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640 West End Avenue

640 West End Avenue

640 West End Avenue

By Carter B. Horsley

With its very large windows with limestone reveals, great copper cornice and imposing balconies, this is one of the most elegant apartment buildings in the city.

Erected in 1912 and converted to a condominium in 1986, this 12-story building has 37 units.

It was designed by Ralph S. Townsend.

View from the southwest

View from the southwest

The grey-brick building has a three-story rusticated limestone base with very handsome limestone balconies on the fourth floor and smaller balconies with garlands near the top. The building's entrance on the sidestreet has no canopy but two polished granite columns and a very impressive broken pediment reveal around the second floor window above the entrance that leads to a small but handsome lobby. Canopies normally make a building appear more impressive, but here the absence of a canopy permits a better view of the impressive entrance, a reminder that many buildings have obscured their handsome entrances with canopies.

Entrance

Entrance

The building, which permits protruding air-conditioners, is notable for its lush landscaping, much of which covers the lower portions of the building.

Facade

This is one of the most attractive areas along West End Avenue and is very convenient to Riverside Park and neighborhood shopping on Broadway.

 

For more information about 640 West End Avenue check its entry at CityRealty.com

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