I was walking to Michelangelo's Italian Restaurant the other day with K enjoying the night time Summer air when I spotted this little joint on 17th between H and I. In all my years living in midtown I had never noticed the Villa Marquise before!
It appears to be a two story enclosed apartment complex with some of the telltale Spanish Colonial Revival details I love... including a cute little shuttered balcony, built in flower pot holders, wrought iron railings and an archway with carved column's. Although the columns are narrower and faux...more of an afterthought as compared to other properties.
There are also a few iron-style lantern pieces...though these are sparse and not with the same amount of filigree typical of authentic period pieces. I almost get the feeling the original pieces have been removed and replaced with shoddy down market pieces..maybe an unfortunate choice of a new landlord.*
In fact the whole complex feels a bit more like a Mediterranean Italian or French** revival style rather than Mediterranean Spanish.. particularly because of the High-Style elaboration around the edges as seen above.
The one bit that sways me more towards Spanish Colonial Revival architecture is the brilliantly colored Catalina type tiles. Beginning at the locked alcove to the building is a lovely continuous inlay of small art tile pieces and larger adobe red tiles.
These also repeat once inside on the entrance steps.
But best of all are the few narrow repeating tiles along the outer edge of the entrance steps. Look at the bright oranges and gold's and how they contrast with the aqua blues and navy's. Gorgeous!
I love finding these little gems! I can only imagine (and hope) that there are as equally delightful tiles inside these little apartments!
* For those of you looking for a new pad...a review of the apartment complex from 2004.
** Apparently (according to Wiki) a Marquise is a French noblewoman ranked higher than a countess but lower than a Duchess...the wife of a Marquis.
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