Elisha Blackman Building, New Haven

The Elisha Blackman Building, also known as the York-Chapel Building, is a notable historic structure located on York Street, at the southwest corner of York and Chapel Streets in Downtown New Haven. Built in 1883, this four-story mixed-use commercial and residential block is a distinguished example of 19th-century commercial architecture, notable for its high-quality craftsmanship and survival amid a cityscape that has lost many of its peers. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The building is constructed of red brick with stone trim and features a trapezoidal footprint, a result of the uniquely shaped lot it occupies. Its ground floor includes four storefronts—one facing York Street and three on Chapel Street. The Chapel Street façade is defined by stone columns that separate the shops, while brick pilasters divide the York Street frontage. The upper floors feature polygonal bay and rectangular windows, adding height and visual appeal, while a metal-clad cornice crowns the building’s architectural style.

Originally built on a site that once hosted three houses, the building was a speculative commercial investment by Elisha Blackman, a local carriage maker. The identity of its architect remains unknown, though the structure’s design and material quality reflect a careful attention to detail. In the 1920s, the second floor was converted from residential apartments to professional offices, and the façade was extended to the sidewalk, supported by lally columns and steel beams—a significant early 20th-century modification.

The Elisha Blackman Building helped transform Upper Chapel Street from a residential to a commercial area, marking one of the first such developments west of High Street. Despite a 1977 fire and period of vacancy, it remains a rare and significant piece of New Haven’s architectural history.