Building: 290 West End Avenue

No. 290 West End Avenue was designed by the architectural firm of Schwartz and Gross and completed in 1925. Although not a household name, Schwartz and Gross was one of the most prolific residential architectural firms in Manhattan in the earlier part of the 20th century, responsible for apartment buildings on virtually every major residential thoroughfare in Manhattan. Their practice spanned three-and-a-half decades, covering the flamboyant Beaux Arts styles of the pre-World War I years, the more sedate Neo-Renaissance style of the 1920’s and the Art Deco architecture of the 1930’s. Examples of their work include the Brentmore at 88 Central Park West (1910) at 69th Street, with its mix of simplex and duplex apartments and 55 Central Park West (1930) at 66th Street, an Art Deco building where the brick gradually changes color from a deep purple at the base to a golden beige at the tower. No. 290 West End Avenue is a prime example of the Neo-Renaissance style with its buff brick façade embellished with classical detailing.

No. 290 West End Avenue was constructed directly across from the Charles M. Schwab mansion, which occupied the entire block between 73rd and 74th Streets and from West End Avenue to Riverside Drive. Built on the site formerly occupied by the New York Orphan Asylum, Schwab commissioned the construction of an enormous French inspired chateau. It was considered the largest free standing mansion in Manhattan when completed in 1906.

Read more in Deanna Kory’s “Architectural Histories” series on DeannaKory.com.