480 Park Avenue is one of those buildings that makes a non-architect wonder: Why is so much decoration put so high, where no one can see it?
Modest decoration appears on the three-story base; but at the 13th floor and above, there’s a proliferation of terra cotta. Garlands, grotesques, medallions, dentil and egg-and-dart moldings, brackets, balustrades, sculpted balconies and wrought-iron railings galore!
This is one of Emery Roth’s lesser-known buildings in New York – he has more than 200 to his credit. It’s still a joy to study, and another reason to look skyward when walking the streets of New York.
480 Park Avenue Vital Statistics
- Location: 480 Park Avenue at E 58th Street
- Year completed: 1929
- Architect: Emery Roth
- Floors: 19
- Style: Renaissance Revival
480 Park Avenue Recommended Reading
- Wikipedia entry (Emery Roth)
- Wired NY list of Emery Roth buildings
- City Realty review
- Street Easy NY listing
- Emporis database