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1912 Lucania 235 West 71st Street
– 1910 235 West 71st Street (Alpern Fab Lux page 62)
– Anthony Campagna’s first project as owner/president
Featured with floorplan in Andrew Alpern’s book New York’s Fabulous Luxury Apartments page 62.
Featured in Andrew Alpern’s book Apartments for the Affluent pages 62 & 63.
Located in West End – Collegiate Historic District Extension designated 25 June 2013
1912
131
$200,000.00
71ST ST, Nos. 231-37 West 9-sty brick apartment house, 69.8˙86.2
OWNER / OWNER ADDRESS
(o) A. Campagna Const. Co / (o) 600 West 115th st COMMENTS
ARCHITECT / ARCHITECT ADDRESS
(a) Gaetan Ajello / (a) 1 West 34th st (source)
“Castelmezzano, meaning “castle in the middle,” derived its name from the fact that the ducal castle of my town was situated between the castles of two nearby towns. It is in the province of Basilicata, known in the Roman days as Lucania, from the Latin word “lucus,” woods, the region being then famous for its dense forests which abounded in wild boars and wolves, their species still surviving in unapproachable recesses.” Anthony Campagna’s autobiography Page 25
..what has happened to Gaetan Ajello’s 1912 Renaissance-style Lucania, at 235 West 71st Street, is one of the most extraordinary building alterations of the decade….The first was the Lucania, designed by Mr. Ajello, then near the beginning of his architectural career. He was working for Anthony Campagna, closely allied with the Paterno family of builders, all of whom were Italian born or of Italian descent. STREETSCAPES | 235 WEST 71ST STREET For a Grande Dame, More Than an Eye-Lift By Christopher Gray Feb. 26, 2009
Date: 1912 (original); 2006-09 (altered)
Building Name: (former) Lucania
NB Number: NB 131-1912; Job No. ALT 104830854
Type: Apartment Building
Architect: Ajello, Gaetan and Arbore, Mario Gaetan Ajello (1912); Mario Arbore (2006-09)
Developer/Owner/Builder: A. Campagna Const. Co. (1912); James Rinzler, Developer (2006-09)
Row Configuration: One of three very similar buildings designed by Gaetan Ajello on this block (the others are no. 220 and 221).
NYC Landmarks Designation: Historic District
Landmark Designation Report:
Addendum to the West End-Collegiate Historic District Extension Designation Report
National Register Designation: N/A
Primary Style: Renaissance Revival with Post-Modern alterations
Primary Facade: Brick, Granite, Limestone, Multi-toned brick, and Terra Cotta
Stories: 9
Decorative Metal Work: Balconette rails at second story; possibly historic transom screen at main entry.
Significant Architectural Features: Tripartite vertical configuration; two-story masonry base with limestone and terra-cotta details including molded window surrounds, bracketed sills, molded panels, cartouches, and a denticulated cornice; two large cartouches above the second story; double-height terra-cotta main entry portico; granite base trim.
Alterations: Facade rebuilt above second story, including removal of all original terra-cotta and masonry details such as a fifth-story balconette, molded window surrounds and arch-headed window openings at the ninth floor (see c. 1939 tax photograph for historic appearance); cornice removed (prior to c. 1980s tax photograph); some window openings altered when new facade installed; replaced sashes (except where noted, see “Building Notes”); lights at main entry; flag and metal armature above main entry; security cameras at first story at east and west ends of elevation.
Building Notes: One of three very similar buildings designed by Gaetan Ajello on this block (the others are no. 220 and 221). This one was always the least similar, and is by far the most altered. The alterations to the upper stories were undertaken as part of the building’s conversion to condominiums between 2006-09 and in conjunction with large-scale interior alterations. Possibly historic triple-windows with casement sashes and transoms at second story. Historic tax map lot 17 (presently condo lots 1201-1229).
References: Arbore Design, “Featured Work: 235 West 71st Street,” http://www.arboredesign.com (accessed May 8, 2013); Christopher Gray, “For a Grande Dame, More Than an Eye-Lift,” New York Times, March 1, 2009, RE5.
Site Features: Small granite step at main entry; in-ground metal hatch door to west of main entry
South Facade: Designed (historic at first and second stories; rebuilt above second story)
Door(s): Replaced primary door
Windows: Mixed
Security Grilles: Possibly historic (upper stories)
Cornice: Not historic
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Concrete and metal
West Facade: Not historic (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Facade altered and portions refaced with new brick facing to match new primary (south) facade; new masonry quoins towards southern end of elevation
Alterations: Repointed at parapet. Not historic (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Same as west facade
Alterations: Large painted area
East Facade: Not historic (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Same as west facade
Alterations: Large painted area
Historic District: West End-Collegiate HD Extension (source)
231 West 71st Street (aka 231-237 West 71st Street)
Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 1163, Lot 7502
Building Name: (former) Lucania
Date: 1912 (original); 2006-09 (altered) (NB 131-1912; Job No. ALT 104830854)
Architect/Builder: Gaetan Ajello (1912); Mario Arbore (2006-09)
Original Owner: A. Campagna Const. Co. (1912); James Rinzler, Developer (2006-09)
Type: Apartment building
Style: Renaissance Revival with Post-Modern alterations
Stories: 9
Material(s): Multi-toned brick; limestone; terra cotta; granite
Decorative Metal Work: Balconette rails at second story; possibly historic transom screen at main entry
Significant Architectural Features: Tripartite vertical configuration; two-story masonry base with limestone and terra-cotta details including molded window surrounds, bracketed sills, molded panels, cartouches, and a denticulated cornice; two large cartouches above the second story; double-height terra-cotta main entry portico; granite base trim
Alterations: Facade rebuilt above second story, including removal of all original terra-cotta and masonry details such as a fifth-story balconette, molded window surrounds and arch-headed window openings at the ninth floor (see c. 1939 tax photograph for historic appearance); cornice removed (prior to c. 1980s tax photograph); some window openings altered when new facade installed; replaced sashes (except where noted, see “Building Notes”); lights at main entry; flag and metal armature above main entry; security cameras at first story at east and west ends of elevation
Building Notes: One of three very similar buildings designed by Gaetan Ajello on this block (the others are no. 220 and 221). This one was always the least similar, and is by far the most altered. The alterations to the upper stories were undertaken as part of the building’s conversion to condominiums between 2006-09 and in conjunction with large-scale interior alterations. Possibly historic triple-windows with casement sashes and transoms at second story. Historic tax map lot 17 (presently condo lots 1201-1229).
References: Arbore Design, “Featured Work: 235 West 71st Street,” http://www.arboredesign.com (accessed May 8, 2013); Christopher Gray, “For a Grande Dame, More Than an Eye-Lift,” New York Times, March 1, 2009, RE5.
Site Features: Small granite step at main entry; in-ground metal hatch door to west of main entry
South Facade: Designed (historic at first and second stories; rebuilt above second story)
Door(s): Replaced primary door
Windows: Mixed
Security Grilles: Possibly historic (upper stories)
Cornice: Not historic
Sidewalk Material(s): Concrete
Curb Material(s): Concrete and metal
West Facade: Not historic (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Facade altered and portions refaced with new brick facing to match new primary (south) facade; new masonry quoins towards southern end of elevation
Alterations: Repointed at parapet
Not historic (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Same as west facade
Alterations: Large painted area
East Facade: Not historic (partially visible)
Facade Notes: Same as west facade
Alterations: Large painted area (source)
