257-259 West 93rd Street
NB Number:Â NB 593-1929
Type: Â Club Building
Architect: Â Lion, Henry S.
Developer/Owner/Builder:Â Grand Lodge, Free Sons of Israel
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 Neo-Georgian
Primary Facade: Â Â Limestone and Red Brick
Stories:Â 7
Window Type/Material:Â Six-over-six double-hung/Wood
Roof Type/Material:Â Mansard/Slate
Structure:This seven story building, faced in red brick laid in Flemish bond with limestone trim, is located on the north side of West 93rd Street 150 feet east of West End Avenue and is thirty-eight feet wide. The ground story stone framed entranceway is situated at the east with a blank limestone medallion at its upper right corner. An opening containing paired windows is located to the west of the entrance, with a metal service door at the far west of the building. The whole is underscored by a wide limestone water table. The cornerstone at the lower eastern corner reads “1849-1929 Henry S. Lion Architect.” A limestone cornice caps the second story. The third through the sixth stories each have five bays; third story openings have stone enframements with projecting lintels, fourth story openings have splayed stone lintels with keystones, fifth story openings have stone keystones, and sixth-story openings have arched brick heads. The windows have six-over-six double-hung wood sash. A mansard roof with three dormers and slate tiles creates a seventh story above a modillioned metal cornice. A brick rooftop structure is visible at the east.
Western Elevation: The western elevation is faced in brick painted gray with three one-over-one double-hung aluminum window openings. Eastern Elevation: The eastern elevation is faced in brick painted gray except for the rooftop addition which is red brick laid in common bond.
Historic District: Riverside Drive- West End HD
Alterations: An amendment to the New Building Application allowed for a penthouse addition to accommodate a handball court (1930.) In 1969, the National Academy of Ballet undertook interior alterations to convert the building to studios and to provide an auditorium space combining the first two stories; the facade at these stories was altered to reflect the changes in the interior. In 1980, the building was converted to apartments. The fire escape was relocated at this time. The glass and oak door is a replacement. The wrought iron railings at the front steps are also not original. A recent light fixture has been placed at the door. The new metal service door at the ground story is a replacement. Wrought iron bars have been installed at the ground story windows and over the air conditioner below. Six openings for air conditioner sleeves have been cut into the facade. Storm windows are present on all but the ground story windows and one of the three dormers at the seventh. 1969: Alt 310-1969 [Source: Alteration Application) Conversion from club house to dance studios and an auditorium. Architect — Shreve, lamb & Harmon Assoc. Owner — National Academy of Ballet 1980: Alt 990-1980 [Source: Alteration Application] Conversion from studios and an auditorium to apartments. Architect — Weshsler-Grasso-Menziuso, P.C. Owner — East-West Construction Corporation.
History:Â Designed by Henry S. Lion as a club house for the Grand Lodge of the United States of Independent Order, Free Sons of Israel, this building was erected in 1929-30. In 1969 it was converted to studios for the National Academy of building replaced two five story rowhouses built as part of a row of four houses (Nos. 253-259). Selected Reference: New York City Department of Taxes Photograph Collection, Municipal Archives and Record Collection, G 2032.