Hearing Date: 5/13/2008
LPC Docket Number: 087083
Manhattan, Block: 820, Lot: 1
620 6th Avenue - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style department store building designed by DeLemos and Cordes, and built in 1895-1897. Application is to construct a rooftop addition and a sixteen-story building on West 19th Street.

HDC Testimony
In general, the proposed rooftop addition is an improvement over the one previously approved. HDC is concerned with two details of this part of the proposal though. In the photos presented looking north from 17th Street through an empty lot, the addition is visible. While a rather minor view, the prior design is more appropriate in the way the bays line up with those of the Siegel-Cooper building. We would like to see a similar understanding in design incorporated in the new rooftop addition. We also note that a small part of the addition and the penthouse of the new building will encase on two sides the chimney stack disguised as a Tuscan bell tower. This tower is one of Siegel-Cooper’s eclectic Beaux Arts touches whose views should be preserved.

As for the new building, HDC is pleased to see a proposal that does not seek to compete or out do its surroundings. The design is trying so hard to be understated, though, that it is too simple to be elegant and winds up rather plain. The new building could use more articulation as seen in neighboring buildings and a palat of more than just dull grey paint. The one attempt at detail - the wave canopy – is not consistent with the block or the district. HDC also feels that the upper three stories of this building are too much as they make the new structure taller than the Seigel-Cooper, visible on the side streets, and, as mentioned, blocks the view of the decorative chimney.

Siegel-Cooper is a highlight of the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. Of the proposals to come before the LPC for this special building over the past two decades, this one is the closest to being appropriate. With a few alterations to the fenestration, the rooftop addition will be acceptable, as would the new building with a reduction in height and some further articulation. HDC urges the applicant to work further with the staff on these issues.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 5/13/2008
LPC Docket Number: 086196
Manhattan, Block: 997, Lot: 19
123 West 44th Street - Individual Landmark Historic District
An apartment hotel designed in a combination of Romanesque, German Gothic and Renaissance styles by George Keister, built in 1893 and altered in 1917-1920. Applcation is to install storefront infill and a canopy.

HDC Testimony
George Kiester was the architect for a number of notable theaters, and his design for the Hotel Gerard was certainly lively, even theatrical. This application does not take any cues from the original, flamboyant design of the building and instead proposes storefronts that are little more than panes of glass with plain, flat aluminum framing. Similarly, the lights, railings, signage and canopy are overly sleek and have no relation to the building’s style.

HDC finds this to be an incomplete submission. There surely must be better documentation at Department of Buildings or elsewhere for the Hotel Gerard. In fact, there is an historic image in the designation report that more clearly illustrates the storefronts. This illustration and others should be part of the proposal and the basis for any alterations. In addition to further research on earlier storefronts, we recommend probing beneath the present signage to see what may still exist.

Proposals for work on a designated building should use historic fabric and documentation to reinforce the landmarked architecture, not compete with it. HDC is opposed to this application that imposes a style of architecture completely at odds with the distinctive design of the Hotel Gerard and takes this individual landmark in the wrong direction.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 5/13/2008
LPC Docket Number: 087056
Manhattan, Block: 1266, Lot: 1
1270 Avenue of the Americas - Individual Landmark Historic District
An Art Deco style theater and office building built as part of a commercial and entertainment complex designed by the Associeate Architects in 193133. Application is to install a new entrance infill and signage.

HDC Testimony
HDC is opposed to this application as it proposes to turn the entrance of the RKO Building and concourse, the northwest anchor of Rockefeller Center, into that of a generic office tower.

Although there have been alterations to the flanking storefronts, the main part of the entrance remains essentially the same as the original design and plan. As with the rest of the Center, the approach and entrance to this building were very carefully planned so that the visitor would know they are entering a special space. The deep recess of the entrance is essential as it provides a transition between Sixth Avenue and the interior. Visually, it allows the flanking piers that stretch up the building to stand out at the base and reinforces the strength and legibility of the impressive friezes above. The existing sign band, characteristic of the style of others in Rockefeller Center, is sufficient for identifying this building and is a better balance with the friezes than the proposed transom window with oversized numbers. We do not see a reason to change the present configuration of revolving doors flanking a pair of swing doors to the reverse and feel they should be left as is.

Finally, HDC questions why no original elevation drawings were submitted with this proposal. There were original plans, and certainly the elevation drawings or other photos before 1950 exist of this important landmark. This documentation should be included to fully understand the entrance and to properly judge any alterations proposed.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

Hearing Date: 5/13/2008
LPC Docket Number: 086427
Manhattan, Block: 1496, Lot: 9
9 East 84th Street - Metropolitan Museum Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style residence designed by Warrne & Wetmore and built in 1902-03. Application is to alter the rear façade, excavate the rear yard and construct a rooftop bulkhead.

HDC Testimony
While HDC applauds the applicant for the fine restoration work going into the front of this building, we are not as positive about the work proposed in the rear. The proposed rear façade is far too glassy, looking more like a department store or a missing piece of a mid-town, modern office building than the rear façade of a residence. We also question the desire to remove the existing extension of the building, an historic piece of the structure matching its sister building, 11 East 84th Street.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

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