312 West 77th Street
[doptg id=””]
312 West 77th Street
Â
Date:Â 1891-92
NB Number:Â NB 955-91 (Alt. 1531-59)
Block: 1185
Lot: 81
Type: Â Rowhouse
Architect: Â Mott, Charles T.
Developer/Owner/Builder:Â Edward Pursell
NYC Landmarks Designation:Â Historic District
Landmark Designation Report: West End – Collegiate Historic District
National Register Designation:Â N/A
Primary Style: Â Francois I and Renaissance Revival
Primary Facade: Â Â Brick, Brownstone, Roman Brick, and rusticated brownstone
Stories:Â 3 with basement
Elements:Â As designed, No. 312 was identical to No. 310 West 77th Street.
310 – Three-story rowhouse with basement and mansard roof; rusticated brownstone basement, smooth brownstone ashlar first floor, Roman brick above; splayed Roman brick lintels and curved brick moldings enframe the windows on the second and third floors; one-over-one double-hung wood sash; second-story oriel window with foliate and fruit basket carved base; dentilled string course moldings define the second and third floors; original cornice was a copper table corbel with panelled parapet; elaborate Francois I style ornamented dormer in copper; mansard roof with imbricated slate shingles, copper cresting and stepped ends at party walls; wrought-iron grilles at basement windows.
Historic District: West End - Collegiate HD
Alterations: Converted to multiple dwelling in 1959. Stoop and door removed and entry relocated to basement; windowless metal door installed at basement; window pane missing at second floor center window; cornice and parapet removed; roof cresting removed and slate shingles replaced with asphalt shingles; facade painted; entry lamps added; metal chain link fence installed at areaway.
History: Originally built as one of a row of thirteen houses (Nos. 308-332; Nos. 314 and 316 were demolished, ca. 1924). Edwin E. Dickerson, president of the Boynton Furnace Co. and private secretary to U.S. Vice-President Wheeler in 1877-81, lived at No. 312 from 1895 to 1919.
William Royal Wilder resided at No. 312 from Nov. 10, 1921, until his death on February 15, 1923. He was a senior partner of the law firm of Wilder, Ewen and Patterson. His wife Mabel remained at this address until 1952.
References: New York City, Department of Building, Manhattan, Plans, Permits and Dockets. New York Times, April 22, 1925, “William Royal Wilder” (obituary), p. 23. Who’s Who, 1918.