Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections: The Real Estate Record

Real estate record and builders' guide: [v. 95, no. 2460: Articles]: May 8, 1915

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800 RECORD AND GUIDE May 8, 1915 CURRENT BUILDING OPERATIONS Several Costly Residences Being Erected or Projected On and Near Fifth Avenue, in Lenox Hill Section DKSI'ITh: the fact lliat thc recent linancial depression has affected al¬ most everyone in some degree, and has been felt particularly by many of our wealthy families, the construction of private residences continues on a large scale. Many handsome and costly dwellings are now being erected, and others which are contemplated will be started, no doubt, during this spring and early summer. This applies to the con¬ struction of both city and country houses, and it would seem to indicate the return of confidence in the future on the part of these own¬ ers, when they are willing and able to spend large sums of money for purely social purposes. Fifth avenue and thc side streets west of Park avenue from 60th to 70th street is probably one of the most active sec¬ tions of the city, when the construc¬ tion of new build¬ ings and alterations to old ones is con¬ sidered. This dis¬ trict is dotted with many newly finished houses and those now in various stag¬ es oi completion. Recent real estate deals indicate that other dwellings of importance are con¬ templated and that the present activity will continue for some time to come. The northward march of business has been abruptly stopned by the nat¬ ural barrier present¬ ed in Central Park. The residences north of 60th street are a^-sured of privacy for many years to c o ni e. Apartment houses have in a few instances been erect¬ ed in this exclusive section, but they are so elegant in tone and character and have attracted ten¬ ants of such high reputation that their construction has not jeopardized the ancient prestige of the city's foremost residence street. Considered as a group, the dwellings in the Fifth avenue section would be a credit to any city in the world. They have been planned hy architects wdio are masters of their profession, with wide experience in this class of construction. Into these houses they have put the best of their talents and have created struc¬ tures which will for many years exert an influence for good upon the aesthetic sensibilities of the community at large. Following is given a brief description of some of thc more important projects now adrt-A in this territory. At 9 Last 65th street a five-story American basement residence is soon to be erected for E. W. Humphreys. from plans by C. P. H. Gilbert, archi¬ tect, 1123 Broadway. This house will be built on a lot 25 by 100 feet. The facade is to be limestone and granite and thc house will include every pos¬ sible modern convenience and comfort. Hoppin & Koen, architects, 224 Fifth avenue, have been retained by Harris Fahnestock. banker, 2 Wall street, to prepare plans and specifications for a handsome residence which he is to build at 13 and 15 East 56th street, on prop¬ erty recently purchased by liim. This Wm. Crawford, GTen RESI 1 Contractor. Trowbridge & Livingston. Architects DENCE OF DR. W. B. JAMES, IN EAST TOTH STREET. ■ residence will be Wvq stories in height and will probably cost more than $100,000. The general contract was recently awarded to James McW^alters & Son, Inc.. for the construction of a dwelling for John T. Pratt, lawyer. 43 Exchange Place, from plans which have been pre¬ pared by Charles E. Platt. architect. 11 East 24th street. This house is being erected at 7 and 9 East 61st street. It will be five stories in height, with base¬ ment and attic, built of brick and lime¬ stone, and will be on a plot -50 by 89.9 feet. E. E. Seelye. 101 Park avenue, is consulting engineer for the structural steel work. At 9 East 70th street. WilHam Craw¬ ford, general contractor. 5 East 42d street, is erecting one of the largest pri¬ vate houses in the city. This house is seven storjes in height, with basement and attic, and in height is second only to John D. Rockefeller's house in West 54th street. The owner of this new resi¬ dence is Dr. W. B. James, and the architects who prepared the plans and specifications are Trowbridge & Living¬ ston, 527 Fifth avenue. The building itself occupies a plot 41 by 90 feet. Its facade is of granite and limestone, elab¬ orately carved. Nygren, Tenny & Ohmes, 101 Park avenue, are the consulting en¬ gineers for heating and ventilating. Fol¬ lowing are the names of a number of sub¬ contractors who sup¬ plied labor and ma¬ terial for the con¬ struction of this building: Water¬ proofing, Tuttle Roofing Company; structural steel, Post & McCord; granite, A. Le Poydevin & Company; plumbing, Francis McNamara; heating, Barr & Company; carpenter work. Watt & Sin¬ clair; ornamental iron. Wells Archi¬ tectural Iron Works; roofing and sheet metal, Nicholson & Galloway; elevators and lifts. Otis Ele¬ vator Company; electric wiring, J. Livingston Electric Company; plastering Klee - Thompson Company; cabinet work and trim. Pot¬ tier & Stymus; painting. Charles A. W. Rinschede. Another important operation which is now nearing com¬ pletion is the resi¬ dence at 882 Fifth avenue, for Oliver Gould Jennings, 70 East 72d street. This structure is six stories in height, on plot 30 by 175 feet. The building was designed by W. B. Chambers. 109 Broad street, and Stephen¬ son & Wheeler, 2 West 45th street, associated architects, and has been erected under separate con¬ tracts which were awarded by the architects. Opposite the recently com¬ pleted Frick residence, on the southeast corner of Fifth avenue and 70th street, a four-story marble structure is being completed by Norcross" Brothers, build¬ ers. 103 Park avenue, which is to be the residence of C. Ledyard Blair, the banker. This house was planned by Carrere & Hastings, architects, 225 Fifth avenue, and is 33 bv 158 feet, cost¬ ing between $150,000 and $200,000. One of the largest alterations in this district is that to the residence of E. W. Ellsworth, at 12 East 69th street. W. W. Bosworth. architect. 527 Fifth avenue, prepared the plans for this work, and Hugh Getty, builder, 359 West 26th street, was the general contractor. The project includes an addition and general interior alterations, extensive in char¬ acter, totalling in cost, according to the architect's estimate, ^bopt $75,000.