323-325 West 85th Street
323-325 West 85th Street
Date: 1890-1891; 1996
NB Number: NB 902-1890
Type: School and Stable
Architect: Jardine, D. and J. and Jason Gold
Developer/Owner/Builder: R F Carman
NYC Landmarks Designation: Historic District
Landmark Designation Report: Riverside Drive – West End Historic District Extension I
National Register Designation: N/A
Primary Style: Colonial Revival
Primary Facade: Brick, Concrete, Glass, and Stone
Stories: 4
Window Type/Material: Eight-over-eight, double-hung/Wood; See Structure
Structure: Significant Architectural Features: First story central entrance with flanking secondary entrances all with transoms; central Palladian style window separated by twisted Ionic pilasters, fanlight and keystone above, flanking windows with flat lintels and simple stone banding that runs the width of the building and acts as a sill for all the windows at this level; third and fourth stories have windows with flat lintels and simple stone sills separated by a fluted stone frieze; a fluted stone frieze is repeated above the fourth story windows; Special Windows: Central Palladian style window at second story with eight-over-eight double-hung window with multi-pane sidelights.
Building Notes: The original structure at 325 West 85th Street was a 2 story garage, it was enlarged to four stories and a rear extension added in 1919. The new addition by Jason Gold was erected on the eastern part of the lot in 1996.
Site Features: Metal access hatch at eastern part of sidewalk.
Other Structures on Site: Early rear additions, and five story modern addition at eastern portion of lot.
South Facade: Designed (historic) Door(s): Replaced primary door Windows: Possibly historic Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories) Storefront(s): Altered Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Stone
East Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: Brick facade, secondary entrance at first story; windows with molded stone sills second through fourth story windows reconfigured for air-conditioners
Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I
Alterations: Windows replaced; entrance changed; one bay five story addition to east, constructed in 1996. Notable History and Residents: The building was originally a stable built by Richard Carman 1890-91 and sold to William Randolph Hearst in 1911. It was sold, as was the adjoining lot (lot 24 now part of lot 23), in 1938 to the Greek Orthodox Church Evangelismos. In 1954 the church sold the property and building to Beth Jacob School Ohav Shalom. The Metropolitan Montessori School (founded in 1964) was originally housed in St. Michael’s Church at 99th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. It leased its present location at 323-325 West 85th Street from 1996 to 2009 when it purchased the property. Initially a parent cooperative, the school adopted the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
References: “Metropolitan Montessori School” (http://www.mmsny.org/about/school/, accessed April 12, 2012); NYC, Department of Buildings, ALT 90-1919, ALT 1330-1919, ALT 1373-1955 ALT 101226692-1996, ALT 101370400-1996, ALT 101801212-1998; Office of the Register, New York County, Liber 145, p. 138 (May 22, 1911), Liber 3989, p. 261 (September 15, 1938), Liber 3396, p. 94 (September 16, 1938); Liber: 4865, p. 692 (January 18, 1954), Liber 5156, p. 463 (July 17, 1961); CRFN 2009000256254 (August 14, 2009).