Morris & Laurenette Schinasi Residence

History and architecture

The imposing marble residence at the northeast corner of Riverside Drive and 107th Street was built for Morris Schinasi between 1907 and 1909. Designed by William B. Tuthill in the manner of a French chateau, the residence is a fine example of the neo-French Renaissance style of architecture. Schinasi was a member of the well-known tobacco-processing family and a partner in the firm of Schinasi Bros., Inc. which manufactured "Natural" brand cigarettes. Schinasi desired to live in a house befitting his wealth and this wish was realized upon the completion of his new free-standing mansion. William Tuthill, who had received a large portion of his training in the office of Richard Morris Hunt, is best known as the architect of Carnegie Hall.

This two and a half story building is basically rectangular in plan, accented by an interplay of projected and recessed wall sections. The flush entrance facade, facing Riverside Drive, is pierced by windows on each floor. The main doorway, located to the right, is approached by steps flanked by wing-walls. These wing walls terminate in high, square, newel posts that, in turn, connect with the balustraded yard railing.

High French windows, which open onto elaborate stone balconies, appear at the second floor on either side of the main entrance. These balconies are tied in with a broad band course which separates the two principal stories on all four sides. The long 107th Street facade is composed of end sections and a recessed central section. The one, nearest Riverside Drive, contains a two-story bay surmounted by an ornamented parapet. The Year facade has a throe-sided copper oriel at the second story.

The north facade of the house, which faces the neighboring building on Riverside Drive, has the most elaborate treatment. At the rear, them is a two-story oriel set above basement level. A broad first-story bay occupies the central portion of the facade.