Nolita in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Home of Photographer Robert Frank

184 Bowery

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

1. Home Of Photographer Robert Frank Marker

Inscription. You are standing at the former home and studio of Swiss-born photographer/filmmaker Robert Frank (b. 1924). Frank’s landmark 1958 book, The Americans “changed the nature of photography, what it could say and how it could say it …it remains perhaps the most influential photography book of the 20th century,” according to critic Sean O’Hagan (The Guardian, 2014). Frank’s films include the Beat Generation classic Pull My Daisy (1959) and the notorious Rolling Stones documentary Cocksucker Blues (1972). Later, Frank expanded into photomontage and music video work.

An 1887 Renaissance Revival style structure designed by William Graul as a commercial space, 184 Bowery became the Lincoln Hotel in 1924, the name of which is repeated on each step of the building’s first flight of stairs. Converted to artist lofts in 1969, it was provided a nurturing space for photographers Paco Grande and Daniel Seymour, actress Jessica Lange, musician John Campo, and artist June Leaf.

In 1970, Joh Lennon and Yoko Ono shot their famous avant-garde short Fly here.

Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.

Location. 40° 43.248′ N, 73° 59.644′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Nolita. It is on Bowery near Spring Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 184 Bowery, New York NY 10012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Christians, Cops, Elks & Anarchism (within shouting distance of this marker); From Making Money To Making Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace Of Vaudeville? (within shouting distance of this marker); Yiddish Theatre’s 1st American Home

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

2. Home Of Photographer Robert Frank Marker

The marker is in the window to the right of the door.

(within shouting distance of this marker); “Big Tim” Sullivan’s Clubhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Longest-Running Catalogue In America (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 200 Years & Counting (about 300 feet away); Vaudeville Hook Is Born! (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

More about this marker. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

3. Inset

1939 Tax Photo of 184 Bowery, NYC Municipal Archives. Note ornate cornice.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

4. Inset

Photographer Robert Frank

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

5. Home Of Photographer Robert Frank Marker

Robert Frank’s THE AMERICANS

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

6. Inset

Lincoln Hotel stairs

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 1,363 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 5, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.