Step onto Sylvan Terrace a hidden gem in Washington Heights. Imagine a time before towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. Sylvan Terrace is a captivating glimpse into 19th-century New York City.
This charming street lined with perfectly preserved wooden townhouses offers a unique escape. These twenty houses built in 1882 stand as a testament to a bygone era. They were designed by Gilbert Robinson Jr for developer James E Ray. These homes weren’t for servants as many believe. Instead middle-class residents a grocer and a feed dealer among them called this street home.
Sylvan Terrace initially served as a carriage drive. It connected the Morris-Jumel Mansion to Kingsbridge Road now St Nicholas Avenue. The view of the mansion framed by these charming yellow houses is still visible today. At the end of the street a small staircase leads to St Nicholas Avenue.
The street’s appearance wasn’t always so uniform. Throughout the 20th century changing architectural trends altered the street’s look. Many original details were lost. Wooden clapboard facades were covered with stucco or aluminum.
Happily Sylvan Terrace is part of the Jumel Terrace Historic District. It was designated in 1970. A restoration project funded by the federal government took place in the 1980s. The project restored the original look. Decorative cornices canopies and wooden shutters were painstakingly recreated based on a 1910 photograph.
Today Sylvan Terrace feels like stepping onto a movie set. It has been featured in films and television shows including Boardwalk Empire. The street’s quaint charm continues to captivate visitors and filmmakers alike. One can almost hear the clip-clop of horses’ hooves on cobblestone streets. One can almost see elegantly dressed residents strolling along. This tranquil street is a reminder of a slower more peaceful time in New York City’s history. A time when wooden houses were commonplace. A time when a walk down Sylvan Terrace was a journey back in time.