A Window to the Past | Reviving 214 West 16th Street

Nestled in the heart of New York City, 214 West 16th Street stands as a captivating example of architectural evolution. Built in 1898, this brick building seamlessly blends the Federal Style with touches of Neoclassical, Beaux-Arts, and Baroque elements. The intricate design of its facade, shared with its sister buildings next door, reflects the pride and craftsmanship of a bygone era. From Limestone and Terracotta arches to detailed coursing and carvings, every aspect of this building tells a story of meticulous attention to detail.

In our latest project, we were honored to restore a piece of this history by installing period-perfect, 2 over 2 NorClad Double-Hung windows from Norwood Windows And Doors. These windows, approved by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, were carefully chosen to match the original aesthetic while offering modern performance. The rear of the building now features these historically accurate windows, complete with custom exterior metal brick mould capping and interior casing.

This transformation was not just about replacing windows; it was about reclaiming the building's original charm. We said goodbye to the black aluminum inserts and single-pane windows that had previously marred the structure's beauty, embracing a solution that honors the past while enhancing the building's functionality.

We invite you to explore the before-and-after journey of this restoration, where history and modernity meet in perfect harmony.

Before

After

Preserving Heritage | Restoring Harperley Hall

Nestled on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Harperley Hall stands as an architectural marvel and a testament to New York's rich history. As a team passionate about historic preservation and architectural excellence, Harperley Hall has been a frequent site for us to showcase our talents over the years.

Built in 1911, this handsome, pre-war, 12-story apartment building at 41 Central Park West, on the northwest corner at 64th Street, is more than just a residential building; it is a cooperative that has become infamous as Madonna's residence and dance studio. Harperley Hall is a rare example of Arts and Crafts style architecture in New York, making it a unique and valuable piece of the city's architectural heritage.

The vision for this building was brought to life by architect Henry W. Wilkerson, who partnered with several other creative minds to develop the building as a cooperative – the first of its kind on Central Park West. With only 85 very large apartments, Harperley Hall exudes an air of exclusivity and elegance.

One of its distinctive features is its U-shaped design, with a T-shaped courtyard. The building's exterior is adorned with ribbon brick coursing in a Flemish Bond pattern, along with classical granite and limestone foundation, entablature, and cornices. Wilkerson named Harperley Hall after a manor house in Northumberland, England, which reportedly was his ancestral home, adding a touch of personal history to this architectural gem.

While the exterior is a sight to behold, our work on this project focused on preserving its historic charm while upgrading its functionality. For this project, we installed solid mahogany Parrett Windows and Marvin Windows, following strict landmark guidelines and special engineering specifications. This included the complete removal of the existing original or replacement windows, removal of all old framing, repair of existing masonry openings, reframing with fire-rated lumber, installation of vapor/water barriers, termination bars, seam sealers, and solid blocking with properly spaced anchors.

Harperley Hall, also known as 1 West 64th Street, is not just a building; it is a piece of New York's history. Its side-street entrance, complete with a guardhouse, adds to its allure and mystique. Working on projects like Harperley Hall reminds us of the importance of preserving our architectural heritage and ensuring that these landmarks continue to stand tall for years to come.

Exploring New York City's Iconic Landmark Windows

New York City's skyline is a testament to human ingenuity and architectural brilliance. Among the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets lie windows that have become iconic symbols of the city's rich history, culture, and innovation. From the sleek modernity of glass-walled structures to the ornate detailing of historic buildings, each window tells a story of New York's past and present. Join us on a virtual tour as we explore some of the most iconic landmark windows in the Big Apple.

Empire State Building

Standing tall at the heart of Manhattan, the Empire State Building is an enduring symbol of New York City. Its Art Deco design, completed in 1931, boasts a plethora of iconic windows that offer stunning views of the city below. The observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors feature floor-to-ceiling windows, providing visitors with panoramic vistas of Manhattan and beyond. Whether gazing out at the twinkling city lights or marveling at the expanse of Central Park, the windows of the Empire State Building offer an unparalleled experience.

One World Trade Center

As the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center commands attention with its sleek glass facade. The building's innovative design incorporates energy-efficient glass panels that not only provide breathtaking views of the city but also reflect the ever-changing sky above. The observatory, located on the 100th floor, boasts expansive windows that offer visitors a bird's-eye view of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and the surrounding skyline. These windows serve as a poignant reminder of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

The Dakota

Nestled on the Upper West Side, The Dakota is a historic apartment building renowned for its timeless elegance and architectural grandeur. Built in the late 19th century, The Dakota features exquisite windows adorned with intricate carvings and ornamental details. These windows have borne witness to decades of New York City history, from the Gilded Age to the present day. With views overlooking Central Park, The Dakota's windows offer a glimpse into a bygone era while remaining an integral part of the city's cultural landscape.

Chrysler Building

An Art Deco masterpiece, the Chrysler Building is revered for its distinctive design and iconic crown. The building's gleaming windows shimmer in the sunlight, reflecting the vibrant energy of the surrounding metropolis. The observation deck, located on the 71st floor, offers visitors a close-up look at the building's famous gargoyles and gargantuan stainless steel eagles. From this vantage point, one can admire the intricate detailing of the building's exterior and marvel at the sweeping views of Midtown Manhattan.

The Guggenheim Museum

Designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim Museum is a modernist masterpiece that defies convention. Its unique spiral design features a series of continuous windows that bathe the interior in natural light. As visitors ascend the museum's ramp-like galleries, they are treated to ever-changing views of the cityscape outside. The windows of the Guggenheim serve not only as architectural marvels but also as integral components of the museum's innovative design.

New York City's landmark windows are more than just architectural features; they are portals to the past, present, and future of the metropolis. From the soaring heights of skyscrapers to the timeless elegance of historic buildings, these windows offer a glimpse into the soul of the city. Whether admiring panoramic views from the Empire State Building or contemplating the intricate detailing of The Dakota's windows, one thing is certain: the windows of New York City will continue to inspire awe and wonder for generations to come.

A Window into the Past | Upper Central Park West

Nestled along West 95th Street in New York City's Upper Central Park West Westside Landmarks Historic District stand four enchanting Row Houses that have withstood the test of time. Built between 1888-1889 in the Baux-Arts Style by the visionary developer George Holiday, these Carved Limestone houses with Mansard Slate Roofs are a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage. Recently, we had the privilege of completing the Marvin Ultimate Custom Painted Double Hung G2 Window Replacement for one of these lovingly restored Town Houses, unlocking a window into the past.

A Glimpse into History

George Holiday, a man of many talents, acted as his own architect, designer, and builder for the four high-end residences at 10 through 16 West 95th Street. The Neoclassical homes were meticulously constructed in an A-B-B-A configuration, showcasing Holiday's commitment to architectural finesse and attention to detail.

The mirror-image center houses, Numbers 12 and 14, boast arched openings with Variation Six Style at the parlor level, a bowed bay at the second, and pedimented windows at the third. The fourth floor is adorned with a slate-shingled mansard featuring windows grouped within a single dormer, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to these historic gems. Originally, these architectural marvels were designed with One-over-One Double-Hung/Wood Windows, a hallmark of the late 19th-century construction.

Preserving the Legacy

In our recent project, we undertook the task of replacing the aging windows with Marvin Ultimate Custom Painted Double Hung G2 Windows. This meticulous process aimed not only to enhance the energy efficiency and functionality of the homes but also to preserve the historical charm embedded in every detail.

These windows seamlessly blend modern technology with timeless design, ensuring that the new windows complement the unique character of the Row Houses. The custom paint finish adds a touch of authenticity, mirroring the aesthetic nuances of the original windows while providing the benefits of advanced materials and construction techniques.

The completion of the West 95th Street project stands as a tribute to the architectural legacy of George Holiday and the bygone era of New York City's Upper Central Park West Westside Landmarks Historic District. It is a celebration of the past, present, and future, demonstrating how thoughtful preservation and modern innovations can coexist harmoniously. As we gaze through these newly installed windows, we not only witness the beauty of the moment but also honor the enduring spirit of a bygone era.

Is it a "Brownstone" or is it a Townhouse?

A brownstone is a type of townhouse constructed from a brown sandstone that is used to build these types of homes. It comes in varying shades or hues from brown to red, with the trademark color coming from a high amount of iron in the stone.

A townhouse can be built of any material. If it is made of brick (or primarily brick) then it is a townhouse, not a brownstone. Over the years, the term "brownstone" has become accepted to include almost any city row house but the widespread use of the term is technically incorrect. If the building is not made of or fronted with brownstone, then the house is not a brownstone it is a townhouse or a row house.

In other words, brownstones are townhouses but not all townhouses are brownstones.  

Brownstone townhomes first popped up in New York City in the early 19th century and are typically a city row house three to four stories tall with the primary street façade clad in sandstone. They were built for the burgeoning middle class with the sandstone usually being quarried in nearby Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey as a cheaper alternative to marble or limestone. In fact, many of the earlier row houses have only a brownstone façade, the rest of the structure is brick, while later more ornate and expensive houses are made entirely of the sandstone.

These townhomes were considered less desirable by the affluent until the mid-nineteenth century, when the Romantic Movement ushered in a taste for dark materials. Improvements in mining made newly stylish brownstone more affordable and by the 1860's it was the building stone of choice.

Today, the majority of brownstones can be found throughout the Manhattan and Brooklyn burrows of New York City as well as in Hoboken and Jersey City.

Architects like Benjamin Driesler and Theobald Engelhardt are synonymous with promoting not just the field of architecture but also creating neighborhoods that are still looked at as some of the most beautiful in the city more than 100 years later.

In other parts of the country there are similar names for townhomes built from stone. Around Chicago, these buildings are referred to as greystones because the homes are built from limestone or marble quarried in neighboring Indiana. These buildings were constructed for a variety of classes, from the working class to the wealthy and were almost always designed as two, three, or four family homes. Many of these still remain as multi-family dwellings today.

However, unlike the greystones in Chicago, a good deal of the brownstones and greystones in New York have been converted into multiple-family apartment homes over the years. Although this trend has reversed in recent years to reestablish these structures as single family homes. Also many of these greystone buildings (townhomes) were mansions built in the Gilded Age for and by the wealthy upper class of New York.

The style of the facades is one of the main differences between brownstones and greystones. While brownstones built between 1830-40 typically feature Italianate details, while the greystones built later in the 1900's are often Romanesque or Neoclassical.       

In addition there are also examples of greystones built through the 1930s that were also built along the Neoclassical, Beaux Arts, and Chateauesque styles. Similarly, brownstones were not only built in the Italianate style with some of the later examples, especially in Manhattan's Upper West Side, stretch into the Queen Anne, Beaux Arts, and even Romanesque varieties.

The most notable difference between the two is that the greystone is more commonly a semi-detached or fully detached townhouse, while the brownstone is almost always attached - a row house - one that immediately adjoins the neighboring building to create a solid street façade.

The sides, rear, and front of these structures, in other words, the structural walls, are typically brick. The stone is a veneer which is attached to the front brick wall with metal ties, while foundations were constructed of local schist. The upper floors, besides being faced with brick or stone, commonly had window sills, lintels, door surrounds, and stoops made of the stone.  

Unquarried brownstone is horizontally oriented but since the stone looks better when it’s set vertically, that was how it was placed during construction. This however, was then the reason many facades began to prematurely deteriorate and spall (flake off) because this secondary grain of the sandstone was not a strong as the primary grain. Greystone facades didn’t have the issue because the secondary grains of the lime stone or marble were stronger.

One of the most distinctive features of a classic New York brownstones is its stoop, a word appropriated from “stoep”, the Dutch word for “stair.” The Dutch built stoops to raise their parlor floor above flood waters. Some surmise that the New York stoops were built to rise above the daily sights, sounds, and smells of horse manure, muck, grime, creaking carriage wheels, clomping horse hooves, and splattered mud.

Walk down many streets in Manhattan's Upper West Side or Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens, and you'll know exactly what we mean. Despite their similarities, brownstone and greystones are distinct variations on a theme, more architectural cousins than siblings.

Needless to say, we love these wonderful buildings equally and enjoy working to preserve and enhance them.

---

ARE YOU AN AUDIO LISTENER?

Click here to learn about the difference between Brownstones and Townhouses

Happy 143rd birthday, Reade Street project!

Our Reade Street project is nearly 143 years old! We’re installing bespoke windows in this Tribeca gem.

Built in August of 1878, owner William Zschwetske commissioned architect John B. McIntyre to design a commercial building. McIntryre didn’t disappoint. The first floor’s cast iron storefront serves as the base for four white marble floors above.

Fluted Corinthian columns frame the tall windows on the second floor, further detailed with French Second Empire pediments, leafy scrolled brackets, and medallions set in wave-like scrollwork. The treatments get simpler with each consecutive floor, though a metal fire escape masks the gorgeous details.

Two triangular Renaissance Revival pediments bookend a centered Second Empire pediment on the third floor.

The fourth floor has a single Renaissance pediment, and two flat lintels.

The fifth floor has three projecting lintels held up by unadorned brackets. Above sits a pressed metal cornice.

Despite the years, and many owners and industries taking residence, the building remains a Victorian jewel. The 1879 storefront survives surprisingly intact, and the the building hosts a spacious high-end apartment on each of the upper four floors. 

The fifth floor of 92 Reade Street has the simplest exterior window treatments, with unadorned brackets and lintels.

The cast iron ground floor of this Tribeca landmark is topped with increasingly simpler marble window treatments.

Leafy corbels adorn the second floor windows of No. 92 Reade Street.

An interior view of the bespoke windows installed in the high-end Tribeca apartments.