303 West 91st Street
303 West 91st Street
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NB Number:Â NB 55-1896
Type: Â Rowhouse
Architect: Â True, Clarence
Developer/Owner/Builder:Â Smith & Stewart
Row Configuration: ABCBDBC
NYC Landmarks Designation:Â Historic District
Landmark Designation Report:Â Â Riverside Drive- West End Historic District
National Register Designation:Â N/A
Primary Style: Â Renaissance Revival
Primary Facade: Â Â Limestone and Roman Brick
Stories:Â 4 1/2
Window Type/Material:Â One-over-one double-hung/Wood
Basement Type:Â American
Stoop Type:Â Unknown
Roof Type/Material:Â Mansard/Tile
Structure: These seven, four and a half-story houses were designed as a row and are unified by rusticated limestone ground stories, common cornice, roof and sill lines, mansard roofs, originally covered with tile (still present at No. 309), and roof dormers with swan’s neck pediments. Parapets with chimneys mark the divisions between the houses at the roofline. The historic windows are one-over-one double-hung wood sash and most original wrought iron grilles survive covering the first story windows, service doors and cellar windows. Each house, designed with an American basement, is twenty-five feet wide. The facades are arranged in an asymmetrical rhythm of ABCBDBC (from east to west).
The A type house, No. 303, forms an end pavilion for the row, projecting forward from the other houses. Both the ground and fourth stories are faced with smooth rusticated limestone while the second and third stories are beige Roman brick flanked by limestone quoins. The asymmetrically-placed entrance portico has Doric columns and is surmounted by a balustrade. The second story windows flanked by carved pilasters are capped by lunettes. The eastern side wall is red brick laid in common bond with three arched windows and one leaded oval window set in the wall. An ell is visible.
Historic District: Riverside Drive- West End HD
Alterations: The limestone at the ground story has been painted beige. One recent light fixture is placed at the door. Storm windows appear at the second and third story windows. New white aluminum windows have been installed at the fourth story. The ell on the eastern elevation is painted black. The roof is covered with red shingles.
History: This row of seven houses was designed by the prolific Upper West Side architect Clarence True, and built in 1896-1897 by developers Smith & Stewart. Selected Reference: New York City Department of Taxes Photograph Collection, Municipal Archives and Record Collection, C 734.