Chambers Street is named for attorney John Chambers (1710–1764), an important
parishioner at
Trinity Church in Manhattan, where he was vestryman (1726–1757) and warden (1757–1765) of the church for 38 years, son of William Chambers, and husband of Anna Van Cortlandt.[1][2][3][4][5] Chambers's nephew was
John Jay.[6][7] John Murray, Chambers' law partner, has nearby Murray Street named after him.[8]
Before 1971, Chambers Street continued east of Centre Street as a street called New Chambers Street, which ran through the Municipal Building's archway. In its final configuration, New Chambers Street carried traffic westbound from the intersection of
Park Row, the
Brooklyn Bridge off-ramp, and Duane Street. In 1971, the street was closed to make way for the construction of the pedestrian plaza at
1 Police Plaza.[9] Duane Street was also closed and the intersection with Park Row was eliminated, with Park Row rerouted underneath the pedestrian plaza.[10]
Beginning in 2010, Chambers Street was fully reconstructed.[11] The rebuilding was finished in 2015.[12]