310 West 72nd Street
310 West 72nd Street
NB Number: NB 459-1924
Type: Apartment Building
Architect: Lyons, Robert T.
Developer/Owner/Builder: 316 West 72nd Street Corporation (Samuel Behrman, 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: Colonial Revival
Primary Facade: Brick, Limestone, Red Brick, and Terra Cotta
Stories: 15 and penthouse
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension
Decorative Metal Work: Patterned screens at double doors at main entry; balconette railing above main entry portico; possibly historic metal light fixtures flanking main entry.
Significant Architectural Features: Tripartite vertical configuration; limestone and brick basecapped by small molded terra-cotta band; stacked bond brick panels and terra-cotta cartouches between second and third stories; red brick shaft and capital with minimal terra-cotta details, including spiral-molded window surrounds and a continuous molded terra-cotta sill at fourthstory window openings and three large balconettes at sixth story; rope-molding, round-arched pediments, and a continuous molded terra-cotta sill at 14th-story window openings; elaborate window enframement at central bay at second story consists of spiral columns supporting an entablature with scroll pediment; molded, modillioned cornice with cresting and gargoyles above 15th story; brick parapet with terra-cotta coping; limestone main entry portico consisting of enframement with foliate and shield details supporting a molded entablature.
Alterations: Replaced sashes, except where noted (see “Building Notes;” not visible in c. 1939 tax photograph); central section of parapet removed (after c. 1939 tax photograph but prior to c. 1980s tax photograph); several through-wall air conditioners throughout facade; filled-in transom at westernmost service entry; awning at main entry, projects onto sidewalk; security cameras towards eastern and western ends of elevation at first story; awning and small commercial sign at eastern office entry; small commercial sign at western office entry; gate at service entry
Building Notes: Upon completion, this building was marketed as a “handsome 15-story building, overlooking Riverside Drive” boasting “charming foyers, pleasant dining alcoves and other unusual conveniences.” Apartments were available in two, three, four and five rooms with one to two baths, with one “special duplex” of eight rooms with three baths. The original capacity was for 115 families. Possibly historic transoms at service and easternmost office entries. Some possibly historic six-over-six double-hung sashes remain at central bay at second, sixth, seventh, ninth, 10th and 15th stories.
References: Display Advertisement 129, New York Times, May 17, 1925, RE18; Display Advertisement 158, New York Times, January 10, 1926, RE13; New York City Department of Buildings, New Building Application Dockets.
Site Features: Metal stairs descend to service area; masonry sidewalls at service entry towards eastern end of facade; small stoop with low masonry sidewalls at westernmost office entry; inground vents along eastern half of elevation.
North Facade: Designed (historic, repointed, painted at first story)
Door(s): Possibly historic primary door; possibly historic doors and enframements at office entries
Windows: Replaced
Security Grilles: Mixed (upper stories)
Cornice: Original
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Masonry
East Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Red brick at northern section, yellow brick elsewhere (where visible)
Alterations: Repointed; stuccoed at first through fifth stories; large areas patched with stucco towards northern end of elevation above fifth story.