Jane's Walk: Site 18

We return to ogling oriels--this time on the 300 block of Warren Street. As we've seen, oriels are an element in the palimpsest quality of Hudson architecture. For two houses in the 100 block, both built in the 1890s, the oriel was part of the original design, but for most buildings on Warren Street, the oriel was added to an existing building during a Victorian "refitting."

A historic photograph provides evidence that the oriel at 362½ Warren Street was an addition to the building. What are now two buildings, bearing the numbers 362 and 362½, started out as a single building. The left half (362) has lost its storefront, while the right half (362½) has acquired an oriel.

In the historic picture of 362 Warren Street, it is possible to glimpse enough of 360 to see that the facade of that building has been significantly altered. The oriel is just one element of the change. Studying the facade reveals other elements that have been added, including a cornice with brackets and a gable positioned asymmetrically. 

A historic photo also provides evidence that the oriel on 338 Warren Street was an addition to an existing building. Although the oriel was already present on 338 when this picture was taken, along with Italianate window hoods, it is still possible to see that 336 and 338 started out as sister buildings, mirror images of each and identical in size and design.  

There are five more oriels on the 300 block of Warren Street. In all likelihood, every one of them was added to its building as part of a Victorian era refitting. 

325 Warren Street

 

337 Warren Street



340 Warren Street



341 Warren Street

 

352 Warren Street