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Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
3/4/2008
Item 3
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
083301- Block 1965, lot 38-
214 Greene Avenue - Clinton Hill Historic District
An Italianate/neo-Grec style rowhouse designed by Benjamin Linikin
and built in 1876 and altered with a storefront addition in 1908
by Axel hedman. Application is to modify a storefront installed
without LPC permits.
The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s
designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation.
Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic
districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the
application now before the Commission.
The proposed storefront seems to lack the depth seen in the 1940s
tax photo. In addition, the signage is disproportionately large,
and we would like to see a wood bulkhead on the door as it is on
the rest of the storefront. HDC recommends that staff work with
the applicant to create a storefront that follows more closely the
one seen in the historic photo.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
3/4/2008
Item 13
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
085204- Block 1170, lot 1-
390 West End Avenue - Individual Landmark Historic District
An Italian Renaissance style apartment building designed by Clinton
and Russell and built in 1906-1908. Application is to establish
a Master Plan governing the future replacement of windows.
The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s
designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation.
Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic
districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the
application now before the Commission.
The Apthorp Apartments set the bar high for luxury when it was
opened in 1908, and six decades later its elegance was formally
recognized when the building was designated one of the city’s
first Individual Landmarks. Considered to be the finest of the surviving
apartments developed by the Astors, the Apthorp embodies the sophistication
of turn-of-the-century courtyard apartment buildings. An Individual
Landmark of such architectural importance deserves windows as distinguished
and refined as the rest of the building.
The windows on the seven bottom floors should be wood – restored
originals or exacting replicas – as per LPC’s windows
guidelines. While HDC would not necessarily be opposed to aluminum
windows on upper floors, we are concerned about the lack of detailing
in the proposed replacements. The sills and moldings are too thick,
while the sashes are too flat and thin. The profile of the window
sash with its ogee curve should be replicated, as should that of
the original brick mold.
What may seem like small changes on one window becomes magnified
when repeated over and over on a façade. The Apthorp’s
fenestration, with over 2,000 windows in over 20 different window
types, several of which are considered “special” windows
by LPC guidelines, is a key element of this Individual Landmark’s
design. HDC urges the commission to modify this application so that
those special design elements are preserved.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
3/4/2008
Item 6
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
083680- Block 189, lot 38-
199 Dean Street - Boerum Hill Historic District
A Greek Revival style house built in 1855. Application is to create
a curb cut.
The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s
designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation.
Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic
districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the
application now before the Commission.
HDC is opposed to creating a curb cut at 199 Dean Street as we
find it unnecessary and a threat to the mature street trees near
by. The plan does not show the proximity of the trees, and we fail
to see how a curb cut here would not interfere with the substantial,
old trees with what are sure to be extensive root systems. Until
further documentation can prove that the trees will not be affected,
we urge the commission to not approve this application.
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