New York City's Smallest Piece Of Private Land Exists For Spite
- 10 years ago
New York City won most of the war against David Hess in 1910, but Hess' Triangle serves as a reminder that Hess won the last battle.
Personal property owners usually don't have an easy time fighting city hall so it's not surprising that a man who got the smallest slice of victory pie would want it commemorated. New York City won most of the war against David Hess in 1910, but Hess' Triangle serves as a reminder that Hess won the last battle.
Back then, the city bought and destroyed almost 300 buildings in what is now West Village to broaden streets and lengthen the old subway line. Part of their plan included Hess' 5-story building, which stood at the corner of Christopher Street and 7th Avenue.
Hess fought the city in court only to lose his building to eminent domain law. By 1914, all that remained of his property was a triangular plot measuring around 3.5 square feet – slightly more than the city's largest pizza slice.
The city then asked Hess to donate the leftover as part of the public sidewalk. This time, Hess won in court. In 1922, he installed mosaic tiles with a special inscription.
Today, Hess' Triangle stands in front of the Village Cigars shop, which bought the small piece of history for $1,000 in 1938 - the equivalent of $16,200 today. The average price for any similar size piece of land in that area is now $7,750.
Personal property owners usually don't have an easy time fighting city hall so it's not surprising that a man who got the smallest slice of victory pie would want it commemorated. New York City won most of the war against David Hess in 1910, but Hess' Triangle serves as a reminder that Hess won the last battle.
Back then, the city bought and destroyed almost 300 buildings in what is now West Village to broaden streets and lengthen the old subway line. Part of their plan included Hess' 5-story building, which stood at the corner of Christopher Street and 7th Avenue.
Hess fought the city in court only to lose his building to eminent domain law. By 1914, all that remained of his property was a triangular plot measuring around 3.5 square feet – slightly more than the city's largest pizza slice.
The city then asked Hess to donate the leftover as part of the public sidewalk. This time, Hess won in court. In 1922, he installed mosaic tiles with a special inscription.
Today, Hess' Triangle stands in front of the Village Cigars shop, which bought the small piece of history for $1,000 in 1938 - the equivalent of $16,200 today. The average price for any similar size piece of land in that area is now $7,750.