the building were a dance hall and a piano showroom. It is currently a condominium. The first floor is commercial space and the second through sixth floor are residential lofts.