646 West End Avenue
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646 West End Avenue
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Date:Â 1895
NB Number:Â NB 51-1895
Type: Â Flats
Architect: Â Ferdon, Martin V.B.
Developer/Owner/Builder:Â Powers & Welcher
NYC Landmarks Designation:Â Historic District
Landmark Designation Report:Â Â Riverside Drive- West End Historic District
National Register Designation:Â N/A
Primary Style: Â Renaissance Revival
Primary Facade: Â Â ashlar and Brownstone
Stories:Â 5
Window Type/Material:Â One-over-one double-hung/Wood
Basement Type: Raised
Stoop Type: Box
Structure:Â Â West End Avenue Facade: This five story brownstone fronted building with a raised basement is four bays wide and extends forty-two feet along the east side of West End Avenue between West 91st and 92nd Streets. The building is faced in rusticated brownstone up to the second story with smooth ashlar above. String courses define the stories. A stone box stoop leads to the entrance which is distinguished by an original oak and glass double door set into a carved arched opening within a classically inspired enframement. The two large windows flanking the entrance and the fifth story windows have arched openings. The windows have the original one-over-one double-hung wood sash; those at the parlor story have fanlight transoms. A bracketed and dentiled iron cornice surmounts the facade. An original wrought-iron fence extends from the south corner of the house to the building at No. 640, enclosing an alley. The original pipe-rail fence is extant at the south side in front of the areaway.
Northern Elevation: The exposed northern elevation has been stuccoed in a reddish brown color. It has no windows.
Southern Elevation: The southern elevation, faced in brick, has five one-over-one double-hung wood sash windows with painted white lintels and two four-story wood oriels with carved foliate panels.
Historic District: Riverside Drive- West End HD
Alterations:Â Â The basement story has been painted dark brown, while the first story has been painted a lighter brown. A fire escape extends from the second through the fifth stories. The areaway at the north of the door has been altered and has a recent wood and glass door with an awning above and new wrought-iron fencing. Two light fixtures have been installed at the main entrance.
History:Â Designed by architect M.V.B. Ferdon, this small multiple dwelling (flat) was completed in the course of four months during 1895 for the development firm of Powers & Welcher. Ferdon designed only one row of houses in the district (Nos. 304 to 312 West 91st Street). Selected Reference: New York City Department of Taxes Photograph Collection, Municipal Archives and Record Collection, G 2033.