272 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 with alterations
Primary Facade: Brick and Brownstone
Stories: 4 and 4-1/2 and basement
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension
Decorative Metal Work: Balconette railings at recessed portion of fourth story, continuous with 270 West 73rd Street; balconette railings at tower-like bay at uppermost story; possibly historic (but not original) balconette railing at original main entry at first story (a railing is present in c. 1939 tax photograph); decorative screen doors and transom at original main entry.
Significant Architectural Features: Asymmetrical facade with projecting western tower-like bay featuring an additional half story capped by pyramidal roof; rusticated brownstone at basement and first story, primarily brick above with brownstone details including asymmetrical Gibbs surrounds at window openings; metal arcaded cornice with foliate brackets at recessed bay at fourth story (continuous with 270 West 73rd Street) and above fourth story at projecting bay; designed to read as one large continuous structure with 270 West 73rd Street.
Alterations: Stoop removed, original main entry converted to French doors, and new main entry installed at basement (prior to c. 1939 tax photograph); replaced sashes (one-over-one doublehung 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 new main entry; numbers “272” at basement level; non-historic mesh at decorative screen doors at original 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-and-masonry stairs with non-historic metal handrail descend into areaway; in-ground metal hatch door in sidewalk.
North Facade: Designed (historic, repointed, painted at first story and basement)
Stoop: Removed
Door(s): Not historic primary door; possibly historic French doors and transom at original main entry
Windows: Replaced (upper stories); replaced (basement)
Security Grilles: Possibly historic (upper stories)
Roof: Replaced (pitched – historically featured barrel tiles (replaced))
Notable Roof Features: Gabled roof at eastern bay; pyramidal roof at western bay
Cornice: Original
Areaway Paving Material(s): Concrete
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Granite
East Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Originally similar to western bay of primary (north) facade
Alterations: Parged and painted
West Facade: Partially designed (historic)
Facade Notes: Red brick
Alterations: Mostly parged and painted