254 West 73rd Street

254 West 73rd Street

Date: 1887-88

NB Number: NB 569-1887

Type:  Rowhouse

Architect:  Mott, Charles T.

Developer/Owner/Builder: William J. Merritt & Co.

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 and Brownstone

Stories: 4 and basement

Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension

Significant Architectural Features: Rusticated brownstone at basement and first story, brick above with splayed brick lintels at second and third stories; metal arcaded cornice with foliate brackets above third story.

Alterations: Large dormer with triple windows and prominent ogee pediment removed after c. 1980s tax photograph; remaining areas of fourth story refaced and painted; non-historic infill at openings beneath basement window openings; light fixture above main entry and at basement entry.

Building Notes: New building application 569-1887 was for the development of 19 row houses, designed by Charles T. Mott (238 to 272 West 73rd Street). Only 16 of the original row houses were completed (January 5, 1889), with two of the not-completed homes located in the middle of the row. These two homes, nos. 246 and 248, were later constructed as part of a separate building application (NB 597-1889). Four of the houses were later demolished for construction of the apartment house at 240 West 73rd Street (aka 238-244 West 73rd Street), leaving 14 houses of the original row still standing, including the two 1889 structures. The homes are each distinct in design, but some have interrelated architectural elements, including continuous bands and cornices, meant to tie them together into cohesive groups. Possibly historic wood frames remain at some window openings. Possibly historic carved wood-and-glass double-leaf doors in molded frame partially visible within vestibule.

Site Features: L-shaped stoop with high sidewall facing West 73rd Street; concrete stairs with non-historic metal handrails descend into areaway.

North Facade: Designed (historic)
Stoop: Resurfaced and painted stoop (gate under stoop – replaced)
Door(s): Possibly historic primary door; non-original paneled wood-and-glass door with possibly historic security grille at light
Windows: Possibly historic (upper stories); replaced (basement)
Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories); possibly historic (basement)
Roof: Replaced (pitched – historically featured barrel tiles (replaced))
Notable Roof Features: Sloped roof
Cornice: Original
Areaway Paving Material(s): Concrete (resurfaced)
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Granite