471 West End Avenue

471 West End Avenue

Date: 1885-1886; 1912-1913 

NB Number: NB 1738-1885; ALT 952-1912

Type:  Rowhouse

Architect:  McKim, Mead & White

Developer/Owner/Builder: George W Rogers; Henry Hellerman

NYC Landmarks Designation:  Historic District

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

National Register Designation: N/A

Primary Style:  Renaissance Revival

Primary Facade:   Brick and Stucco

Stories: 4 and basement

Window Type/Material: See Structure

Stoop Type: Unknown

Roof Type/Material: Pitched/Slate

Structure:  Significant Architectural Features: Decorative brick work; round arched windows at third story with shell tympana; corbelled brick and terra-cotta cornice

Building Notes: Originally three stories and a basement, a fourth story was added in 1912. The major alterations noted above were made at that time. The fire escape and roof railing were probably added in the 1930s when the building was converted into a multiple-family dwelling. The house appears as it did at the time of the 1939-40 tax photograph.

Site Features: Possibly historic brick and concrete wall with brick posts and non-historic metal work; built-in planters; metal hatch; concrete paving; concrete steps with non-historic pipe railing; wood storage bin for trash receptacles

Notable History and Residents: No. 471 West End Avenue is the only surviving member of a group of six row houses on the southwest corner of West 83rd Street and West End Avenue designed by McKim, Mead & White for George W. Rogers. Historian John Clark Ridpath resided in the house at the turn of the century and it continued to be occupied as a single family home at least through 1920. It was briefly used as a private sanatorium by Dr. Harold A. Foster who purchased the building in 1929; however, within two years the building was converted into a Class A tenement by the architects John S. Van Wart and Sidney Wein. Under the ownership of the Esjol Realty Corp., a physician’s office with private entrance was added in 1937.

East Facade: Designed (historic, altered) Stoop: Removed Door(s): Possibly historic primary door; possibly historic office door Windows: Possibly historic (upper stories); possibly historic (basement) Security Grilles: Possibly historic (basement); Roof: Pitched – slate (historic) Notable Roof Features: Wall dormer Cornice: Original Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete Curb Material(s): Stone Areaway Wall/Fence Materials: Possibly historic brick and concrete with non-historic metal work Areaway Paving Material: Concrete

North Facade: Not designed (historic) (partially visible) Facade Notes: Brick; windows; narrow court with metal fence between buildings

Historic District: Riverside Drive-West End HD Extension I

Alterations: Stoop removed; entrance relocated; basement and first story stuccoed; windows reconfigured (except as noted); mansard roof; pedimented wall dormer; fire escape; railing on roof; intercom; lights; postal release box

References: “Connolly Set Free in Court,” NYT, March 7, 1899, 9; “Flat Sold by Bank Will Be Altered,” NYT, December 11, 1936, 52; “Historian Ridpath Ill,” NYT, March 18, 1900, 5; NYC, Department of Buildings, ALT 952-1912, ALT 554-1931, ALT 402-1937.