Upper West Side in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The St. Urban

285 Central Park West

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, November 4, 2025

1. The St. Urban Marker

Inscription. This building, completed in 1906 to the design of Robert T. Lyons, is an example of the Beaux Arts style popularized at the time by Parisian prototypes. Distinguishing features include the porte cochere, originally used as a driveway for horse carriages, the turreted corner tower, elaborate limestone carving, and the copper mansard roof. Prior to the construction of the building, this site was the first home of the West Side Tennis Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 40° 47.227′ N, 73° 58.093′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Upper West Side. It is on Central Park West south of West 89th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 285 Central Park West, New York NY 10024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Downtown Connections (approx. 0.2 miles away); Andrew Williams (approx. 0.2 miles away); Discover Seneca Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seneca Village Landscape (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seneca Village Community (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seneca Village

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Searching for Seneca Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gardens (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . . The St. Urban Apartments -- No. 285 Central Park West.

Recognizing that New York society looked to France as the standard of things chic and fashionable, he followed the lead of the Broadway apartment buildings. His architect, Robert Timothy Lyons, designed a 12-story Parisian-inspired Beaux Arts confection of limestone and brick topped by a curved mansard and impressive corner tower crowned by a tall lantern. At street level, a wonderful carriage drive—an internal porte cochere—sheltered well-heeled residents from the elements as they stepped from their polished vehicles.

(Submitted on November 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, November 4, 2025

2. The St. Urban Marker

The marker is posted outside of the entrance to 285 Central Park West.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.