345 West 86th Street, AKA 343-347 West 86th Street

345 West 86th Street, AKA 343-347 West 86th Street

Date: 1922-1924

NB Number: NB 657-1922

Type:  Apartment Building

Architect:  Gronenberg & Leuchtag

Developer/Owner/Builder: Bicken Construction and Improvement Corp

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:   Brick, Stone, and Terra Cotta

Stories: placeholder15 and penthouse

Structure:  Significant Architectural Features: American bond; entrance with bracketed cornice, and decorative lintel; decorative brick work and terra cotta plaques, spandrels, and lintels at second and third stories; decorative brick work and terra cotta balconies and spandrels at 13th and 14th stories; bracketed cornice at 14th story; windows with terra cotta enframements at 15th story; parapet with balustraded openings and brick panels; shallow terra cotta cornice; Decorative Metal Work: Balcony railings; possibly historic railings at 14th story windows

Penthouse not readily visible from street; possibly historic brass plaques with “Dexter House Hotel”

Site Features: Semi-circular metal grille; pipe; diamond plate hatch; diamond plate basement steps

Notable History and Residents: Originally built as an apartment house, the building was converted to a single room occupancy hotel in 1938. The name Dexter House Hotel appears in New York City directories by 1950

South Facade: Designed (historic, painted) Door(s): Replaced primary door; metal gate at basement Windows: Replaced Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories) Cornice: Historic Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Concrete with metal nosing Areaway Wall/Fence Materials: Non-historic metal railing at basement

West Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: Red brick; terra-cotta stringcourse; decorative brick work above stringcourse; light well: tan brick; windows possibly historic; chimneys with metal pipes; bulkheads, one parged; dish antennas

North Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: Yellow brick, some replaced; windows replaced; bulkhead; water tank on metal supports with ladders; metal stairs

Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I

Alterations: First story painted; non-historic metal gate at basement entrance; one window railing altered for air conditioner at 14th story; lights; signage; marquee; siamese hydrant; perforated vent; remote utility meter; metal fence between buildings at roof

References: NYC, Department of Buildings, ALT 723-1938, NB 657-1922, Certificate of Occupancy 30085 December 9, 1943; New York Address-Telephone Directory 1950