Inwood's Park Terrace West Designated A Historic District

INWOOD, NY — The city Landmarks Preservation Commission voted Tuesday to create a historic district for a stretch of homes on Park Terrace West and West 217th Street, and many neighborhood residents are hoping it's the first of many landmarking efforts in the area.

The Park Terrace West-West 217th Street Historic District will incorporate fifteen homes on West 217th Street and Park Terrace West that were built between 1920 and 1935, according to the city Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The two-story homes — many with yards and garages — provide a contrast to the dense character of Manhattan and instead resemble homes in outer boroughs and the suburbs. The small scale of the area is due to the fact that the land was owned by large estate properties or farms until the 20th century, according to LPC researchers.

"I am delighted the Commission has designated the Park Terrace West-West 217th Street Historic District," Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll said in a statement. "This district has a unique history in the development of Inwood and a very special character that is reflected in its picturesque houses and landscaped topography."

The historic district had the support of the local community board. The chair of the Community Board 12 land use committee said Tuesday that the new district will hopefully pave the way for more landmarks and districts in Upper Manhattan neighborhoods such as Washington Heights and Inwood.

"For more than a decade we have encouraged LPC to advance the designation of historic districts and individual buildings throughout Washington Heights and Inwood. This is a start and we look forward to working with LPC to advance the designation of more historic districts," Benjamin said.

Homes in the new district were designed by architects Moore & Landsiedel, Benjamin Driesler, Louis Kurtz, C. G. de Neergaard and A. H. Zacharius, according to a commission report. Most of the homes are two-story red-brick buildings designed in the Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival styles and many feature front yards.

Photo courtesy Landmarks Preservation Commission