17th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues is a cornucopia of architectural stylings. Our 413 sits smack in the middle of the block sandwiched between its two recently restored neighbors 411 and 415. There are lots of tiny two story wood frames in the area but few remain historically intact, unable to withstand generations of irreversible remudelings. Cornices fall or are removed to make the application of aluminum siding easier. Iron work "disappears" overnight never to be replaced. Facades are completely stripped of wooden details and then replaced with synthetic stucco slathered Styrofoam. In our recent speculator times many stand alone wooden homes sitting on lots over 24 feet have been demolished and replaced by shoddy ill mannered condominiums. |
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