520 West End Avenue, Landmark townhouse in Upper West Side, Manhattan, United States
Description
520 West End Avenue is a residential building on the Upper West Side combining Elizabethan, Gothic, and Romanesque Revival elements on its exterior. The structure uses limestone and red brick in distinct ways across its different levels.
History
Architect Clarence True designed this building in 1892 for cotton broker John B. Leech and his wife Isabella. It was built during a period when West End Avenue became a destination for the city's wealthiest residents.
Culture
The building shows how wealthy New Yorkers in the 1890s chose to display their taste through European architectural styles. Its layered facade in different materials reflects the aspirations and means of that period's elite families.
Practical
The building sits at the corner of West 85th Street and West End Avenue near Riverside Park. Public transportation is easily accessible and the neighborhood is very walkable.
Did you know?
The first two floors feature roughly hewn limestone blocks that shift to reddish brick on the upper stories, creating a noticeable change in surface texture. This transition was a deliberate choice both for durability and visual effect.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Manhattan).
The Belnord
160 m
Children's Museum of Manhattan
266 m
B'nai Jeshurun
242 m
Bretton Hall, Manhattan
142 m
West-Park Presbyterian Church
282 m
The Normandy
269 m
All Angels' Church
404 m
Astor Court Building
376 m
Red House
207 m
Public School 9
235 m
Metropolitan Fireproof Warehouse
352 m
Isaac L. and Julia B. Rice House
370 m
139 West 82nd Street
397 m
450 West End Avenue
271 m
Euclid Hall
72 m
The Umbria
237 m
AMC Loews 84th Street 6
164 m
251 West 81st Street
325 m
The Admaston
343 m
160 Riverside Drive
358 m
The Netherlands
215 m
The Clarendon
241 m
250 West 90th Street
390 m
155 Riverside Drive
330 m
355 West 85th Street
206 m
The Dorchester
240 m
St. Agnes Library
393 m
495 West End Avenue
123 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes