The archive of over 250 letters, drawings, invoices, leases, mortgages, bonds, and deeds related to 516 Broadway, New York, NY, documents the legal and financial transactions as well as building alterations administered by owner Edward Livingston and his partner C.L. Perkins. The six-story loft building at 514 and 516 Broadway, extending through the block to 60 and 62 Crosby Street, together with the adjoining six-story loft building at 64 and 66 Crosby Street was built on the site of the burned out Theatre Comique in 1881. Livingston, who already owned the neighboring property before acquiring 516 Broadway, was responsible for hiring architects Hugh Lamb and Charles Rich to convert a portion of the building into stores. Additionally, Livingston employed famed Otis Elevator Company to equip a passenger elevator in an already existing framed shaft.

In 1886, misfortune struck in the form of a devastating fire to the so-called "fire-proof" building. The fire destroyed the Otis Elevator, burned out the three upper floors, and flooded the entire building. The Otis Elevator Company was rehired to replace the damaged lift, however, only two years later another fire destroyed much of the building's interior. Despite the many setbacks, the six-story granite, brick-fronted building still stands to this day.