12 East 53rd Street, School building in Midtown East, Manhattan, US.
This building in Midtown East is a six-story limestone structure with Tudor-Gothic features, including two vertical facade sections and a peaked dormer window. The architecture combines European style elements with an urban New York setting.
The house was designed in 1871 by architect Griffith Thomas as a four-story brownstone residence for the wealthy Harkness family. After a major renovation in 1906 by Raleigh C Gildersleeve, the building gained its current six-story form and later served many different purposes.
The building displays English architectural features visible in New York that recall private homes from the 1800s. The stone facade and Gothic details shape the appearance of this neighborhood streetscape.
The building stands between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue, where it is easily accessible on foot and part of the Midtown pedestrian flow. Visitors should note it is a private building with limited access, so it is best to view the facade from outside.
The building had a fascinating life as a private residence, art gallery, and automobile club headquarters before finally dedicating itself to a fashion school. These varied uses reflect the changing nature of Manhattan.
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