270 West 73rd Street

270 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

Decorative Metal Work: Balconette railings at fourth story, continuous with 272 West 73rd Street (partially removed)

Significant Architectural Features: Rusticated brownstone at basement and first story, primarily brick above with brownstone details including asymmetrical Gibbs surrounds at window openings; brownstone oriel window at second story on molded base with foliate details; metal arcaded cornice with foliate brackets above third story (continuous with 272 West 73rd Street); decorative details at fourth story, including small denticulated cornice and paired, denticulated window surrounds consisting of pilasters with Corinthian capitals supporting one large ogee pediment with foliate and cartouche details, coquillage, and foliate pinnacles; designed to read as one large continuous structure with 272 West 73rd Street.

Alterations: Replaced sashes (one-over-one double-hung sashes present in c. 1939 tax photograph); balconette railings partially removed (eastern two-thirds) at fourth story (damaged prior to c. 1939 photograph, but removed after c. 1980s tax photograph); light fixture at 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.

Site Features: Concrete stairs with non-historic metal handrail descend into areaway; nonhistoric metal handrail at eastern sidewall at stoop; urn planters at stoop sidewalls.

North Facade: Designed (historic, painted)
Stoop: Painted stoop (gate under stoop – possibly original)
Door(s): Possibly historic primary door
Windows: Replaced (upper stories); replaced (basement)
Security Grilles: Not historic (basement)
Roof: Replaced (pitched – barrel tiles present in c. 1939 tax photograph (replaced))
Cornice: Original
Notable Roof Features: Gabled roof with barrel tiles at ridge
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Low brownstone wall (painted) with non-historic metal railing and gate
Areaway Paving Material(s): Concrete (painted)
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Granite