Excellent Examples of Ivy-Covered Buildings

There’s no doubt that an ivy-covered building catches the eye. Instagram, Facebook, vacation photos – there’s just something magnetic about an ivy-covered building. The way it spreads so beautifully and clings so wonderfully. The images it evokes, of magnificent homes and mansions, in a time gone by.

Of course, like everything else in life, ivy has its supporters and detractors.  Architects, garden enthusiasts, and homeowners might have some worries about it. But getting into the pros and cons of ivy is way too down in the weeds for us. The people who were smart enough to enhance our neighborhood with their ivy-covered buildings have all that figured out.

So without further ado, here are some of the most photographed ivy-covered buildings on the Upper West Side. Ivy lovers can take a self-guided tour by walking north to south.

640 West End between 91^st and 92^nd Streets

The New York Times reports that this was designed by architect-developer Robert Townsend in 1912. It was reportedly converted into a condominium in 1986.

53 W. 87^th Street between Columbus and Central Park West

This four-story brownstone was built in 1891. It sits in the middle of a charming block, between the 87^th Street Community Garden and Central Park West.

51 W. 74^th Street between Central Park West & Columbus 

Built in 1900, this four-story home is steps from Central Park.

33 W. 74^th Street between Central Park West & Columbus

Known as “the most photographed home on the Upper West Side,” this home was built in 1901.

253 W. 70^th Street between West End & Amsterdam

This red brick Queen Anne home was built in 1886. According to the NYC Landmarks Designation Report, this home was combined with numbers 251 and 255 West 70^th Street in 1978. The combined home could now be understood as “read as one large house.” It was “designed in an ABA pattern….to give this (central) house the appearance of a grand main entry for all three buildings”.

We hope you enjoy these captivating views of the Upper West Side’s ivy-covered buildings!