275-279 West 12th Street

 townhouses, 1830s construction, Federal style (architecture)

A trio of 3- and 4-story Federal-style residential buildings originally completed together in 1830 as 2.5-story townhouses. They were owned by James McAllis, a grocer, who had purchased the neighboring land in 1827. Interestingly enough, all this property remained in his hands until his death some forty years later. The new owner raised all three houses to a height of three stories in anticipation of a greater return on his investment.

No. 279 was altered to provide a basement entrance in place of the stoop in 1949. At the same time, both of the westernmost houses were raised an additional story, with large studio windows extending the full width of the facade. The bracketed roof cornice of No. 275 dates from when it acquired its third floor.