410 West End Avenue, AKA 408-410 West End Avenue

410 West End Avenue

Date: 1898-1899

NB Number: NB 291-1898

Type:  Flats

Architect:  Andersen, Henry

Developer/Owner/Builder: John Westervelt

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Riverside Drive – West End Historic District Extension I

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Beaux-Arts

Primary Facade:   bluestone, Buff Roman Brick, Limestone, and Terra Cotta

Stories: 7

Window Type/Material: See Structure

Structure:  Significant Architectural Features: Two story basket arch with quoins and cartouche; windows above entrance separated by round arched panel with rosette; bas-relief spandrels and cartouches at first and second stories; bracketed balcony at third story; windows at third story with keyed surrounds and scrolled keystones; windows at fourth through sixth stories with terra cotta surrounds; bracketed sill course at fourth story; broken pediments at fifth story; bracketed balcony with metal railings at seventh story; windows at seventh story with elaborate consoles; projecting cornice; Special Windows: Round arched window openings above entrance; Decorative Metal Work: Balcony railings; window guards at fourth and fifth stories

Site Features: Metal grille in sidewalk

Notable History and Residents: Originally built to house 14 families and their servants, by the 1920s some of the apartments were being shared with boarders. No. 410 was converted into an single room occupancy residence in the 1950s and reconverted into an apartment building with six units per floor in 1964-65. David Warfield (1866-1951), a famous character actor, and protégé of David Belasco, lived in the building with his family in 1900 around the time that he was making the transition from vaudeville to the legitimate theater. The architect Samuel R. T. Very resided in the building with his parents in 1910 before entering into practice.

Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I

Alterations: Porch removed; entrance altered; stonework painted; some windows reconfigured; sills raised for air conditioners; lights with conduits; remote utility meter

West Facade: Designed (historic, painted) Porch(es): Removed Door(s): Replaced primary door Windows: Replaced (upper stories); replaced (basement) Security Grilles: Possibly historic (basement); Cornice: Original Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Stone

East Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible)

Facade Notes: Facade parged; windows replaced

References: “David Warfield, 84, Famous Actor, Dies, NYT, June 28, 1951, 22; NYC, Department of Buildings, ALT 1623-1951, ALT 1667-1964, Certificates of Occupancy, 40248 September 23, 1952, 62716, January 25, 1966; U. S. Census records, 1900 and 1910.