The Radiker House at 159 West 87th St.: Taming the west side of Central Park
- In the late 19th century, speculative building transformed the land west of Central Park
- Architect Gilbert A. Schellenger blended historic styles in designing 159-169 West 87th St.
Possibly because of its narrow proportions (just 18 feet wide), architect Gilbert A. Schellenger emphasized horizontality in his design at 159 West 87th St.
Have you ever passed by an interesting residential building in New York City and wanted to know more about its history? In this new series, Brick Underground teams up with Tom Miller, creator of Daytonian in Manhattan, a blog about Manhattan buildings and other historic architecture. Each week, we will run an excerpt from the Daytonian’s archives with a link to the full article.
In the late 19th century, speculative building transformed the undeveloped land west of Central Park. Many of these upscale properties can be credited to William C. G. Wilson and James Tichborne, who paired up to form the real estate development firm Tichborne & Wilson.
Among their projects were six three-story houses on the north side of West 87th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues. The properties at 159 through 169 West 87th St. were designed by architect Gilbert A. Schellenger in 1889. He blended historic styles in designing the houses, perhaps most conspicuously at 159 West 87th St.
Possibly because of its narrow proportions (just 18 feet wide), Schellenger emphasized horizontality. The rusticated, undressed stone of the basement parlor level, the rough courses of the second floor, and the incised lines of the third gave the impression of a wider structure.
On February 1st, 1890, the Record & Guide reported that Tichborne & Wilson had sold 159 West 87th St. to Peter Radiker, a grocer, for $22,500. The price Radiker paid for the new residence would translate to $800,000 in 2026.
Peter Theron Radiker married Nellie F. Pease on June 27, 1889. Their only daughter, Marguerite "Margaret," was born in 1891.
On March 1st 1891, the New-York Tribune reported, "A large and enthusiastic meeting was held...of property owners of the West Side." Among the attendees was Peter T. Radiker. "The objects and aim of the association will be the property regulation and restraint of the liquor traffic and prevention of the erection of improper buildings in the residential part of the West Side."
Radiker became a partner in the Cedarhurst Stables on West 83rd Street—a livery and boarding stable. Years later, when he realized that horses were being replaced with motor vehicles, he created the Cedarhurst Motor Livery Company.
For more on the resourceful Radiker and the evolution of 159 West 87th St., check out the full article.
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