Hearing Date: 3/25/2008
LPC Docket Number: 086318
Manhattan, Block: 473, Lot: 5
470 Broadway - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A commercial building orignally built in 1858, and altered in 1918 and 1940. Application is to alter the façade and install new storefront infill and signage.

HDC Testimony
HDC does not feel that this proposal takes this building in the right direction. In a district where much time, money and effort is being spent to restore buildings, it is a shame to see one that proposes to remove historic fabric and substitute it with a very transparent, bland façade and storefront fit for a suburban shopping mall, not the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.

We cannot support the removal of the present brick without any explanation of its condition. Other than looking old, a positive quality in an historic district, the bricks appear to be in good condition, their wear giving the building character and patina. We also feel there is no reason to remove the second floor windows and their interesting fenestration. Most of the examples shown of other storefronts in the area have details lacking in the proposed design. The applicant should return to those examples for more ideas.

In short, the proposed changes diminish the character of this building and the streetscape. Instead of drastic changes, the applicant should spruce up the building by taking down the roll-down gates, awning and signage, repainting the windows and cleaning up the brick.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

Hearing Date: 3/25/2008
LPC Docket Number: 081899
Manhattan, Block: 572, Lot: 71
55 West 8th Street - Greenwich Village Historic District
A transitional Romanesque Revival style apartment house built c. 1895. Application is to reconstruct the façade.

HDC Testimony
Initially HDC was concerned that cast stone was being proposed as a replacement for fire-baked clay brick. Now that we know that the existing, original material is concrete based, HDC supports this application. We are very happy to see that the applicant wants to restore this uniqure façade and all of its important design characters.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

Hearing Date: 3/25/2008
LPC Docket Number: 086454
Manhattan, Block: 553, Lot: 34
109 Waverly Place - Greenwich Village Historic District
A Greek Revival house built in 1840. Application is to construct rooftop and rear yard additions and to excavate the rear yard.

HDC Testimony
HDC feels the original attic window openings should be retained. Enlarging the windows would bring them too close to the cornice, losing the window head. While the window openings have been enlarged on similar buildings on the block, their loss makes the preservation of these windows all the more important. The Commission has been very strong on the retention of top floor fenestration on the rear façades of rowhouses, and HDC feels this protection should certainly extend to the front façades, obviously visible from the public way.

While we appreciate that this underground pool will be pulled in on either side from the neighboring foundations, the excavation required for the walls’ construction is still a danger to these buildings. As LPC does not oversee such work and DoB does not fully monitor these projects, historic buildings are left at risk, as the sad sight two blocks away on Broadway and Reade Street shows.

HDC urges the commission to reject this proposal in order to retain the historic design of this building and the stability of its landmarked neighbors.

LPC Determination: Mixed - see notes

Hearing Date: 3/25/2008
LPC Docket Number: 084026
Manhattan, Block: 1200, Lot: 31
262 Central Park West - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style apartment building designed by Sugarman and Berger and built in 1927-28. Application is to install through-the-wall air conditioner units and windows.

HDC Testimony
TAs HDC has stated in the recent past, and the Commission has agreed, windows are a key design element of large 1920’s apartment houses such as the White House. Although the historic 6-over-1 windows no longer remain on this structure, the existing hodge podge offers a chance to move towards something more appropriate than single panes. Divided light, double hung windows would be the suitable solution here, rather than continuing to create blank holes in the façade.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 3/25/2008
LPC Docket Number: 085651
Brooklyn, Block: 31, Lot: 1
201 Water Street - DUMBO Historic District
A Daylight Factory style factory building designed by Frank H. Quinby and built in 1913; and a two story vernacular style factory building built c.1900. Application is to alter masonry openings, replace the roof and install windows and storefront infill.

HDC Testimony
HDC would like to thank the applicant for this very clear presentation and a thoughtful proposal that is generally respectful of this building and its history. However, we feel some of the proposed alterations will remove the industrial nature for which the DUMBO Historic District was recently designated.

We feel the varied window patterns and masonry openings that exist now are more interesting and authentic than the sanitized regularity proposed. In addition, we were curious how the new windows will operate. The existing variety of operable styles lends, again, a more industrial feel to the structure and would be worthwhile reproducing to some extent in the new windows.

Finally, HDC objects to the removal of the skylight. The skylight is an important part of the building’s industrial identity and helps put the "daylight" in Daylight Factory style.

HDC urges the applicant to work with staff to retain more of the industrial quality of this historic factory.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 3/25/2008
LPC Docket Number: 081438
Manhattan, Block: 1231, Lot: 29
480 Amsterdam Avenue - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
A Renaissance Revival style tenement building designed by Charles Rentz and built in 1894-5. Application is to install storefront infill and signage.

HDC Testimony
HDC approves of this application to install storefront infill. We particularly like the treatment of the doors so that the ADA accessible entrance retains a symmetrical appearance.

We feel though that the signage is a bit much. At three feet tall, the sign band is rather large and we are interested to know if the molding visible on the corner pier and wrapping around onto the side exists under the present signage. If so, the molding should not be covered up, but rather the sign should be placed between the molding and the cornice.

HDC does not feel the bracket sign is needed on the side street. LPC’s bracket sign rules would not permit such a sign at this location. The store façade on 83rd Street extends only about 14 feet, not the required 25 feet, and there is no entrance on this façade. While the Upper West Side – Central Park West Historic District does not fall under these rules for staff level permits, we feel they are good guidelines.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

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