The townhouse conversion at 229 Lenox Avenue has pretty much finished up in the past few months but we noticed a few more final additions while walking by this past weekend. A slight detail that has been missing probably for several decade can be found in the cast finial at the top of each dormer window and now the pineapple shaped motifs are back in place (top photo). There is also a new doorway that mimics the curve of the arched entrance (center photo) of this building close to the corner of 122nd Street which would have been custom made to fit. The lower picture shows the townhouse when renovations had yet to start a couple of years back and the owners apparently have taken a few extra steps to get things back to what they were a century ago.
Archival photo courtesy NYPL
and the curved glass windows have been placed into the building across the street. Such a beautiful stretch of Lenox.
ReplyDeleteReally nice finials and the door looks terrific, good job.
ReplyDeleteThe glass window panes are rather large and just look like they are from another century, which they are of course. I would add faux saddle and stanchion bars to create the effect of smaller panes. It would make a huge difference and not cost much to implement.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't like the door.
ReplyDeleteoh no, Westsider, those faux mullions look, well, faux. And I’m not so sure those windows weren’t always large-paned.
ReplyDeleteWestsider - Sanou's Mum is right... The fashion in the 1880s and 1890s (when these buildings were built) was large panes of glass. So the new windows are how they should be. The building is landmarked and to get past LPC review you'd have to show that what you're doing to the building is the same or compatible with what was there originally.
ReplyDeleteAdded an archival photo from 1932. The door appears to be a reproduction of the original and the windows were indeed casement style. There is a balustrade that is also missing at the cornice level.
ReplyDeleteHarlem Bespoke featured an old photo of 229 Lenox (thanks Ulysses) showing the original casement windows that where twelve over nine and smaller. The landmark approval for 229 Lenox does however does specify one over one windows, interesting that landmarks did not require the original smaller paned windows. In my opinion and looking at the old photos of 229 Lenox, the small paned windows look correct on this façade, the large sheets of glass look wrong, again, just my opinion. I’m pleased however that they finally opted for the darker window frames as opposed to the white installed at one point.
ReplyDeleteWestsider—when you’re right. . . you’re right!
ReplyDeleteStill and all a handsome building, glad to see it back; it was depressing to see it in such poor condition.
SM, thanks and agreed, glad to see this beauty restored and gracing lower Lenox. I would love to see the interior, I’m hoping it is on the MMP house tour this year.
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