History and architecture
This two-story stable building was constructed in 1902 for William R. H. Martin, a businessman and real estate developer active in the Murray Hill section of the city. Architect Ralph S. Townsend designed this small building in a distinctive Dutch Revival style, with an elaborate stepped gable and oversized stone quoins and voussoirs. Inset panels of horse heads allude to the building's original function, while a bulldog near the top of the gable adds a whimsical element to the facade.
The stable was purchased in 1907 by George S. Bowdoin who lived nearby at Park Avenue and East 36th Street. Bowdoin's daughter Edith inherited the building from her father, had it converted to a garage in 1918, and held ownership until 1944. As a rare surviving stable structure in Manhattan, this building serves as a reminder of the period of New York's history when horses were an important part of daily life and their care and housing had to be taken into consideration in building and city planning.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.