History and architecture
The Fabbri House at 7 East 95th Street, built in 1914-16, is stylistically derived from Italian Renaissance sources and has many of the characteristics of an Italian palazzo. The architect, Grosvenor Atterbury, is noted for his restoration of City Hall in 1908.
The area in which the house is located acquired the name "Carnegie Hill" soon after Andrew Carnegie erected his mansion at Fifth Avenue and 91st Street at the turn of the century. Although middle-class residences had been built in the area in the 1880s and 1890s, Carnegie's move uptown inspired other well-to-do business and professional people to build here.
Edith Fabbri purchased the property for the house in 1912, and she and her husband Ernesto moved into the house in 1916. Mrs. Fabbri transferred the building to the House of the Redeemer in 1949; it is now used as a retreat center.
This handsome five-story brick structure with contrasting limestone detail displays a warmth because of its materials that is somewhat unusual in a palazzo design. The L-shape of the plan with a rear wing at the western side of the main section of the house forms a courtyard—an unusual feature in the New York City block system. The courtyard is entered through an elaborate wrought-iron gate set between urn-topped stone pillars.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.