535 Park Avenue is a pre-war cooperative apartment building at the northeast corner of 61st Street and Park Avenue, in the Lenox Hill section of the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City.[1] It was constructed in 1910 and was designed by architect Herbert Lucas.[1]

535 Park Avenue
Map
General information
Coordinates40°45′51″N 73°58′07″W / 40.76429°N 73.96848°W / 40.76429; -73.96848
Year(s) built1910
Technical details
Floor count15
Design and construction
Architect(s)Herbert Lucas

Architecture edit

Its architectural design and decoration was described as both Georgian and Colonial style at the time of its completion.[2][1] Herbert Lucas used similar architectural features from 24 Gramercy Park South, a building he designed, including the splayed lintels, simple brick and half-oval balconies.[1]

A characteristic feature of this particular building is the white glazed terra-cotta of the two lower floors that contrasts with the red brick from the upper floors.[1] Some critics were offended by this contrast, denouncing the terra-cotta as “cheap finery” and qualifying the building as “Palazzo Spotti.”[1][3]

History edit

 
The building in 1911.

The project started when the site at the corner of 61st Street and Park Avenue was acquired in early 1909 by a corporation known as Number 535 Park Avenue.[4] The project was viewed as a step to reimprove the north section of Park Avenue.[4]

The construction project was unusual at the time in the sense that it was led by a corporation of its future owners instead of being led by a real estate developer.[4] The future owners were organized as a housing cooperative, which was uncommon at the time. Unlike contemporary co-op buildings where most of their units are owned, in early co-op buildings half of its units were being rented by the owners.[1]

Residents edit

Notable residents include American painter Lydia Field Emmet.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Christopher Gray (August 1, 2013). "Ring Around the Collar at 535 Park Avenue". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Wikidata Q119359095. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  2. ^ The World's Loose Leaf Album of Apartment Houses, New York City, March 1910, Wikidata Q119361976{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Editorial (January 1, 1911). "The Duplex Apartment House: A Comparison Of The Newest Buildings Of This Type". Architectural Record. ISSN 0003-858X. Wikidata Q119577395. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Rebuilding Upper Park Avenue". The New York Times. May 30, 1909. ISSN 0362-4331. Wikidata Q119578374. Retrieved June 16, 2023.