SPOTLIGHT: 267 West 89th Street

This image shows the buildings West exterior.

by Shannon Brown 

The Mulliken and Moeller building was originally commissioned by North Holding Co, and designed by Harry B. Mulliken who, after studying at Columbia University, started his career working with the Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham before heading east to work with the New York architect Ernest Flagg. Some of his independent works include Spencer Arms Hotel (1904–05) - Mulliken and Moeller as architects, 2020-2026 Broadway, aka 147-149 West 69th Street, (not too far away from Landmark West!), Madison Court Apartments (1900–1901) – Mulliken as architect, and some other NYC sites outside of our district like 1361 Madison Avenue, aka 51 East 95th Street. Carnegie Hill landmark designation and many others.

The building changed hands many times; most recently, it belonged to Thomas J. Berman before transferring to J.P.Morgan Chase and then Citibank, all within this calendar year. 

Along with 343 other sites, this building became a part of the Riverside West End Avenue District Extension II on June 23 2015.  This extension lagged other prior designations of similar structures.  

Highlighted is the site plan of 267 West 89th Street

Typical floor plan

The defined boundaries included 267 W 89^th St but were drawn at its eastern edge, omitting its adjacent neighbor. Why you say? Due east of this building, The Admaston (251 West 89^th Street) aka 2421-29 Broadway has stood for over a century, created by George and Edward Blum in the Neo- Renaissance, Eclectic Style.  This apartment house lobbied for inclusion in new landmark district, but was left out.  Thus, it has no landmark protections under the law and may be altered or demolished without LPC oversight. 

267 West 89th street neighboring building (east) The Admaston

In August 1951 the city issued an amended Certificate of Occupancy to adhere to the approved plans and updated specification requirements of the building code.  This mainly affected cellar and penthouse levels. 

Some significant architectural features are key stone bases, a two story keyed surround incorporating Tudor arched entrance with molding, foliate spandrels, and triple window mullions with carved lancets.

Over the years many alterations have been made such as cornice frieze replacement, metal balconette replacements and the addition of cameras and surface-mounted conduits.  Any future changes such as these would need to be filed with the LPC (Landmark Preservation Commission) for approval as they affect the building’s exterior appearance.

~ My name is Shannon Brown and I'm an intern at Landmark West! I will be entering my senior year of high school in September 2015. My experience here has been a great one so far but hope to share more research before the summer is out.