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95 Years Ago

Fri., March 25, 2005

Browsing the New York City Apartment Building Living, 1880s-1910s gallery in the New York Public Library’s excellent online collection, I was surprised to find a photo depicting my apartment building.

Inspired by New York Changing (1997-2001), a series in which Douglas Levere rephotographed shots from Changing New York, a series taken by Ohio-born WPA photographer Berenice Abbott from 1935 to 1938, I decided to recreate the photo of my building with my digital camera. In a pop-up window, you can view both photos side-by-side. (Geometry and spatial relations are not my strong suit, so was a pain for me to get the angles in the photos to even somewhat line up.)

Taken in 1910, the original photo’s chief subject is The Lancashire, the apartment building just west of my own (which you can see squeezed into the right-hand side of both photos). You’ll notice not much has changed externally in 95 years. On-street parking is slightly different—I’m amused that the lower-left hand corner of the older photo shows what appears to be a wagon (horse-drawn?) while the newer photo shows an SUV-ish vehicle. You’ll also note the removal of the adornment that used to hang the length of The Lancashire’s roof. The World’s New York Apartment House Album, the book in which the original photo was published, includes a description of the building and its apartments:

The Lancashire

353 West 85th Street

An absolutely fireproof building of the highest class, offering to people of discrimination a home with every modern convenience. The location being the most convenient and select residential section of the city.

The building is eight stories high and of thoroughly fireproof construction, with concrete sound-proof floors and partitions, solid porcelain fixtures throughout, including kitchen. The lighting fixtures are of an original and exclusive design, with ample outlets permitting any desired effect in lighting.

The suites are trimmed in hardwood throughout, beamed dining room ceilings, wainscoting paneling, Dutch shelf mould. The parlors are of mahogany and white enamel, bedrooms and bathrooms being finished in white enamel or hardwood. Parquet floors in every room, including private halls and chambers.

Vacuum cleaner: A permanent efficient plant for which there is no extra charge.

Each apartment has wall safes and long distance telephone connection.

Men Servants’ Quarters: Special arrangements for men servants in upper story of building.

Apartments comprise seven and eight rooms and two baths.

The New York City Apartment Building Living gallery contains more nearly century-old photos taken in my neighborhood and in the near future, I hope to post additional then-and-now shots.

Tags: Architecture, Photo | Comments have been closed.

On March 26, 2005 at 1:46 p.m., Mom & Dad wrote:

Also interesting that your building without "fireproof construction" is now bristling with fire escapes.

On March 26, 2005 at 3:41 p.m., Andie Hine wrote:

it sounds great! i think we should move there!

On March 26, 2005 at 3:42 p.m., Andie Hine wrote:

i especially like that it mentions sound proofing. yeah right!

On March 26, 2005 at 8:29 p.m., Jimi Sweet wrote:

Does your man servant still live in the top?

On March 28, 2005 at 8:39 a.m., someone anonymous wrote:

Since the 95 year old description boasted of "every modern convenience" , does the building now offer post-modern conveninces?

If so, what are they?

On March 28, 2005 at 3:08 p.m., Jason wrote:

While I can't speak for the Lancashire, I can confirm that my building has neither man servants nor many other conveniences, excepting an elevator, which in NYC is considered a convenience. Other than that, it has "charm," characterized by creaky hardwood floors, an antiquated heating system and a really tiny bathroom and kitchen.