375 Riverside Drive

375 Riverside Drive

Date: 1921-22

NB Number: 454-1921

Type:  Apartment Building

Architect:  Ajello, Gaetan

Developer/Owner/Builder: 375 Riverside Drive Corporation

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Morningside Heights Historic District

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Renaissance Revival

Primary Facade:   Brick

Stories: 14

Historic District: Morningside Heights HD

Material(s): Tan brick; limestone; granite; terra cotta

Status: Contributing

History, Significance and Notable Characteristics : 375 Riverside Drive was designed by Gaetan Ajello in 1921 and built for Michael A. Paterno president of the 375 Riverside Drive Corporation as Morningside Heights continued to develop into a neighborhood of middle-class apartment houses. In this restrained interpretation of the Renaissance Revival style, the building’s tripartite, variegated brick facade features a stone water table, quoins, two-story entrance surround with transom bar, swags, pendants and cartouche, terra-cotta and brick stringcourses, fenestration with full stone surrounds from the basement to the fourth story, projecting terra-cotta moldings in the spandrels at the seventh and tenth stories, lintel course at the 14th story, and a modillioned cornice, all characteristic of the style. Other features are the wrought-iron-and-glass lanterns and window railing at the entrance and iron grilles in the basement windows. The west facade has a below-grade entrance.

Site : Concrete bordered flower beds (both sides); standpipe; non-historic gates at basement entrance
and metal gates with razor wire at service alley on Riverside Drive

Street Sidewalk / Curb Materials:  Concrete sidewalks and curbs with metal edges

References: Office for Metropolitan History, “Manhattan NB Database 1900-1986,” (May 18, 2016) http://www.MetroHistory.com; New York City, Department of Buildings, Certificate of Occupancy 4937 (issued June 29, 1922).

Alterations: Cathedral Parkway Facade: Brick repointed and patched; door and windows replaced; two basement windows infilled around vent, pipe and Siamese standpipe; brass stoop railings; metal mesh gate at service entrance; camera and conduit
Riverside Drive Facade: Brick repointed and patched; windows and doors at basement replaced; camera and lights with conduits; remote utility meter; signage; vent; grilles at basement altered
South (rear) Facade (partially visible): Brick patched; windows replaced; fire escape
Roof: Water tank with metal structure; bulkhead; non-historic railing; metal chimney