520 West End Avenue Explained

520 West End Avenue, also known as the John B. and Isabella Leech Residence, is a landmarked mansion on the northeast corner of West End Avenue and 85th Street, 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 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. The detailing draws on Gothic Revival and Elizabethan Revival 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]}

See also

• List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets
• National Register of Historic Places listings in New York County, New York

References

40.7882°N -73.978°W

Notes and References

1. Book: Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Barbaralee. Vinchesi. Amy L.. The Landmarks of New York III. registration. March 1998. Harry N. Abrams. New York. 978-0-8109-3594-5. 213.
2. Book: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Guide to New York City Landmarks. 3rd. 2003. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Hoboken. 0-471-36900-4. 149. registration.
3. News: Dunlap . David W. . Panel Declares Landmark Site at Town House . The New York Times . 1987-04-30 . 2009-09-05.
4. News: Dunlap . David W. . Judge Overturns Landmark Status of Town House on Upper West Side . The New York Times . 1988-06-15 . 2009-09-05.
5. News: Town House Made A Landmark Again . The New York Times . 1988-08-15 . 2009-09-05.