Architectural Drawings for any old brownstone or tenement exterior
I have a project that involves creating an exact scale model of an old prewar NYC brownstone, townhouse, and tenement—preferably those that seem ‘typical’ of their building type. I haven’t been able to track down any web resources. I am aware that the Buildings Dept has drawings, and I took a day out visiting them,…
I have a project that involves creating an exact scale model of an old prewar NYC brownstone, townhouse, and tenement—preferably those that seem ‘typical’ of their building type. I haven’t been able to track down any web resources.
I am aware that the Buildings Dept has drawings, and I took a day out visiting them, but every plan that I found was illegible due to the fact that the microfilm was of a pencil drawing that at the point of photographing was probably at least 60 years old. Some were also missing the exteriors, which is what I needed.
I spent some time in the Columbia U architecture library, but the books only highlighted the mansion-type homes of the very wealthy, or those by famous architects—not the typical brownstone or tenement that is most recognizable as a classic feature of NYC neighborhoods.
I would greatly appreciate one or the other pieces of help:
1) An architectural drawing of a building that you have in your posession. I’ll pay a modest price for the hassle, and I’ll pick it up.
or:
2) If you can point to me a resource—such as a specific book title, or specific place in the Municipal Archives, the NY Historical Society, etc, where I can find what I’m looking for.
ALSO: designs for lintels, cornices, stoops, railings, etc, will be something that I’ll need too for the project. Anyone know how to locate designs for any of these?????
Many thanks
Hi, I might be able to help you, though I’m curious to know what you are using them for. If my plans don’t cut it, you could also always try going to a Brooklyn expediter, many of whom have plans on hand if you can’t find any through the Dept of Buildings.
Did you take a look at Charles Lockwood’s book Bricks and Brownstone, the New York Row House 1783-1929? It’s the bible of NY row house architecture, inside and out. It has floor plans, architectural renderings and all kinds of interesting information. Great book.
Other than that, maybe just pick a block, get the block and lot numbers and pull everything until you get lucky. Maybe try blocks in Bed Stuy or Crown Heights where information was not pulled as often, and the plans may be in better shape. Sometimes benign or intentional neglect has unexpected perks. If you pick houses that were built together as a development group, the plans for the entire group will be in the file of the lead house.