255 West End Avenue

255 West End Avenue

Date: 1916-17

NB Number: NB 182-1916

Type:  Apartment Building

Architect:  Schwartz & Gross

Developer/Owner/Builder: 255 West End Avenue Corporation

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, Red Brick, and Terra Cotta

Stories: 14 and penthouse

Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension

Decorative Metal Work: Metal railing above main entry portico entablature

Significant Architectural Features: Tripartite vertical configuration; red brick, laid in Flemish bond with header- and soldier-course bands, diaperwork at capital and areas of stacked bond; terra-cotta details including terra-cotta banding, sills, roundels, framed elements, and inset panels; masonry or terra-cotta main entry portico consisting of a molded surround supporting a molded entablature; main entry portico surrounded by additional double-height portico encompassing central bays and flanking window openings, consisting of double-height pilasters supporting a molded entablature; modillioned cornice above 12th story; double-height segmental-arched terra-cotta window surrounds at capital with brick roundels and terra-cotta tympani at outer bays and stacked brickwork at central bays; brick diaperwork at capital; stepped parapet; granite water table

Alterations: Painted terra-cotta details at first through fourth stories; alterations to parapet (see c. 1939 tax photograph); replaced sashes (historic configuration not visible in c. 1939 tax photograph); awning projects onto sidewalk at main entry

Building Notes: Three single-family row houses were demolished for construction of this apartment building.

Site Features: Low masonry steps at service entries; in-ground metal hatch towards western end of facade

East Facade: Designed (historic, repointed)
Door(s): Replaced primary door; replaced southernmost service door; remaining two service doors are possibly historic
Windows: Replaced
Cornice: Historic
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Masonry

North Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Red-brick at easternmost portion of facade with terra-cotta details from primary (east) facade continuing as flush terra-cotta and yellow brick bands; yellow brick at other portions of facade; water tower and penthouse visible above roofline.
Alterations: Repointed at easternmost portion of facade; some areas of patched and stuccoed brick.

South Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Similar to north facade