309 West 86th Street, AKA 309-311 West 86th Street

309 West 86th Street, AKA 309-311 West 86th Street

Date: 1913-1914

NB Number: NB 389-1913

Type:  Apartment Hotel

Architect:  Schwartz & Gross

Developer/Owner/Builder: Waitt Investing Co

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report:Riverside Drive – West End Historic District Extension I

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Renaissance Revival

Primary Facade:   Roman Brick, Stone, and Terra Cotta

Stories: 12 and penthouse

Window Type/Material: See Structure

Structure:  Significant Architectural Features: Three story stone base, rusticated at first story; brick upper facade set in monk bond; decorative entrance surround, on pink granite plinth, with pedimented cornice; arched service entrance and window with keystones; double windows at fourth through ninth stories with stone lintels; double and grouped windows at 11th and 12th stories with arched surrounds featuring decorative spandrels and coquillage; cartouches; shallow, dentiled cornice

Building Notes: Cornerstone inscribed “Schwartz & Gross, Architects, 1914”; brick chimney on roof; penthouse not readily visible from the street

Site Features: Siamese hydrant; metal pipe; grate; gooseneck pipe

Notable History and Residents: Built as an apartment hotel, 309 West 86th Street was the first large scale building constructed on this block of West 86th Street replacing two mansions. It was known as the Hotel Wayne from the 1920s until 1953 when it was converted into the Waldorf Nursing Home. In 1962 it became the Riverview, a residence club for senior citizens. Following interior alterations in 1979 the building was reconverted into Class A apartments, and became a co-op known as Stetson House.

South Facade: Designed (historic, patched, altered) Door(s): Possibly historic primary door; non-historic door at service entrance Windows: Replaced Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories) Cornice: Historic Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Concrete with metal nosing North Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: Brick, parged and repointed; top story set back; windows replaced; non-historic railings; water tank; pipe

Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I

Alterations: Base painted; brick replaced; service entrance possibly reconfigured; transom at first story altered to accommodate air conditioner; balconies at fifth, ninth, and 11th floors removed; parapet removed; bird deterrent wires at second and third stories; marquee; light fixtures; remote utility meter; spigot

References: “New Apartment Hotel,” NYT, June 22, 1913, XXI; Display Ad, NYT, May 2, 1926, RE21, Classified Ad, NYT, May 11, 1954, 49; Classified Ad, NYT, October 28, 1962, 339; Classified Ad, NYT, February 19, 1981, C24; NYC, Department of Buildings, ALT 945-1953, ALT 758-1979, Certificate of Occupancy 41572 September 3, 1953.