Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 088358
Manhattan, Block: 492, Lot: 23
222 Bowery - Individual Landmark Historic District
A Queen Anne style institutional building designed by Bradford L. Gilbert and built in 1884-85. Install storefront infill and signage.

HDC Testimony
HDC would like to compliment the applicant on a very thorough, clear presentation. We were particularly grateful for the material samples and the very detailed historic photos that predate the tax photos. The application does begin to move this building in the right direction, and it will be very nice to see the individual landmark presently hiding under all that signage and rolldown gates. With the clear, detailed documentation of the original first floor and the upper floors retaining their historic fenestration, it seems only appropriate though that the ground floor be kept as close to the original as possible.

HDC appreciates the reopening of the lower portions of the windows, but would like to see the wrought iron metal work also reinstalled. Without it, the base looses much of its strength. We question the need to move the transom bar of the windows down. The transoms now, as they historically have been, line up with the rusticated stone banding that acts rather like imposts to the slight arches of the window openings. Moving the transom bar takes away from the unity of the windows and this façade detail and splits the windows in half changing the proportions and giving them a squat appearance. If at all possible, it is important to maintain the existing entrance to this space off of the main entrance, rather than creating an entirely new one out of a window opening and removing historic fabric.

The pin mounted lettering proposed would compete with the "Young Men's Institute" title in the brownstone band above, a sign seen in the historic photos dating back to the building's opening. Instead, HDC recommends using a blade sign, as there seems to be some sort of signage perpendicular to the building in the c.1915 photo.

There is much in this proposal to be pleased about, and, with the changes recommended, HDC looks forward to the restoration of this fine individual landmark.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 090033
Manhattan, Block: 646, Lot: 1001
415 West 13th Street - Gansevoort Market Historic District
A vernacular style building, designed by Thompson Starrett Co. and built in 1900-01, with an addition designed by Steven Kratchman and built in 2002-03. Install new storefront infill and alter the loading platform.

HDC Testimony
HDC does not approve of this application as it would so sanitize the ground floor of this building as to give it the appearance of a suburban shopping mall rather than the Gansevoort Market Historic District. The storefronts have very little in common with the rest of the building, appearing to be designed without a thought of the upper floors. The protruding glass boxes change the plane of the ground floor, and their positioning seems to have no correlation to the openings on the upper floors. Placing reflective glass over the brick piers similarly takes away from the relationship with the rest of the brick structure and leaves the base of the building feeling too open and light. The line of steps leading from the sidewalk takes away the remembrance of the loading platform, and we question the steps’ legality and ADA compliance. Something with a side stair and a raised sidewalk along the former loading platform, as has been approved many times by the Commission for other storefronts in this district, would be far more appropriate. The proposed would visually remove the base of this historic structure, leaving no relationship to the rest of the building, its history, or the district.

LPC Determination: Denied

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 087231
Manhattan, Block: 712, Lot: 14
429 West 14th Street - Gansevoort Market Historic District
An Arts and Crafts style market building designed by William Waldorf and built in 1909, and altered by John Gillen and James S. Maher in 1922. Install signage.

HDC Testimony
While this proposal may be an interesting way to handle issues of the roll down gates and signage, other storefronts on this building have more traditional awnings. HDC recommends that a master plan for storefronts and signage be created instead.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 084019
Manhattan, Block: 646, Lot: 57
421-425 West 13th Street - Gansevoort Market Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style warehouse building designed by Hans E. Meyen and built in 1901-1902. Application is to install a metal canopy, replace existing light fixtures, and install signage.

HDC Testimony
The series of metal canopies proposed are strangely staggered, similar to nothing else in the district, giving the façade a jumbled, messy appearance. HDC urges that a more traditional metal canopy be designed for this warehouse instead.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 090222
Queens, Block: 148, Lot: 37
39-19 47th Street - Sunnyside Gardens Historic District
A brick rowhouse designed by Clarence Stein, Henry Wright, and Frederick Ackerman, and built in 1927. Application is to replace windows.

HDC Testimony
HDC does not feel that snap-on interior muntins are appropriate for this historic district. In February, Commissioners insisted on true divided light windows on the side and even the rear façade of 39-46 48th Street, indicating the importance of this design feature to Sunnyside Gardens. We urge the commission to continue this precedent and require the same here.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 087338
Queens, Block: 8067, Lot: 8
4 Oak Lane - Douglaston Historic District
An Arts and Crafts style house built circa 1915 and subsequently altered. Application is to construct a garage, construct an addition at the rear, alter an existing addition, and alter landscape features.

HDC Testimony
This application is a difficult one, on a difficult piece of land created by an earlier subdivision of the lot. The unfortunate result of such a project would be a concrete apron around a home in a district known for its green landscaping. HDC encourages the applicants and staff to think of alternate solutions, possibly only a single care garage with further plantings to mitigate additional paving, or if none can be found, consider that a garage may not be possible for this location.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 090008
Brooklyn, Block: 1117, Lot: 1
Prospect Park - Scenic Landmark Historic District
A skating rink and building, built in 1959, and the adjacent parking lot and landscaping, within a primarily naturalistic style park designed in 1865 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Application is demolish the existing building, rink and parking lot; construct a new building and rinks; and related landscaping.

HDC Testimony
While HDC has no problem with a sensitively designed ice rink here in Prospect Park, we feel the design and size of this structure is too at odds with the park. The Designation Report states that Olmsted and Vaux felt strongly that the addition of any structures should be secondary to the landscape and natural setting of the park. The report goes on to disparage 20th century buildings that were added later and their tendency to “dominate rather than be subordinate to the park setting.” It would be a shame to allow that to happen again here.

In many ways, the proposed feels like an overscaled version of the unpopular 1959 building it is to replace. The space overall is too paved, too sprawling for the picturesque naturalism of Olmsted and Vaux’s park. It is very angular and sharp in a space defined by curves and softness. In order to physically support an attempt at naturalism, the green roof, the proposed building ends up feeling very heavy, very weighed down. Partially enclosing the rink also lends to its massive feel and seems to go against the ideology of a park. Why is there a need to be indoors when the point of a park is to be outdoors? An indoor rink can be built just about anywhere, but it should not be in a scenic landmark.

Finally we are concerned about the Concert Grove, the neighboring area that is featured in many of the beautiful historic images presented. Happy to hear plans for the restoration of the grove, but there seems to be no relation between the setting or design of the new rink and this important piece of Olmsted and Vaux’s original design. The flow and harmony of the parts of Prospect Park must be kept in mind, and the mistakes of 1959 should not be repeated on a larger scale. Instead, there is a chance now to design a rink and building that serve the public and harmonize with the special place that is Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

LPC Determination: Approved

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 083020
Brooklyn, Block: 2550, Lot: 49 and 54
143-149 Kent Street - Greenpoint Historic District
A Romanesque Revival style church designed by William B. Ditmass and built circa 1870, and an attached school building designed by W. Wheller Smith. Application is to alter an areaway and install a barrier-free lift, alter windows and construct a sideyard rooftop addition.

HDC Testimony
HDC approves of much of the fine work proposed to allow for the adaptive reuse of these historic structures. Our only concern is the visibility of the solar panels. While we understand and appreciate the benefits of the solar panels, it seems that they would be visible. Applications for solar panels are something the Commission will hopefully be seeing more and more of in the years to come, and we urge you to think carefully about the issue of visibility, the different types of solar technology available, and their impact on the appearance and character of landmarks.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 088354
Brooklyn, Block: 1072, Lot: 34
18 Prospect Park West - Park Slope Historic District
A neo-Italianate Renaissance style residence designed by Montrose W. Morris and built in 1898. Application is to alter the rear façade and modify a window opening.

HDC Testimony
HDC finds most of this application appropriate, but we do question the choice to open the side up so completely. We would like to suggest retaining the interesting arched window opening and doorway, and thus retain a charming aspect of this side street façade.

LPC Determination: Approved

Hearing Date: 7/8/2008
LPC Docket Number: 085922
Brooklyn, Block: 41, Lot: 17
220 Water Street - DUMBO Historic District
aka 54 Bridge Street, An American Round Arch style factory building and built in 1893. Application is to construct rooftop bulkheads and mechanical equipment, replace windows, modify door openings, remove fire escapes, install signage and canopies and create a curb cut.

HDC Testimony
HDC approves of much of what is proposed for this factory building. In fact, it is very refreshing to hear an applicant proposing to let the building “be what it is.” The bulkheads and rooftop mechanical equipment are appropriate, what one would expect in an industrial neighborhood such as DUMBO, and we are happy to see the windows returning more to their historic configuration. HDC's main issue though is with the proposed canopy and signage. The glass canopy is too sleek, and we do not believe that an example of a similar one in the SoHo-Cast Iron district should necessarily be a model for this district. The signage proposed is also too sleek and residential feeling. Signage, of course, was a part of such factory buildings, and HDC urges the applicant to work with staff to find signage that is more historic in its design.

LPC Determination: Approved

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