300 West 72nd Street
300 West 72nd Street
Date: 1941-42
NB Number: NB 137-1941
Type: Apartment Building
Architect: Lilien, H. Herbert
Developer/Owner/Builder: 300 West 72nd Street Construction Co. (Wm. Barkin, president)
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: Moderne
Primary Facade: Brick, buff iron-spot brick, Cast Stone, Granite, iron-spot brick, and white granite
Stories: 6 and basement
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension
Decorative Metal Work: Fire escapes with decorative curved rails (West End Avenue and West 72nd Street facades) (painted).
Significant Architectural Features: Buff iron-spot brick facade with simple Moderne-style detailing including slightly projecting wrap-around brick lintels and sills at corner of West 72nd Street and West End Avenue and continuous lintels and sills at central and westernmost bays; slender white-granite sills at window openings; decorative brickwork at parapet includes soldier and header course bands and slightly projecting header details; cast-stone coping at parapet; decorative cast-stone main-entry surround with geometric detailing.
Alterations: Some replaced brick where structural lintels and sills replaced at window openings, including original curved return details at wrap-around lintels and sills; apparently replaced sashes (appear to be three-over-three double-hung sashes in New York Times rendering from May 24, 1942); some screen windows; basement windows filled in with metal, including vent to east of main entry; awning extends over sidewalk at main entry; conduit at first story; cellular antennas at roofline with metal-plate anchors affixed to parapet.
Building Notes: This modest apartment building is characteristic of the smaller-scale development that occurred along West End Avenue immediately prior to World War II, as developers and architects responded to a general housing shortage and a rising demand for modern yet affordable housing. Lilien’s use of light-colored brick, minimal geometric details in stone and brick, and curvilinear fire escapes (historically an eye-catching bronze color, according to the New York Times) make this building a good example of the Moderne style. The building contained apartments of two and four suites at the time of its opening and has possibly historic or original light fixture at main entry.
References: Landmarks Preservation Commission, Research Files; “New House on West End Avenue Corner,” New York Times, May 24, 1942, RE5.
Site Features: Two-step stoop at main entry with possibly historic brass handrails; stepped buff brick wall with cast stone coping and tall metal fencing, gate, and barbed wire, at entrance to western service alley.
North Facade: Designed (historic)
Stoop: Original
Door(s): Possibly original primary door
Windows: Replaced (upper stories); altered (basement)
Security Grilles: Historic (basement)
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Masonry
East Facade: Designed (historic)
Facade Notes: Similar to primary (north) facade (including alterations)
West Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Red brick; some buff brick from primary (north) facade wraps slightly onto this facade.
Alterations: Painted at first story
NOTES:
Images Courtesy Celeste Godoy