243 West 70th Street
243 West 70th Street
Date: 1925-26
NB Number: NB 622-1925
Type: Apartment Building
Architect: Bagge, George A. and Sons
Developer/Owner/Builder: 243 W 70th St. Inc. (Peter J. Brennan, president)
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: Renaissance Revival
Primary Facade: Brick, Granite, Masonry, Terra Cotta, and Textured Beige Brick
Stories: 9
Significant Architectural Features: Tripartite vertical configuration; brick with terra-cotta details including molded bands and panels with garland and wreath details; brick soldier-course banding at base; masonry or terra-cotta balustrades and decorative brick panels at parapet; double-height main entry portico featuring rusticated masonry, engaged pilasters, decorative panel, and broken pediment above the main entry; granite base trim.
Alterations: Basement opening filled in with plywood towards western end of facade; replaced sashes (six-over-six double-hung sashes present in c. 1939 tax photograph); awning at main entry, extends over sidewalk; light fixtures flanking main entry; handrail at main entry; intercom at main entry; security gate and transom at service entry; security cameras at service entry and at western end of facade at first story.
Building Notes: At the time of completion, advertisements in the New York Times touted the buildings location for being “adjacent to West End Avenue”, its three- and four-room suites for being “of unusual size,” and for offering an “abundance of closet space,” “all the newest and modern appointments,” and “southern exposure, assuring the maximum of sunlight and air.” The present wood, glass, and metal, double-leaf main entry doors are possibly historic.
References: Display Advertisement 72, New York Times, (July 4, 1926) RE12.
Site Features: Recessed, three-step granite stoop at main entry; non-historic handrails at stoop
South Facade: Designed (historic)
Stoop: Original
Door(s): Possibly historic primary door
Windows: Replaced
Security Grilles: Not historic (first story)
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Concrete and metal
East Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Some beige brick and masonry/terra-cotta details from primary (south) facade return on this facade as flush bands; remainder of facade is red brick (partially visible above roofline of neighboring building).
West Facade: Partially designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Same as east facade
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension