219 West 70th Street

219 West 70th Street

NB Number: NB 225-1893

Type:  Rowhouse with alterations

Architect:  True, Clarence

Developer/Owner/Builder: H. Chaffee

Row Configuration: Part of a larger row of five row houses (215 to 223 West 70th Street), designed
in an ABBBA pattern. This house was converted to apartments in 1946 (ALT 1918-1946).

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

Primary Facade:   Brick, Buff Roman Brick, Limestone, and Roman Brick

Stories: 4 1/2 and basement

Special Windows: Cross-shaped window openings at upper half story (possibly historic sashes); arch-headed window openings at fourth story (sashes replaced); historically contained curved sashes at bay windows (sashes replaced).

Decorative Metal Work: Balconette rails at second and third stories (present in c. 1939 tax photograph).

Significant Architectural Features: Rusticated limestone at basement and first story, capped by a small molded cornice that is continuous with all of the houses of this row; Roman brick upper stories with limestone details including lintels at second and third stories, with foliate keystones at arched fourth story, and richly-carved window surrounds with cartouche details at upper half story; curved bays at second and third stories, capped by balustraded limestone balconette; bracketed cornice, continuous with other houses of the row; heavy, solid stoop sidewalls with fretted molding continuous with facade.

Alterations: Original stoop replaced with metal stoop (stoop and areaway sidewalls removed; prior to c. 1980s tax photograph); replaced sashes (one-over-one double-hung sashes present in c. 1939 tax photograph); air conditioner cuts through original balconette rail at western window at third story; light fixture at main entry; address plaque to west of main entry.

Building Notes: Part of a larger row of five row houses (215 to 223 West 70th Street), designed in an ABBBA pattern. This house was converted to apartments in 1946 (ALT 1918-1946).

Site Features: Non-historic metal handrails at stoop; brick steps with non-historic metal handrails descend into areaway; brick planting beds within sidewalls of areaway.

South Facade: Designed (historic, painted at basement and first story)
Stoop: Possibly historic
Door(s): Possibly historic primary door; non-historic door at basement entry
Windows: Replaced
Security Grilles: Not historic (first story); possibly historic (basement)
Cornice: Original
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Non-historic metal fencing
Areaway Paving Material(s): Non-historic brick

Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension