Treadwell Farm Historic District

This charming residential neighborhood located on the Upper East Side was originally part of the farms of Peter Van Zandt and William Beekman. The Van Zandt portion was sold at auction in 1815 to Adam Tredwell (or Treadwell), a wealthy furrier whose brother, Seabury Tredwell, owned what is now the Old Merchant's House at 29th East 4th Street.

In 1868, the land owners established a covenant, or protective agreement, that set design standards for future construction and explicitly stated which businesses would not be permitted to establish themselves in the area; some of the types of businesses specifically excluded were breweries, taverns, gambling halls, and manufacturing establishments. This covenant helped to create and preserve the unique character and architectural uniformity of the neighborhood. In the 1920s, the East Sixties Property Owners Association was established, which helped to further protect the area from being encroached on by outside and unwanted development.

The district is composed primarily of three- or four-story brownstone residences that were constructed between 1868 and 1876. A number of well-known architects were involved in the development, including Richard Morris Hunt and James W. Pirrson. The French Second Empire architectural style is prevalent in the district and is prominently exhibited in the row of houses at 206 -210 East 61st Street, which retain their historic stoops and much of their original detailing. Through the efforts of its residents, among whom have been such notables as columnist Walter Lippmann; actors Tallulah Bankhead, Kim Novak,and Montgomery Clift; and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the district has retained its peaceful elegance.©2014