Number 139 West 123rd Street has been going through a gut renovation for the past few years and now the new front facade has been revealed. Those on the block hoping that the removed cornice might return one day are probably now pretty disappointed. This apparent 3-family brownstone conversion by the Mount Morris Park Historic District is currently finishing up without the said cornice and now has a penthouse level along with some modern window extensions that somehow look half thought out.
As usual, we assume a brownstone buyer would want to live in a house that looks more like a brownstone instead of something that remotely resembles the original structure. Would it have more cost effective to just restore the original window lintels, repaint the cornice and add the penthouse? Thoughts?
Read more about the pricing history of this South Harlem building in our past post:
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We looked at 141 about a year ago when it was on the market about 80% finished. We ended up in Hamilton Heights. While I'm not a fan of the way 139 was finished, it's still way better for the nabe than a shell.
ReplyDeleteThe new facade with it's upper large flat surface looks like it was designed to receive a cornice, I hope that is the case. Also, I like the tall windows, a creative use of original detail.
ReplyDeleteI also think the tall windows are a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteMight make an architecturally interesting statement on combining the classical with aplomb but in it's current manifestation is clearly crying for a cornice.
ReplyDeleteI want to see the inside! ;))
ReplyDeleteThere is no comparison! It seems to me the architectural beauty of the neighborhood which most likely was the attraction in the first place, is being destroyed by the need to maximize return on investment in these properties! This design has completely destroyed the beauty of the original roof line and stands out like a sore thumb. The owner next door seems to have restored their cornice and must be pretty annoyed at this owner for disrupting the cohesive appearance of row houses. Can't understand why Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association is so inactive on the preservation front.
ReplyDeleteThe second picture doesn't look nice at all.
ReplyDeleteNo architectural sence in historic block.