212 West 71st Street
212 West 71st Street
NB Number: NB 459-1891
Type: Rowhouse
Architect: Pelham, George F.
Developer/Owner/Builder: Edelmeyer & Morgan
Row Configuration: Originally part of a larger row of seven houses of which this, 214, 222, and 224
West 71st Street are the only remaining houses.
NYC Landmarks Designation: Historic District
Landmark Designation Report: Addendum to the West End-Collegiate Historic District Extension Designation Report
National Register Designation: N/A
Primary Style: Romanesque Revival with alterations
Primary Facade: Brownstone
Stories: placeholder
Window Type/Material: placeholder
Basement Type: 3 and basement and sub-basement
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension
Special Windows: Leaded windows with stained-glass decorative panes and transoms at first story.
Decorative Metal Work: Tall iron gate with arrowheads and decorative scrollwork at areaway appears to date to at least the c. 1939 tax photograph (painted).
Significant Architectural Features: Edwardian bay window at first story with shield and herald
details; richly-carved foliate details at second and third stories; recessed windows at third story
separated by recessed colonettes; molded cornice flanked by turret-like details and featuring
foliate and floral details and fretwork at frieze
Alterations: At least one basement entry is historic but likely not original (prior to 1917; see “Building Notes”); replaced sashes, except where noted in “Special Windows” (presently has nine-over-one double-hung sashes, as is present in the c. 1939 tax photograph, but the sashes themselves do not appear historic); corbel missing from eastern turret-like detail at cornice; lights, signage, and intercoms at main entry.
Building Notes: Originally part of a larger row of seven houses of which this, 214, 222, and 224 West 71st Street are the only remaining houses. Although it is not known what the houses at 216-220 West 71st Street looked like (demolished for construction of the existing apartment house), it is evident based on the c. 1939 tax photograph that no. 212 and no. 224 were originally identical in appearance, as were no. 214 and no. 222. This indicates that the existing Edwardian bay window at this building is not original to the structure. It was probably added between 1905 and 1917, during which time the stoop was apparently removed (the building is described as 3 stories and basement in 1905, but as four stories in 1917).
Site Features: Two-masonry stoops (covered in flagstone) within areaway; non-historic metal handrails within areaway; metal stairs to sub-basement entry within areaway.
Notable History and Residents: In 1932, prohibition agents raided the building, which was then a speakeasy known as the “Iron Gate,” arresting five persons and seizing 50 bottles of liquor. At the time, the entire four-story building was occupied by the night club. It is rumored that notable persons, including Mayor Jimmy Walker and Harry Houdini, at one point resided within the row house. The building presently functions again as a residence with offices at the lower stories.
References: “Dry Raid at Night Club,” New York Times, December 24, 1932, 14; Tracie Rozhon, “Jimmy Walker Lied Here… Well Maybe He Did,” New York Times, April 16, 1995, R4.
North Facade: Designed (historic, painted)
Door(s): Replaced primary door; non-historic secondary door (matches primary door)
Windows: Mixed (upper stories); possibly historic (basement)
Cornice: Original
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Low masonry walls (painted) with metal fencing and gate (see “Decorative Metal Work”)
Areaway Paving Material(s): Flagstone
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Concrete and metal
East Facade: Not designed (historic)
Facade Notes: Red brick
Alterations: Sashes replaced (openings may not be original); two through-wall air conditioner units; commercial signage for adjacent parking garage; repointed; chimney resurfaced and painted.