Hidden amidst the bustling cityscape, Staple Street may appear as just another alleyway in New York City. However, this two-block stretch holds a unique feature that sets it apart: the Staple Street Skybridge. Suspended high above this narrow passage, a cast-iron bridge connects two buildings, sparking curiosity and intrigue among passersby.
To understand the presence of this peculiar Staple Street Skybridge, we need to delve into the history of the buildings it unites. These structures were once part of the New York Hospital, now known as New York Presbyterian. Looking south on Staple Street, the building on the east side, 60 Hudson Street, served as the hospital’s “house of relief,” functioning as an emergency room when it was built in 1893. Across the street, on the west side at 9 Jay Street, stood the hospital’s laundry facility, constructed in 1907. The Staple Street Skybridge was engineered to link the third floors of these two essential hospital departments.
Even though the New York Hospital eventually relocated, the Staple Street Skybridge remained a fixture, standing for over a century. Today, a subtle terra cotta shield cartouche bearing “N.Y.H.” on the 9 Jay Street building is the only remaining visible sign of the site’s past medical function. Despite renovations to the buildings over time, this historical emblem has been preserved.
Currently, the third floors of both buildings, connected by the iconic Staple Street Skybridge, have been transformed into a combined 7,500-square-foot loft apartment. Owning this exceptional space means acquiring properties on both sides of the Staple Street Skybridge, resulting in a luxurious Tribeca residence boasting five bedrooms, five bathrooms, soaring ceilings, ample natural light, a rooftop deck, and its own private skybridge. This unique architectural feature elevates Staple Street from a simple alleyway to a noteworthy point of interest in Manhattan, blending historical significance with modern urban living.
