The Brown Building and the Triangle Fire
The Brown Building, formerly the Asch Building, stands at 23–29 Washington Place and now belongs to NYU. On 25 March 1911 at 4:40 pm fire broke out on the 8th floor of the Triangle Waist Company, which occupied floors 8 to 10. With the exit doors locked, 146 people died.
Address23–29 Washington Place
Built1901, 10 storeys
Fire25 March 1911, 4:40 pm
Died146: 123 women and girls, 23 men
Most of the dead were Italian and Jewish immigrants aged 14 to 23. New York State passed 38 new labour laws between 1911 and 1913. The building is a National Historic Landmark and a city landmark. Both the history walk and the ghost walk stop here.
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Frequently asked questions
Where did the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire happen?
In the Brown Building (then the Asch Building), 23–29 Washington Place, on floors 8 to 10.
How many people died in the Triangle fire?
146: 123 women and girls and 23 men, mostly Italian and Jewish immigrants aged 14 to 23.
Which tours stop at the Brown Building?
The history walk and the ghost walk; the history page places the fire in the Village’s story.