NYC Facades

Can you spot the addition?

This bland addition was completed in the last year or so. There is little to recommend it, except to remind us of the style now lost in modern construction. They didn’t even bother to add all the lines of windows the whole way up.

Something about this doorway caught my eye, but all I see now, reviewing it, is how the modernization of the building to the right truncated the spandrel artwork.

Townhouse taking full advantage of its location

I was fully taken aback by this building when I glimpsed it between shots of the Dorilton. What is unusual — aside from the lovely facade in all respects — is that the front of the building has been altered to have this appearance, which is definitely not original.

Some web searching uncovers that this building was converted to apatments in 1984 (look at the COO), and its neighbor built in 1985. This leads me to believe that addition of balconies, etc. coincided with the demolition of its neighbors and the setback of their replacement. However, there is no record of the facade being altered on the DOB site (I suspect that a lot of jobs are not classified that specifically, and “alterations” sometimes include facade work not recorded).

This funny building has the Beaux Art look on the bottom, but an unusual curved roof devoid of ornamentation. In all likelihood, it was modified to remove difficult-to-maintain gables and dormer windows when the roof was repaired in the past. (A few years ago there was work done on the building, including upgrading the lobby to have a more luxury feel, or so it seemed from the street.)

Grand archway

Corner pillar

The entrance archway here caught my eye. Although partially obscured by the fire escape, one can see the interesting proportions in the arch, the tall ledges, pilasters, and the frieze capping it. Note adjacent to the entrance the shoddily removed decorative windows.

At the top corner of the building, I found the superfluous pilaster rather interesting; what caused its addition? Why does it have the shabby offshoot? And why is there a picket fence, of all types, on the roof?

Clearly removed cornice

I like the fan-like lintels as well as the heavy arches on the top windows; the heavy relief (or what appears to be relief in this light) gives a great character. I venture so far as to say the missing cornice enhances the effect.

Multi-story extension

One thing that has caught my attention about buildings is the extensions.This is a good example, and an easy one to spot; they clearly added an extra three stories in a different color without extending the stone lintel pattersn. However, it also seems they added an extra story before that; why else is there a thick white line ringing the building but the remnant of the original cornice?

Extension above the ave

I think the juxtaposition of this stately old building and the offset extension is interesting. This is the “On the Ave” hotel.

From left: The Knickerbocker Trust Company in 1904; in 1952, after its 1921 enlargement; and as it looks today.

From an article in the real estate section of the New York Times, March 5, 2009. Wikipedia also has an article on the building (there is a great period advertisement linked from there as well).

The article gives a history of the bulding, but it is hard to imagine from the building’s appearance today — not a trace of original facade remainds — what was there to begin with. Look inside the article also for a picture of original interior.

Shabby extended shack

Like other iconic buildings, I tried to have a different take on this one, but those pictures didn’t come out. However, this funny modification made my cut; it looks like the ram on a giant triangular ship. The little shack they added would not be so silly, if not for the fact that the pillars visible through the clear glass are so out of place!