599 West End Avenue, AKA 300 West 89th Street

599 West End Avenue, AKA 300 West 89th Street

NB Number: NB 109-1924

Type:  Apartment Building

Architect:  Blum, George and Edward

Developer/Owner/Builder: 599 West End Avenue Corporation

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Riverside Drive- West End Historic District

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Neo-Renaissance

Primary Facade:   brown brick, Limestone, and Terra Cotta

Stories: 12

Window Type/Material: Six-over-one/Wood

Structure:  This twelve story apartment building is located at the southwest corner of West End Avenue and West 89th Street, extending twenty-three feet along the avenue and seventy-one feet along the side street. The building is faced in scored brown brick laid in common bond with limestone and terra cotta trim. Twelve of the original six-over-one wood-framed windows remain on the West 89th Street facade.

West End Avenue Facade: This facade is articulated by three main horizontal divisions – a base, a midsection, and a top – and has only two bays of single windows. The two story brick faced base rests on a low stone water table. It is separated from the eight story midsection by a stone bandcourse. The third story windows are topped by arched terra cotta heads with rondels. The two story top section surmounts a stringcourse and is capped by a decorative terra cotta frieze and a shallow terra cotta cornice. Double height brick pilasters with terra cotta bases and capitals flank the windows of these upper stories. Brick quoins highlight the building’s corners.

West 89th Street Facade: The overall design and articulation of detail of the West End Avenue facade are continued on this facade, expanded to nine bays. End bays and the three center bays have single windows. The center bays are flanked by paired bays, in turn flanked by smaller single windows. Arched heads with rondels top the center bays of the ninth story which also have metal balconies. The entrance is located at the third bay from the east. A stone enframement of fluted Doric pilasters supporting an entablature with decorative carvings (rosettes, egg and dart moldings, fish, and serpents) surrounds the entrance.

Western Elevation: Part of the western elevation is visible from West 89th Street. It is faced in brick to match the primary facades and has two bays of windows and a fire escape. It has no significant detailing.

Historic District: Riverside Drive- West End HD

Alterations:  Most of the original windows have been replaced with.oneaver-one aluminum sash. The water table, door surround, and bandcourse are painted beige. Light fixtures flanking the entrance and the wood and glass double doors with a transom are replacements.

History: This apartment building was erected in 1924 for the 599 West End Avenue Corporation (David Greenberg, president), according to the designs of George & Edward Blum. The site was previously occupied by a rowhouse with four stories and a basement. Selected Reference: New York City Department of Taxes Photograph Collection, Municipal Archives and Record Collection, H 2370.