684 Broadway (New York City, New York) | apartment building

 apartment building  Add category

12-story Renaissance-revival residential building completed in 1905. Designed by Frederick C. Browne as a store-and-loft building, it has grey-brown brick, limestone and terra-cotta facing. The Broadway facade is divided into three bays, with the two outer bays subdivided in two. The first part of the tripartite composition is the 3-story rusticated limestone base featuring 2-story segmental-arched show window with black cast-iron columns and a large scrolled keystone, elaborate spandrels, original bulkhead, and historic entrances to the store and upper floors, which are topped by cast-iron cartouches above the transoms. The 3rd floor has square-headed windows with projecting sills. The base is crowned by projecting molding.

The brick 7-story second stage has grouped fenestration beneath a monumental segmental-arch, horizontal moldings above the 4th and 9th stories; a gabled central window on the 4th floor, and an elaborately detailed terra-cotta 10th floor featuring rustication and an elaborate cornice. The 2-story third stage has paired windows separated by brick piers and decorative spandrels. The facade is crowned by a large, deep cornice with lions and shields.

The Great Jones Street elevation has eight bays, with similar details to those on Broadway. The ground-level end bays have elaborate hooded surrounds and non-historic storefront infill. A black wrought-iron fire escape runs down the center of the facade. The rear facade facing the alley is clad in grey brick, with stone sills and lintels on the windows. The building was converted to residential apartments around 2005. The ground floor is occupied by Brazilia Cafe, and In Living Stereo records and hi-fi gear.