P.S. 135, Historic school building in Turtle Bay, Manhattan, United States
P.S. 135 is a historic school building at First Avenue and East 51st Street in Turtle Bay, built in Romanesque Revival style with distinctive brick and stone detailing. Today the original facade stands preserved as an outer shell wrapped around a modern condominium tower constructed in 2000.
The building was constructed in 1892 by architect George W. Debevoise on land that once formed part of James Beekman's Mount Pleasant estate. It became an important part of the neighborhood's growth and development through the 20th century.
The building served many neighborhood functions over time, from a school to a community hub and shelter for those in need. Its brick face on the street represents generations of New Yorkers who passed through its doors.
The building sits right on the street and is easy to view from outside, though it is now surrounded by a modern tower. The best view of the historic brickwork and stonework is from First Avenue.
Remarkably, the entire interior of the building was completely gutted and replaced with modern spaces during renovation in the 1990s. Only the outer shell with its Romanesque Revival brick and stonework remained standing and was later preserved as an architectural facade.
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