155 Riverside Drive, AKA 360 West 88th Street

155 Riverside Drive

NB Number: NB 577-1910

Type:  Apartment Building

Architect:  Schwartz & Gross

Developer/Owner/Builder: Charter Construction Company

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report:  Riverside Drive- West End Historic District

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Neo-Renaissance

Primary Facade:   dark red brick, Stone, and Terra Cotta

Stories: 12

Window Type/Material: See Structure and Alterations

Structure: This twelve-story U shaped apartment building, with a courtyard opening to the south, is located at the southeast corner of Riverside Drive and West 88th Street, extending seventy-five feet along the drive and 100 feet along the side street. A twenty-five foot wide side yard is located to the south of the building. The building is faced in dark red brick laid in Flemish bond with stone and terra cotta trim.

Riverside Drive Facade: This facade is divided horizontally into a base, a midsection, and a top, and is articulated by five bays. The central bay contains four-over-one wood-framed windows; the others are tripartite, with two-over-one wood-framed sash flanking four-over-one sash. The two-story base rests on a stone water table and appears striated due to the coursing of the brick. The eight story midsection, separated from the base by a stringcourse, is punctuated by windows set in sharply cut rectangular window openings with stone sills. The two story top, enhanced by a variety of decorative terra cotta details, is capped by a cornice supported by elaborate scrolled brackets.

West 88th Street Facade: This facade is the entry facade. Its overall design corresponds to that of the Riverside Drive facade. It has eight bays of windows. The four central bays have single six-over-one wood-framed windows and the end bays have paired windows. The remaining bays are tripartite. The entrance to the building encompasses the central two bays of the first two stories. The entry contains wood and glass double doors with sidelights and a three-part transom. The classically inspired surround is embellished with floral carvings and a flat entablature projects from the wall surface. The areaway at the eastern part of this facade is enclosed by a pipe rail fence.

Southern Elevation: The southern elevation of this building is partially visible from Riverside Drive. It has two wings flanking a recessed courtyard area. The brick of this elevation matches that of the principal facades and some of the ornamental detail is continued. Three bays of windows are visible.

Eastern Elevation: The eastern elevation is partially visible from West 88th Street. It is faced in brick. Two bays of windows are visible; two windows have six-over-one sash, others have replacement sash.

Historic District: Riverside Drive- West End HD

Alterations: Approximately thirty percent of the original windows have been replaced with aluminum sash. The water table is painted gray and some of the brick of the eastern elevation is also painted. A low concrete block wall joins the Riverside Drive facade to the neighboring structure.

History: This apartment building was designed by the prolific architectural firm of Schwartz & Gross and constructed in 1910-i1 for the Charter Construction Company. It replaced three rowhouses formerly on the site. Earlier, the site was occupied by a red brick villa — the residence of General Egbert Viele, an engineer, initial planner of Central Park, and civic leader recognized as influential in the urbanization of the Upper West Side. Selected References: M. Christine Boyer, Manhattan Manners (New York, 1985), 196-200. Peter Salwen, “The Rice Mansion and its Neighbors: Early Views of Riverside Drive,” LPC Research Files, 1980. Peter Salwen, Upper West Side Story: A History and Guide (New York, 1989), 316. The World’s Loose Leaf Album of Apartment Houses (New York, 1910), xvii, 14.