244 West 72nd Street
244 West 72nd Street
NB Number: NB 322-1927
Type: Apartment Building
Architect: Blum, George and Edward
Developer/Owner/Builder: 244 West 72nd Street Corporation (Harry Silverman, president)
Row Configuration: placeholder
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: Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival
Primary Facade: Brick, Masonry, Red Brick, and Terra Cotta
Stories: 15 and penthouse
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension
Special Windows: Irregularly-shaped transom light
Decorative Metal Work: Metal-and-glass doors with decorative screen; metal vertical elements at transom at main entry; small roundels at first story (likely where suspended canopy attached).
Significant Architectural Features: Three-story masonry base capped by stylized egg-and-dart molding; terra-cotta/masonry Gibbs surrounds at central bays at fourth-story window openings, capped by oversized, stylized masonry lintels; double-height, molded terra-cotta window surrounds at alternating bays at 14th and 15th stories, with stylized balconettes at 14th story; stepped roofline with molded terra-cotta coping and stylized decorative elements; irregularly-arched main entry portico with stylized molding and foliate keystone, supported on fluted pilasters.
Alterations: Replaced sashes throughout (six-over-one double-hung sashes present in c. 1939 tax photograph); painted at first through third stories; masonry/terra-cotta details painted; screen windows; awnings at commercial storefronts; lights at commercial storefronts; lights at main entry; metal rail at parapet.
Building Notes: This apartment house was designed to accommodate 87 families. Possibly historic double-leaf wood-and-glass doors with multi-paned lights and decorative screen at main entry.
References: New York City Department of Buildings, New Building Application Dockets.
Site Features: One low masonry step at main entry with inlaid building address “244”; in-ground metal hatch in sidewalk towards eastern end of facade; entry vestibule visible from street with black and white tiling.
North Facade: Designed (historic)
Door(s): Possibly original primary door; non-historic service door towards eastern end of facade
Windows: Replaced
Storefront(s): Replaced
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Masonry
East Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Building projects forward slightly from neighboring buildings and is visible above rooflines of neighboring buildings; masonry at first through third stories with red brick above towards northern end of facade; yellow brick at other visible areas of facade.
West Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Same as east facade
Alterations: Some areas repointed (where visible)