Webb Institute and Home for Shipbuilders, 1914.

Established by shipbuilder (and industrialist and philanthropist) William Henry Webb in 1889, the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture educated its students in structural and mechanical engineering and other scientific disciplines, with the goal of creating more efficient and advanced ship designers. Construction on the Bronx home for the school began in 1890 and was completed the year its first class graduated: 1893. The look of the school was intended to be "a romantic version of a medieval castle," with turrets, fanciful carving, and other decorative ornamentation.

The building served its purpose for more than 50 years. During World War II the Navy trained officers here. In 1945 the Bronx building was deemed lacking in size and modern science facilities. It was sold, and the Institute moved to the former estate of Herbert L. Pratt in Glen Cove, Long Island. In 1950 the Fordham Hill Apartments were constructed on the hill that had once been home to the Webb Institute. These nine highrise apartment houses were initially rental properties but went co-op in 1982.