217 First Avenue; 354 East 13th Street; 215 First Avenue | Block : 454 | Lot #36

Description & Building Alterations

This five-story old-law tenement was completed in 1873. The original architect is unknown, however the architect of the adjacent building, W.E. Warring of 213 First Avenue, may have been the architect for this building as well. The original owner was Bernard Reilly.

In 1907 the interior windows were enlarged by architect Otto Reissman for owner Ellan Reilly. In 1908 the rear first floor window was enlarged and a water closet was installed in the first floor. In 1932 the courtyard was removed on the first floor to add space to the storefront, a new roof was erected over the first floor, and new floor beams were added on the first floor. At this time Giovanni and Salvatore Cuccia were the owners and S. Walter Katz was the architect. In 1933 partitions were erected on the second through fifth floors to create bathrooms, foyers, and new floor plans. At this time an interior stair was removed and relocated to go from the first to the second story. All plumbing fixtures were replaced and new windows were installed on the second through fifth floors. The building is five stories in height, five bays wide along the First Avenue elevation, and nine bays wide along the East 13th Street elevation. It is a corner building clad in brick with stone quoins, lintels, and sills.  Many of the profiled lintels have been removed. Both elevations retain the cornice with brackets, modillions, and dentils.