| Photo of 242 E 111th Street – Engine Company 91 & Ladder Company 43 – by Matthias Helfen, 2021 |
| Constructed from 1910-1912, this early 20th century Renaissance Revival firehouse is one of three similar structures built with a three-bay-wide, three-story design around the city. Of the three, one has already been designated by the Landmark Preservation Commission as an individual landmark in 2018 (Engine Companies 264 & 328/Ladder Company 134 at 16-15 Central Avenue).After the consolidation of the five boroughs of New York City in 1898 unleashed a flurry of municipal construction, it was a common practice to recycle designs for similar building types. This three-story structure was a standard design used at 18 different locations, “simple and dignified and without any unnecessary elaboration,” and adapted in versions with one, two, or three bays for varied urban sites. The prototype was designed by Hoppin & Koen, partners who had earlier worked in the preeminent New York City firm of McKim, Mead & White and were also the architects of the FDNY’s first headquarters. |
| Photos of Engine 91 shortly after firehouse completion, ca. 1915 & in 1936 via “FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies” – nycfire.net |
| The firehouse was designed to be of fireproof concrete construction with a stucco finish. After bids for construction overran the appropriated funds, cost savings were achieved by substituting red brick, limestone, and cast-stone cladding. It features rusticated limestone at the ground floor, three segmental-arched vehicle bays, red brick cladding on the upper stories, and pairs of monumental brick pilasters supporting a cast stone entablature and brick parapet.Today, the building is in excellent condition and still in use as a firehouse for Engine Company 91. Landmark East Harlem is currently working with community members to make the case for LPC to protect this historic structure through designation as an individual landmark. |
Join Landmark East Harlem
| Who is Landmark East Harlem?+We are a coalition of organizations and individuals whose mission is to protect the special character of the neighborhood. We do this by working to secure City landmark designation and State and National Register listing for individual properties and historic districts in East Harlem. We also advocate for contextual new development and adaptive reuse of older properties. Learn More about LEH What are Preservation Action Alerts?+When we hear of a structure or community institution being considered for demolition or in need of preservation assistance, we’ll let you know how you can help. Come join us at a rally, sign a petition, or share a post on social media. Neighborhood preservation is a community effort! |
 |
| www.LandmarkEastHarlem.org421 East 116th Street, New York NY 10029 United States |