520 West End Avenue

520 West End Avenue, also known as the Leech residence, is a landmarked mansion on West End Avenue, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

The house, built as a single family residence, was built in 1892 as the residence of Isabella and John B. Leech. Leech was a prosperous cotton broker. The architect was Clarence F. True. At the time the Leech residence was built, West End Avenue was lined with single family homes belonging to prosperous families.[1]

520 West End Avenue is a Romanesque Revival building, built of blocks of rusticated limestone on the first two floors with tan-colored Roman brick above. Detailing draws on Gothic and Elizabethan styles.[1] Built on a corner lot, it was one of the largest homes on a street of townhouses.[2] For a time it housed the Gordon-Winston School. It is now an apartment building.[1]

Development battle

The house was declared a New York City landmark in 1987.[3][4][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Barbaralee (March 1998). The Landmarks of New York III. New York: Harry N. Abrams. p. 213. ISBN 978-0-8109-3594-5. 
  2. ^ New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (2003). Guide to New York City Landmarks (3rd ed.). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. p. 149. ISBN 0-471-36900-4. 
  3. ^ Dunlap, David W. (1987-04-30). "Panel Declares Landmark Site at Town House". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/30/nyregion/panel-declares-landmark-site-at-town-house.html. Retrieved 2009-09-05. 
  4. ^ Dunlap, David W. (1988-06-15). "Judge Overturns Landmark Status of Town House on Upper West Side". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/15/nyregion/judge-overturns-landmark-status-of-town-house-on-upper-west-side.html. Retrieved 2009-09-05. 
  5. ^ "Town House Made A Landmark Again". New York Times. 1988-08-15. http://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/15/nyregion/metro-datelines-town-house-made-a-landmark-again.html. Retrieved 2009-09-05.