1 Riverside Drive: The Prentiss Residence

1 Riverside Drive 

Date: 1899-1901

NB Number: NB 907-1899

Type:  Rowhouse

Architect:  Gilbert, C.P.H.

Developer/Owner/Builder: Lydia S. F. Prentiss

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Addendum to the West End-Collegiate Historic District Extension Designation Report

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Beaux-Arts

Primary Facade:   Limestone

Stories: 5 and American basement

Special Windows: Curved one-over-one double-hung sashes at second, third, and fifth stories of bay window

Decorative Metal Work: Copper anthemia cresting at cornice; copper trim at Mansard roof, including scrolls at ridge; copper facing at gabled dormers at primary (west) and south facades; copper facing and scroll brackets supporting molded cornice at fifth-story turret; simple balconette railing above main entry

Significant Architectural Features: Rusticated limestone at basement and first story, smooth limestone above; curved bays at projecting main portion of facade; simple molded surrounds and sills except for more ornamented surrounds above the main entry portico and at central opening at the second story of the curved bay; balustraded balconette on scroll brackets at curved bay; Ionic pilasters at fourth-story window openings at curved bay; heavy copper cornice with dentils and anthemia cresting above fourth story; gabled dormer and slightly recessed turret at fifth story, set into Mansard roof; Classically-inspired main entry portico featuring Ionic columns supporting a molded entablature including stylized brackets and a simple cornice and capped by a second-story balcony; main entry flanked by paneled Ionic pilasters

Alterations: Columns at main entry portico painted as faux marble; main entry door, door surround, and flanking columns painted; painted base trim; decorative metal work painted; half of northernmost window at basement filled in with vent; remaining basement windows blackened; “ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER” lettering at main entry portico; Arabic lettering at main entry transom; light fixture at main entry; speaker box at main entry; non-original brick and masonry at southern stoop

Building Notes: Designated a New York City Individual Landmark on January 8, 1991 (LP1716). Located on a prominent lot, it is one of four grand town houses remaining at this corner (the others are also designated New York City Individual Landmarks and are also within the boundaries of the West End-Collegiate Historic District Extension). All four of the homes were built in accordance with restrictive covenants meant to ensure high-quality residential development and are impressive examples of the high-quality single-family homes designed for the area. The homes are all harmonious in design, with three of them designed by renowned architect C.P.H. Gilbert. The building was purchased in 1957 by the New York Mosque Foundation, Inc. and presently accommodates a mosque on the interior. (For more information, see LPC designation report for The Prentiss Residence).

Site Features: Three-step stoop at set-back southern bay; non-historic polished marble coping at stoop sidewalls and along areaway walls; non-historic decorative cinder blocks stacked along  northern sidewall at stoop

Notable History and Residents: Little is known of Lydia Smith Ffloyd Prentiss (1847-1932), who owned the residence at the time of its construction. She was a descendant, on her father’s side, of David Gelston Ffloyd, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. Her husband, Frederick Charles Prentiss, died in 1911, after which time she remained in the residence.

West Facade: Designed (historic)
Stoop: Altered and painted
Door(s): Historic (but not original) primary door; historic double-doors and transoms at opening
above the main entry and at the central opening at the second story of the bay
Windows: Mixed (upper stories); historic (basement)
Security Grilles: Original (upper stories); historic (basement)
Roof: Original (pitched – slate)
Notable Roof Features: Mansard roof
Cornice: Original
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Limestone (painted) with non-historic polished granite coping
Areaway Paving Material(s): Tile
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Masonry

South Facade: Designed (historic)
Significant Architectural Features: Similar to primary (west) facade, including rustication at basement and first story, curved bay, and simple surrounds and sills at window openings; four gabled dormers at roofline with westernmost dormer following design of primary (west) facade; smaller windows at eastern bay.
Alterations: Painted at entry towards eastern end of facade; basement windows blackened
Building Notes: Historic one-over-one double-hung wood sashes above first story
Site Features: In-ground metal hatch doors along south facade
Windows: Mixed (upper stories); altered (basement)
Security Grilles: Historic (upper stories); historic (basement)
Areaway Wall/Fence Material(s): Limestone (painted) with non-historic polished granite coping
Areaway Paving Material(s): Tile