David S. Brown Soap Store

The David S. Brown Soap Store Building at 8 Thomas Street.

Built in 1875-76, this building is an example of Victorian Gothic or Gothic architecture, an 18th century movement originating in England. The architect was a young architect named Jarvis Morgan Slade, who tragically died a few years later at the age of 30. It was commissioned by David S. Brown, a soap manufacturer.

His company was a large regional presence producing products such as "Blizzard Soap," a laundry detergent, "David's Prize Soap," a toiletry product, and "Brown's Barber Soap," a shaving cream. The secret to his success was his pioneering use of product premiums, giving out jewelry, clocks, silverware, children's books, and toys in exchange for soap wrappers, and gimmicks like producing "Rough Riders Soap" to capitalize on Teddy Roosevelt's popularity, and throwing bars of soap from a decorated covered wagon during Albany's bicentennial celebration.

By 1998, the building had been taken over by a textile merchant, with a cafe on the ground floor. In 1984, it was converted to a high-end luxury condo. The building was landmarked in 1984, but the rest of the block is not, so it stands out dramatically. Today it is sandwiched between a modern residence tower and a McDonald's.


History sources from here.