261 West 71st Street

261 and 263 West 71st Street

NB Number: NB 385-1886

Type:  Apartment Building and Rowhouse

Architect:  Smith, W. Holman (Row houses altered to apartment building)

Developer/Owner/Builder: Van Loon & Capron

Row Configuration: One of originally 13 houses designed as a larger row. Each house looked different from one another employing multiple sandstone hues and painted cornices, assorted rooflines, and varied placement of large open bays. The row was described more than once as a “reign of terror” and was acknowledged for its “energy.” Of the larger row, only 265 and 271 West 71st Street remain intact.

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:  None

Primary Facade:   Masonry and Stucco

Stories: 3 and basement

Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension

Alterations: Two row houses combined into a single apartment house; details removed, facade surfaced and scored to look like masonry and window openings reconfigured (after c. 1939 tax photograph and before c. 1980s tax photograph); stoops removed and new main entry installed at basement level (after c. 1939 tax photograph and before c. 1980s tax photograph); replaced sashes; screen windows at second and third stories; through-wall air conditioners; awning at combined main entry; lights at combined main entry; address numbers to east of combined mainentry; intercom at combined main entry.

References: Christopher Gray, “Row Houses Gone Wild,” New York Times, December 12, 2012, RE8.

Site Features: Concrete stairs with non-historic handrails descend into areaway

South Facade: Altered; resurfaced
Stoop: Removed
Door(s): Replaced primary door
Windows: Replaced (upper stories); replaced (basement)
Security Grilles: Not historic (basement)
Cornice: Removed
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Concrete or masonry (stuccoed) with metal railings
Areaway Paving Material(s): Concrete
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Concrete and metal

East Facade: Not designed (historic)
Alterations: Painted