500 Cathedral Parkway

500 Cathedral Parkway

Date: 1908

NB Number: 307-1908

Type:  Apartment Building with commercial ground floor

Architect:  Bernstein & Bernstein

Developer/Owner/Builder: Irving Judis Building & Construction Co.

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: 6

Historic District: Morningside Heights HD

Material(s): Brick; stone; terra cotta

Status: Contributing

History, Significance and Notable Characteristics : This Renaissance Revival style mixed-use apartment building at the southwest corner of Cathedral Parkway and Amsterdam Avenue, designed by Bernstein & Bernstein in 1908 for the Irving Judis Building & Construction Co., was one of the many apartment buildings constructed in Morningside Heights as a result of the opening of the IRT subway in 1904. The building’s tripartite facade features a stone and brick base with raised banding, a main entrance with molded surround, decorative courses with rosettes, an array of terra-cotta window decoration including a simple lintel course, lintels with keystones, full molded surrounds, French Renaissance Revival-influenced multi-storied surrounds with carved spandrels and elaborate
lintels at the sixth story. The French influence continues in the piers with ornamental corbels at the paneled brick parapet. On Amsterdam Avenue are a series of storefronts and a light court with splayed lintels with keystones and simple sills. Of additional interest are the historic fire escapes and the mosaic tile floor at the service entrance on Cathedral Parkway

Site : Grille, pipe, and service alley with non-historic gate and metal staircase on Cathedral Parkway;
diamond plate hatches on Amsterdam Avenue; sidewalks and curbs extended at corner

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

References: Office for Metropolitan History, “Manhattan NB Database 1900-1986” (February 3, 2016) http://www.MetroHistory.com.

Alterations: Cathedral Parkway Facade: First story and steps painted; brick repointed; doors replaced; window added at first story; windows replaced, one window partially infilled with vent; lights with conduits; awning; storefront replaced; alarm box; double poles with banner at northwest corner
Amsterdam Avenue Facade: Brick repointed; storefronts replaced; awnings; lights with conduits; air conditioner compressors; two metal chimneys and leader in the light court; windows replaced; remote utility meters; roll-down security gates; double poles with banner
West Facade: Brick parged and repointed; windows replaced; lights with conduits; cables; pipes
South (rear) Facade: Brick parged and repointed