Spanish Institute

684 Park Avenue, New York, NY

History and architecture

This house is a part of that outstanding group of neo-Federal townhouses which extends along the west side of Park Avenue, between East 68th and 69th Streets, sometimes referred to as the "Pyne-Davison Blockfront" due to the uniform architectural quality of these houses.

The architectural design of the Oliver D. Filley house, just north of 68th Street on the west side of Park Avenue, is in every way compatible with the former Percy R. Pyne house it adjoins. The first floor rusticated base, the Iimestone belt course at the fourth floor window sill level, as well as the stone cornice and balustrade carry through similar designs at the same level, and the color and pattern of the brickwork are identical.

This is entirely by intention since the same architects, McKim, Mead & White, designed both houses. Oliver D. Filley was Percy Pyne's son-in-law, and there was formerly a physical interior connection between the two houses.

Sources and further reading

This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.

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