The Summersoy, 342 West 56th Street: Review and Ratings

Review of 342 West 56th Street by Carter Horsley

This distinctive, mid-block apartment building at 342 West 56th Street was erected in 1930 and has 42-co-operative apartments. 

It is known as The Summersoy. 

It is not far from Columbus Circle and public transportation.

Bottom Line

A handsome pre-war, mid-rise, mid-block apartment building whose fire-escape is almost obscured by the building's rustication, handsome entrance surround and delicate curved balconies.

Description

The building has a very handsome, four-step-up entrance surround with a large pediment supported by free-standing columns which encloses a gilded scene.  

The base of the building is rusticated limestone and the shaft of the building is rusticated brownstone.  

The entrance surround continues up on the second story. 

There is a central fire-escape above the entrance with a ladder suspected over a small fire-escape landing on the first floor, which is unusual because the building has a fence around its "moat" windows. 

The street façade bends on its far ends where there are wrought-iron curved balconies. 

The building has a bandcourse above the sixth floor and a strong cornice.

Amenities

The building has a live-in superintendent, a central laundry room, a video intercom and an elevator.  The building is pet-friendly.

Apartments

Apartment 7D is a one-bedroom unit with a long entry foyer that leads to a 18-foot-wide living/dining room with a fireplace and two angled windows and a step-up, 12-foot-long kitchen. 

Apartment 6F is a one-bedroom unit with a 15-foot-wide living/dining room with an enclosed 8-foot-wide kitchen. 

Apartment 3B is a studio unit with a 17-foot-long living/dining room with an angled wall and an open kitchen.