LPC Designates Hotel Seville and The Emmet Building

Landmarks Preservation Commission


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 6, 2018

CONTACT:
lpcpressoffice@lpc.nyc.gov, (212) 669-7938

LPC Designates Hotel Seville and The Emmet Building

These two historic buildings north of Madison Square represent the neighborhood’s evolution from affluent residential blocks to a bustling commercial and business district.

Hotel Seville

Emmet Building

NEW YORK – Today, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated two historic buildings in Manhattan's Madison Square North neighborhood as individual landmarks: Hotel Seville, now the James NoMad Hotel, at 22 East 29th Street and the Emmet Building at 95 Madison Avenue. These two historic buildings represent the neighborhood's evolution from affluent residential blocks to a bustling commercial and business district.

"I am thrilled the Commission voted to designate both Hotel Seville and the Emmet Building," said Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan. "These elegant buildings are not only distinctive and exemplary on their own, but together they represent an era of change and development in the area north of Madison Square during the early 20th century. Their location across the street from each other reinforces this intersection as a reminder of the architectural exuberance of their historic period."

The Hotel Seville is a distinctive Beaux-Arts style hotel designed by Harry Allan Jacobs notable for its elegant architecture and its importance within the development of New York City hotels during the early 20th century. Prominently sited at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 29th Street, the building exhibits the classical composition and exuberant ornamental features that were popular for hotels and apartment buildings at the time of construction. It is particularly striking with its highly ornamented base and crown, horizontal stripes in red brick and limestone, contrasting bays of red brick and metal bowed windows and sculptural ornament in the French Renaissance style. The building has been updated and windows and lower floors have been altered over time to remain in hotel use. Yet, this handsome building, today known as The James NoMad Hotel, remains a striking example of the Beaux-Arts style, and contributes significantly to the streetscape.

The Emmet Building is a richly ornamented Neo-Renaissance skyscraper designed by John Stewart Barney and Stockton Beekman Colt, constructed between 1911 and 1912 for Thomas Addis Emmet, a pioneering gynecological surgeon. In the early 1900s, as new businesses were entering the area north of Madison Square, Dr. Emmet decided to form a real estate company with his son and commissioned this commercial building. Located on a corner site, the sixteen-story building included 15 floors for offices and wholesale showrooms and a lavish penthouse apartment and rooftop garden for Dr. Emmet. The building features a tripartite organization with heavy corner bays framing three center bays. The Emmet Building combines Early French Renaissance ornament with a Neo-Gothic vertical effect created by the columns running uninterrupted from the fourth to the eleventh story. It also features medieval figures, canopies, and gargoyles on the lower stories. At the time of its completion, the Emmet Building was a unique example of an office building developed by an individual with his own residential space included. Owned and operated by another family since the 1940s, the Emmet Building is a remarkably intact example of early 20th century commercial architecture in New York.

"The beautiful Beaux-Arts Hotel Seville and the neo-Renaissance Emmett Building are both well-known gems that future generations of New Yorkers deserve to see in their streetscape," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "This neighborhood contains a number of significant buildings that are well worth preservation, and I'm glad that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has acted to protect two that are so prominent among them."

"I am very pleased that LPC has voted to designate the Hotel Seville and the Emmet Building as historic landmarks," said Senator Liz Krueger. "These two buildings are gorgeous examples of early 20th Century architectural styles, and represent an important chapter in the story of their neighborhood. Now they will continue to be preserved for generations to come."

"I applaud this action by the Landmarks Preservation Commission," said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried. "The Hotel Seville and the Emmett Building are historically and architecturally distinctive early twentieth century buildings that are eminently worthy of landmark designation."

"The Emmet Building and Hotel Seville are quintessential New York City landmarks. They each carry distinct rich histories, clear and imposing architectural beauty and prime location," said Council Member Ben Kallos. "I am pleased the Landmarks and Preservation Commission voted to protect these buildings and keep them around for future generations of New Yorkers to see and learn about. Thank you to Assembly Member Richard Gottfried for his leadership and commitment to making this happen."

"The Hotel Seville's designation as a historic landmark will help preserve the building's contribution to the city," said Council Member Keith Powers. "The architecture adds character to the neighborhood, and the unique design reminds us of New York's past. I thank the Commission and the public for recognizing the importance of preserving this building."

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About the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)
The Landmarks Preservation Commission is the mayoral agency responsible for protecting and preserving New York City’s architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings and sites. Since its creation in 1965, LPC has designated over 36,000 buildings and sites, including 1,405 individual landmarks, 120 interior landmarks, 10 scenic landmarks, and 141 historic districts and extensions in all five boroughs. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/landmarks and connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCLandmarks and www.twitter.com/nyclandmarks.