255 West 92nd Street

255 West 92nd Street

Date: 1897

NB Number: NB 87-1897

Type:  Flats Building

Architect/Builder:  Ogden S. B. & Co

Original Owner: Andrew J. Kerwin Jr.

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

Landmark Designation Report: Riverside Drive– West End Historic District Extension II

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  

Primary Facade:   Roman Brick and Stone

Stories: 5

Historic District: Riverside-West End Historic District Extension II

Significant Architectural Features: Stone base topped by heavy, molded band course; stoop with cheek walls; round-arched entrance with carved intrados supported by engaged columns; round-arched windows at first story with molded lintels springing from a carved stringcourse; windows at second and third stories with full surrounds, some with bracketed lintels and/or cartouches, central windows paired, Ionic pilasters at second story supporting a carved entablature, carved spandrel and bracketed pediments at third; windows at fourth story with keyed surrounds, molded sill course and lintels; paired center windows with bracketed lintel; round-arched windows at fifth story with carved sill course and decorative lintels springing from molded stringcourse; bracketed cornice with foliate frieze and denticulation

Alterations: Marquee replaced; intercom; non-historic lights; conduits; railings added to stoop; ngrilles altered for air conditioners; remote utility meter

Building Notes: Built as French flats for 11 families, from the 1940s to the 1970s it was an SRO known as the Ridgefield Hotel, later the Better Ridgefield Hotel. (ALT 1560-1941; Michael Goodwin, “Suit Lost by West Siders to Close Hotel Over Its Use by Prostitutes,”
New York Times, August 12, 1979, 40.) Originally lot 8, it is now condo lots 1001-1017.

Site Features: Non-historic fences, gates, and handrails; concrete steps

South Facade: Designed (historic, painted)
Stoop: Painted stoop (possibly historic gate under stoop)
Door(s): Possibly historic primary door
Windows: Replaced (upper stories); replaced (basement)
Security Grilles: Not historic (upper stories); not historic (basement)
Cornice: Historic
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Stone
Areaway Wall/Fence Materials: Metal
Areaway Paving Material: Concrete

East Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Brick, painted; clay tile coping; chimneys non-historic fence at roof; conduit