House at 474 Ocean Avenue, Historic residence on Ocean Avenue, New York, United States
The house at 474 Ocean Avenue is a Greek Revival residence featuring classical proportions, supporting columns, and finely carved decorative moldings across its facade. The structure displays the careful craftsmanship typical of this architectural style, with symmetrical window arrangements and detailed exterior ornamentation that distinguish it from later buildings nearby.
The residence was built during the 1800s when Greek Revival style dominated American architecture and reflected the nation's cultural aspirations. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places recognized the building as architecturally significant and worthy of preservation.
The house reflects how American homeowners of its era adopted classical design principles to express taste and social standing in their residential spaces. Walking past it, you notice how these European-inspired details signaled cultural sophistication to neighbors and visitors.
The house sits within a neighborhood containing several other period buildings, allowing you to compare architectural styles and see how the area evolved. The exterior is best viewed during daylight hours when the carved details and proportions are fully visible.
The Greek Revival movement in America was partly inspired by support for Greece's independence struggle, making this architectural style a statement about ideological sympathies. Choosing such designs expressed not only aesthetic taste but also alignment with a political cause popular among educated Americans of that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.