255 West 71st Street (former Godmothers League Shelter for Babies, now West End Day School)
255 West 71st Street
NB Number: NB 52-1946
Type: School
Architect: Bien, Sylvan
Developer/Owner/Builder: Godmothers League Inc. (Birdie Reich Shapiro, President)
Row Configuration: At least two of a larger row of 13 row houses (visible in the c. 1939 tax photograph) were demolished for construction the Godmothers League Shelter for Babies.
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: Moderne with alterations
Primary Facade: Brick, Concrete, Red Brick, and Yellow Brick
Stories: 4 and penthouse
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension
Significant Architectural Features: Large, curved, wrap-around balconies with metal railings (also at parapet); rectangular base with slightly projecting canopy.
Alterations: Replacement bricks at curved balconies (originally yellow brick matching remaining areas of building, replaced with red brick c. 1992); open areas of balcony filled in with wire mesh from floor to ceiling; replacement sashes at first story; non-original fencing and gate at entrance to garden (originally solid brick wall with gate); security cameras beneath canopy at main entry; chain-link fencing at parapet.
References: Christopher Gray, “Two Ways of Dealing with Aging Non-Landmarks,” New York Times, November 28, 1993, R5.
Building Notes: At least two of a larger row of 13 row houses (visible in the c. 1939 tax photograph) were demolished for construction the Godmothers League Shelter for Babies. The building was noted as a “club” on the new building application, but did not function as such. After a number of redesigns, ground was finally broken for this building in March 1949. The shelter ultimately opened in 1950.
References: “Baby Shelter Dedicated,” New York Times, April 24, 1950, 25; “New Home for Babies That has Been Built Here,” New York Times, September 19, 1950, 33; New York City Department of Buildings, New Building Application Dockets; “Start Made on Nursery Home,” New York Times, March 22, 1949, 23.
Site Features: Building occupies rear portion and eastern half of lot with garden at western half; non-original concrete-and-metal steps and ramp with low polished granite sidewall and glassand-metal rails at main entry; non-original metal fence and gate on low polished granite curbs at entry to garden area; patterned brick paving and plantings within garden area; stairway to belowgrade entry towards rear of garden area, surrounded by metal fencing, handrails, and gate; playground on roof (not visible from street).
Notable History and Residents: This building was originally constructed as facilities for the Godmothers League, for the temporary care of infants “without home or mother.” The league, originally founded in 1919 by Beth Levin Sigel, had previously operated a shelter on East 101st Street, but the new shelter here more than tripled the capacity of the organization. Upon opening, there were cribs for between 50 and 60 babies aged six months to two years, with nurses’ quarters in the penthouse. The current tenant of the facility is the West End Day School, a specialized elementary school dedicated for children with mild to moderate learning, language, and/or emotional disabilities.
References: “Godfathers’ Give 60 Babies a Home,” New York Times, September 19, 1950, 33; “Godmothers League Reports Aid to 15,000,” New York Times, March 26, 1947, 29; “New Nursery for the Godmothers’ League,” New York Times, December 2, 1945, R1.
South Facade: Designed (historic, replaced brick)
Door(s): Replaced primary door
Windows: Mixed
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Concrete and metal
West Facade: Designed (historic)
Facade Notes: Red brick (non-original) balconies from south (primary) facade continuous for a portion of second and third stories and entirety of fourth story at this elevation; remaining areas of facade is yellow brick with no ornamentation (original).
Alterations: See “Facade Notes”; lights at service entry; conduit
Door(s): Replaced
Windows: Mixed