420 West End Avenue, aka 420-422B West End Avenue, 255-259 West 80th Street

420 West End Avenue

Date: 1915-1916

NB Number: NB 255-1915

Type:  Apartment Building

Architect:  Schwartz & Gross

Developer/Owner/Builder:  J C Mayer & M C Mayer, Inc

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, Limestone, and Terra Cotta

Stories: 13

Structure: Cornerstone with “Schwartz & Gross, Architects, 1916”; two story terra cotta entrance surround with balcony and segmental pediment; terra cotta sills; brick spandrels with diamond shaped decoration at second and third stories; decorative course at fourth story incorporating terra cotta balconies and balustrades; decorative spandrel panels at fifth, seventh, and ninth stories; decorative plaques at 11th story; terra cotta cornice at 12th story; terra cotta surrounds and decorative spandrels and tympana at 12th and 13th stories; corbel table with cartouches; parapet with decorative plaque and scrolls

Building Notes: Certificates of Occupancy refer to it as 12 stories.

Site Features: Metal grilles and utility access hatch in sidewalk on West 80th Street; pipe

Notable History and Residents: The cartoonist Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) made his home in 420 West End Avenue in 1920.

West Facade: Designed (historic, painted, repointed, some brick replaced) Door(s): Replaced primary door; possibly historic door and transom Windows: Replaced (upper stories); replaced (basement) Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories); possibly historic (basement) Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Stone; concrete with metal nosing at corner

South Facade: Designed (historic) Facade Notes: Entrance with possibly historic cheek walls; door replaced; possibly historic threelight transom; windows replaced; brick repointed; water table and cheek walls painted; hanging signs; non-historic lights; parged above 13th story; remote utility meters

East Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: L-shaped plan; brick, repointed and painted; cornice and stringcourses at return; design of primary facades executed in brick at upper stories; stone sills; roof deck; segmental-arched fenestration; fire escape; bulkhead; dish antenna; cell phone antennas

Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I

Alterations: Some brick repointed or replaced; air-raid sign; water table and entrance painted; marquee removed; bird deterrent wire in entrance pediment; basement window with vent; siamese hydrant

References: Alden Whitman, “Rube Goldberg, Cartoonist, Dies at 87,” NYT, 12/8/1970, 1; U. S. Census records, 1920.