262 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 and sub-basement
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension
Special Windows: Openings at bayed windows originally featured curved sashes (one-over-one double-hung curved sashes present in c. 1939 and c. 1980s tax photographs).
Decorative Metal Work: Balconette above cornice; finial at conical roof
Significant Architectural Features: Rusticated brownstone at basement and first story; brick above first story; bay windows at first through fourth stories; splayed brick lintels at second through fourth stories; metal arcaded cornice with foliate brackets above third story.
Alterations: Skylights inserted at sloped and conical roofs (date not determined); replaced sashes (one-over-one double-hung sashes present in c. 1939 tax photograph; see also “Special Windows”); non-historic infill in openings beneath basement window openings (metal mesh at eastern opening; non-historic sashes at western opening); drain pipe extending to 260 West 73rd Street above first story (not present in c. 1939 tax photograph); lights above main entry; decorative metal brackets flank central bay at first-story bay window; light, doorbell, and electrical box at under-stoop 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 security grilles at sub-basement window openings, continuous with basement security grilles (altered at westernmost opening).
Site Features: Tinted concrete stairs with non-historic metal handrails descend into areaway
North Facade: Designed (historic, repointed, painted at basement and first story)
Stoop: Resurfaced stoop (gate under stoop – possibly original)
Door(s): Possibly historic primary door
Windows: Replaced (upper stories); replaced (basement)
Security Grilles: Historic (basement)
Roof: Replaced (pitched – barrel-tiles present in c. 1939 tax photograph, at conical and sloped
Notable Roof Features: Conical roof at oriel window; sloped roof to east
Cornice: Original
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Low brownstone wall (resurfaced) with non-historic metal fencing and gate
Areaway Paving Material(s): Concrete
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Granite