Alwyn Court, spanning half a block, sharply contrasts with its surroundings, magnificently adorned with an array of intricate designs and figures, such as the crowned salamander and cherubs.
The artwork is in the neo-French Renaissance style. Crowned salamanders, the official symbol of Francois I, are seen on the building, which is located on Seventh Avenue between 57th and 58th streets, just south of Central Park.
A French couple visiting New York were taking pictures of Petrossian, the gourmet cafe and restaurant that dwells at street level. Though not familiar with the building’s history, they were taken by the Renaissance-derived detail. “I was taking the picture because it’s so strange to see that in the middle of all the new buildings,” the wife said.
“A single mold could be used time and again for casting clay blocks, which were later fired and glazed,” noted a plaque on the building.
It was originally created as a set of large apartments, ranging from 12 to 34 rooms, for the rich to move into the city, commissioned by developer, Alwyn Ball Jr., whom the building is named after. Over time, it was reconfigured to 75 apartments with three to four rooms each.
The building currently houses a luxury apartment complex, the Petrossian restaurant, and a Petrossian boutique cafe and caviar shop.
When asked whether people often inquired of the building’s history, both a restaurant and a boutique employee said no. “People come in here asking about caviar,” said the smiling boutique employee.
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