West 71st Street Historic District

The West 71st Street Historic District encompasses thirty-three buildings that occupy nearly an entire block between West End Avenue and the railroad tracks, shielded by an embankment to the west. In 2004, this cul-de-sac was modified to provide access to the newly established Riverside Boulevard, constructed to accommodate the development of Trump Place.

These three- or four-story row houses, intended for single family occupancy, were built on speculation from 1893 to 1896. Primarily influenced by the Beaux-Arts movement, the buildings display various interpretations of Renaissance prototypes in their decoration and detail. The regular rhythms of bays, cornices, and oriels lining both sides of the street lend order and symmetry to this block, yet allow each house to retain its own character. The architects include Horgan and Slattery, known for both commercial and residential designs; Neville & Bagge, who were active throughout Manhattan; and George Keister, known for his theater designs.

In addition to these row houses, one individually designed townhouse (No. 305) built between 1903-1904 and a six-story apartment building (No. 319-325), constructed in 1924, round out the district. The historic district is significant for the original Renaissance Revival details that remain on many of the individual buildings, and for its display of the history of Upper West Side residential development. ©2014