256 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
Special Windows: Historically contained curved sashes at outer bays at oriel (two possibly historic one-over-one double-hung curved sashes remain at outer bays at third story) Significant Architectural Features: Rusticated brownstone at basement and first story; rounded brick oriel window at second through fourth stories capped by conical roof and supported on brownstone base with foliate details; metal arcaded cornice with foliate brackets above third story; grouped with 252 and 254 West 73rd Street to read as one larger house (mirror image of no. 252); also similar to 262 West 73rd Street.
Alterations: Stoop removed, original door opening converted into window opening, and new main entry with metal facing installed at first story (possibly prior to c. 1939, tax photograph is unclear); decorative metal balconette removed from above cornice (present in c. 1939 tax photograph; removed prior to c. 1980s tax photograph; see no. 262, intact); finials removed from conical roof (see no. 262); chipped brownstone at western edge of facade at first story; some replaced sashes (one-over-one double-hung sashes present in c. 1939 and c. 1980s tax photographs, except for multi-paned casement windows with fixed transoms present at secondstory oriel window; see also “Special Windows”); light at new main 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 one-over-one doublehung wood sash at central bay at oriel window at third story. Possibly historic French doors, transom (altered), and molded frame at original main entry.
Site Features: Tinted concrete stairs with non-historic metal handrails descend to main entry
North Facade: Designed (historic, repointed)
Stoop: Removed
Door(s): Replaced primary door
Windows: Mixed (upper stories); possibly historic (basement)
Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories); possibly historic (basement)
Roof: Replaced (pitched – historically featured barrel-tiles at conical and sloped areas of roof (replaced; present in c. 1939 tax photograph))
Notable Roof Features: Conical roof at oriel window; sloped roof to east
Cornice: Original
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Low masonry wall (painted)
Areaway Paving Material(s): Concrete (where visible)
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Granite