309 West 78th Street

309 West 78th Street

NB Number: NB 1321-1893

Block: 1186

Lot: 70

Type:  Rowhouse

Architect:  Pelham, George F.

Developer/Owner/Builder: J. and D. Dunn

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: West End – Collegiate Historic District

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Renaissance Revival

Primary Facade:   Limestone, Roman Brick, and Terra Cotta

Stories: 5

Elements: Five-story rowhouse; limestone first and second floors, Roman brick with terra-cotta trim above; four-story square bay at
right; original windows had wood, one-over-one sash; low stoop; entry recessed under balustraded balcony supported on heavy foliate
bracket; terra-cotta window enframements at third floor, splayed lintels with cartouches at fourth floor, and decorative panels for window lintels at fifth floor; rusticated limestone quoins at first two floors of bay, rope-twist terra-cotta corner moldings at upper two floors; cornice above bay; main cornice with dentils and scrolled modillions.

Historic District: West End - Collegiate HD

Alterations: Original entry doors replaced with double-leaf aluminum and glass door; casement windows installed at first, second, and right side of third stories; one-over-one aluminum windows installed elsewhere; second floor window openings blocked in at bottom, with air conditioner installed through the wall below window openings in bay and metal vents installed above both windows.

History: Built as one of a row of four houses (Nos. 309-315). Henry T. Champney, founder and president of Borinine Co., occupied the house from 1903 to 1913.

References: New York City, Department of Buildings, Manhattan, Plans, Permits and Dockets.
New York Times, Nov. 19, 1913, p. 9, “Henry T. Champney” (Obituary).