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Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
10/23/2007
Item 2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
082410- Block 2, lot 1-
10 South Street - Individual Landmark Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style ferry terminal constructed in 1909. Application
is to construct a rooftop addition and alter window and door openings.
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 strongly opposed to the construction of what is called a
rooftop addition, but is in actuality another building, atop the
recently restored Battery Maritime Building. The building is not
only an individual landmark, but also an important part, visually
and historically, of the entrance to New York City from the harbor.
This importance was noticed early by the Commission who landmarked
it in May of 1967.
While the present 1950s addition is barely noticeable, there is
no hiding the proposed. It is the same width, and nearly the same
height, as the original ferry building. Its glass construction when
lit, as the night image so artistically shows, will glow like a
space ship. In short its design is over-scaled and insensitive to
the individual landmark. The applicant's attempts to show similar
examples fall short. The Hearst Building, as we all know, was built
as a base for an intended tower, not the case here. The Brooklyn
Museum of Art's entrance is at the ground level affecting only part
of the façade, rather than all views of the building. And
the Tate addition is much smaller compared to the original building,
not of nearly equal height and length.
According to the Guide to New York City Landmarks, the Battery
Maritime Building is the only survivor of the many historic ferry
terminals that once lined the city’s waterfront. The buildings
grand arches and pilasters not only provided space for boats, but
were also designed to create an impressive entrance to Manhattan,
much like railroad station architecture did at the time. The large
addition on top reduces these grand elements and the building’s
overall architectural effect.
After all the wonderful restoration work that has gone into the
Battery Maritime Building, it is a shame to see it smothered by
an inappropriate addition. Is this really any way to treat a landmark?
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 16
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
080509- Block 1211, lot 1-
185 West 80th Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
aka421 Amsterdam Avenue, a Romanesque Revival style flats building
designed by Frederick T. Camp and built in 1887-1888. Application
is to install storefront infill.
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.
Overall, HDC supports this application based on historic photos
for a new storefront at 185 West 80th Street. We would like to recommend
that probing be done beforehand to see what of the original might
exist and to the plan, depending on what is found how to incorporate
it.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 17
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
083598- Block 1212, lot 7501-
101 West 81st Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Romanesque Revival style hotel building designed by Edward L.
Angell and built in 1889-1891. Application is to construct a roofotp
addition.
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.
Visible from most everywhere.
12/18 proposal:Although this building already has a number of blatantly
visible rooftop additions, some grandfathered, others LPC-approved,
HDC cannot support the addition of yet another. Such rooftop additions
should not be allowed to completely engulf 101 West 81st Street,
situated on a prominent corner diagonally across from Theodore Roosevelt
Park. We urge the commission to take the first step towards ending
the increasing clutter by denying this application.
Commissioners voiced concerns over the number of RTs and their
visbility
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 8
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
082618- Block 611, lot 34-
131 7th Avenue South - Greenwich Village Historic District
A commercial building designed by George M. McCabe and built in
1929. Application is to demolish the existing 2-story building and
construct a new 3-story building with penthouse.
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.
Question demolition - has design features including sophisticated
brick work, a designer (George M. McCabe) and a date (1929) for
the Corger Realty Corp.
Proposed "shopping mall archtiecture" with ugly balconies
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
8/7/2007
Item 1
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
078732- Block , lot 52,51-
11-13, 15 Leonard Street - TriBeCa West Historic District
An early 20th century commercial style industrial workshop designed
by Edward Schneider and built in 1921; and an altered industrial
workshop designed by Charles Goldman and built in 1924. Application
is to demolish the existing buildings and to construct a new seven-story
building.
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.
This application brings up the issue of the non-contributing and
no-style label given out in historic district designation reports.
As time progresses from the date of designation and appreciation
of different styles and periods in the city’s history develops,
are such buildings doomed forever to be non-contributing? In the
case of these two early 20th-century structures, their history is
known, including their architects and date of construction. While
small, they are both industrial workshops in an industrial neighborhood,
a district known for its manufacturing history. That they should
not be considered a full part of the district feels short sighted.
Having said that, HDC approves of the proposed building’s
design. The structure is well articulated with a level of appropriate
detail, massing and materials we would like to see in other new
construction and alterations in historic districts. Unlike so many
other proposed buildings, this one understands its surroundings.
We only wish that it could be built somewhere else.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 3
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
083188- Block 214, lot 3-
73 Columbia Heights - Brooklyn Heights Historic District
A Classicized Art-Deco style apartment buiding built in 1938. Application
is to replace 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 application at public review on Friday the 1st did not have
enough information as to what is existing, what is proposed and
what was originally there. We reiterate our views in recent applications
of the importance of window design in rather simple apartment buildings
of the 1920s and 1930s.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 4
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
085111- Block 226, lot 30-
73 Pineapple Street - Brooklyn Heights Historic District
A vacant lot. Application is to construct a new five-story building.
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 was opposed to the proposal for a new building at 73 Pineapple
Street when it was first last year. We find that unfortunately many
of the issues then, continue now. Cornices and windows should line
up with others on the block. Entrance should at least be at grade.
The very visible from Henry rear is not appropriate. The windows,
too large for a town house, should be two instead.
This had been 075208 HDC is opposed to the application for this
new five-story building on Pineapple Street in Brooklyn Heights.
While its height matches that of its neighbors nicely, the design
lacks details that would make it a worthwhile addition to the block.
The result is a bland structure proposed for a district known for
buildings with distinctive details.
The entrance, the only one on the block flush at street level,
does not measure up to others that feature an array of pediments,
columns and sidelights. The windows, smaller than those on neighboring
buildings, also show a lack of detail in their surrounds and divisions
uncharacteristic to the neighborhood. While other buildings feature
different window treatments in their top floors and cornices, the
proposed top is plainly uniform and feels unfinished.
We recommend that the applicant add more articulation to 73 Pineapple
Street so that it may be a true neighbor to the distinctive buildings
in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 5
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
081303- Block 633, lot 37-
145 Perry Street - Greenwich Village Historic District
A two-story building used as a freight loading station since 1938.
Application is to demolish the building and construct a 7-story
plus penthouse building.
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.
ok with demo. New builcing is a bit too tall, aluminum cornice.
Not happy with the basement/first floor restaurant and the odd floral
gates/fence - feels empty,too light. Would rather a real base -
stone, with bulkheads, more vertical uprights.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 6
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
084381- Block 636, lot 43-
398 West Street - Weehawken Street Historic District
A Federal style rowhouse with store built in 1830-1831. Application
is to install new storefront infill and signage.
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.
NO COMMENT
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
1/22/2008
Item 7
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
084285- Block 1420, lot 1-
200 East 66th Street - Individual Landmark Historic District
A modern style apartment and retail complex designed by Mayer &
Whittlesey and Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill, and built between
1947 and 1951. Application is to establish a Master Plan governing
the future installation of storefronts and signage.
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.
Manhattan House has all the makings of a good restoration - clear
historic photos, original plans, and historic fabric. HDC strongly
feels that these elements should all be used to create a Master
Plan for future storefronts and signage restoration, not simply
alterations.
The proposal calls for fixed storefront awnings over the windows,
but not over the doorways, while the historic photos, plans and
the original, existing awning on the drug store clearly show that
retractable awnings should stretch continuously across the building.
The interrupted line of the proposed awnings disrupts the horizontal
reading of the building's base and creates the uneasy appearance
of a smile missing teeth. As proposed the awnings are affixed to
the building within the sign band. Again, from historic documents
and existing conditions we see that the aluminum housing for the
awnings should be placed just below the sign band so as not to intrude
upon another important horizontal design element.
The signage should enhance the historic appearance of this individual
landmark. Lit signage is perfectly appropriate here, but neon and
aluminum channel letters like those on the pharmacy, rather than
the bland, shopping-mall style proposed. Such unique signage would
be eye-catching, elegant and historically accurate.
Finally we would like to see the glazed concrete panels along Second
Avenue retained. These panels were originally recessed and brought
to the level of the rest of the base sometime around 1956. Ideally
this area could be recessed again with glass storefront corners
on either side.
We are extremely lucky to have so much clear documentation and
original fabric on Manhattan House. Anything less than a full restoration
of these storefronts is not fitting for this Individual Landmark.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 9
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
083415- Block 588, lot 1-
84 Bedford Street - Greenwich Village Historic District
A vernacular Greek Revival style rowhouse originally built circa
1826, and altered in 1872 and circa 1900. Application is to alter
the street façade, construct a stoop and enlarge the rooftop
bulkhead.
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 opposes this application. It seems ridiculous to even consider
any alterations including cosmetic such the construction of a stoop
and filling in a horse walk while the building is still in danger.
The damage should be fixed and the charming building appreciated.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 10
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
077943- Block 473, lot 10-
478-482 Broadway - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A neo-Grec style store and loft building designed by Richard Morris
Hunt and built in 1873-1874. Application is to install storefront
infill and signage.
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 many of the changes proposed for . Richard Morris
Hunt. Deserving of an actual restoration, with nice clear historic
photo presented. The blank friezes should be used as sign bands
once again rather than the transoms. Glass canopy not right here.
The proposed looks suburban-shopping mall with central bay of doors,
while the existing has the charm of SoHo-Cast Iron - not original,
but a more hsitoric .
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 11
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
084721- Block 473, lot 14-
484-486 Broadway - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A store and loft building designed by J. Webber & Sons and built
in 1879 and altered in 1911; and a store and loft building with
Romanesque and Moorish style elements designed by Lamb and Rich
and built in 1882-1883. Application is to install storefronts and
alter the fire escape.
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.
As the examples of other storefront sin the neighborhood shows,
awnings are not appropriate in this district. In particular the
white awnings are strinkingly wrong against the red painted brick.
They take away from the robust Romanesque architecture and its grand
arches. We would also like to see the metal paneled areas - called
to attention by the signage placed on them - to be bricked in instead.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 12
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
084916- Block 522, lot 14-
640 Broadway - NoHo Historic District
A Classical Revival style office building designed by DeLemos &
Cordes and built in 1896-1897. Application is to modify a sidewalk
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.
NO COMMENT
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
12/11/2007
Item 13
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
074685- Block 475, lot 33-
60 Grand Street - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A neo-Classical style building designed by Cleverdon and Putzel
and built in 1895-1896. Application is to install a painted wall
sign. (previous application up to 12/11)
Application is to establish a master plan governing the future installation
of painted wall signs. (12/11)
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.
When HDC reviewed applications (later laid over) for a painted
wall sign on 60 Grand Street earlier this year, we found the size,
color and border of the proposed appropriate. Our only suggestion
was that the sign be placed lower to preserve the ghosts of previous
historic signs.
Now the application is to establish a master plan for future installation
of painted wall signs, a much more serious, precedent setting application.
No master plan for painted wall signs exists in New York City, and
HDC has grave concerns about creating any. In doing so the Commission
would give up far too much say, in perpetuity. Over the years, the
Commissioners’ attitudes have developed on painted advertisements,
and we feel it is important to allow these views to continue to
grow to fit with preservation needs of our city’s historic
districts.
Master plans are for multiple items such as windows and storefronts
that cannot necessarily be replaced in practicality all at one time.
A plan ensures that at some point in the future the details of a
building will be united, improving the appearance and integrity
of the landmark. There are many differences between such a plan
and the proposed. A single, painted advertisement does not play
a contributing role to the design of an historic structure. As opposed
to the approval of say a specifically designed window, the proposed
only mentions a rather vague “design layout”. Any image
fitting in the allotted size (which is open to interpretation whether
the border is included or not) could be used, its “accent
color” not specified. Additionally, compared with time and
effort required for individual applications to replace hundreds
of windows or even five storefronts, that involved in reviewing
one wall sign every few years is insignificant.
The creation of a master plan for a painted wall sign would create
a situation where never again could the Commission consider the
appropriateness of modern advertising on this landmark and set a
dangerous precedent where similar plans could be created. We urge
the Commission to reject this application.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
12/18/2007
Item 14
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
081784- Block 1140, lot 54-
108 West 69th Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Renaissance Revival style rowhouse designed by Thom & Wilson
and built in 1885-1886. Application is to construct a rooftop addition.
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.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
1/22/2008
Item 15
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
082673- Block 1213, lot 5-
159 West 82nd Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Queen Anne style rowhouse designed by William Baker and built
in 1885. Application is to legalize façade work performed
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.
NO COMMENT
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
12/18/2007
Item 18
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
083067- Block 1212, lot 7501-
101 West 81st Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Romanesque Revival style hotel building designed by Edward L.
Angell and built in 1889-1891. Application is to construct a rooftop
addition.
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.
Although this building already has a number of blatantly visible
rooftop additions, some grandfathered, others LPC-approved, HDC
cannot support the addition of yet another. Such rooftop additions
should not be allowed to completely engulf 101 West 81st Street,
situated on a prominent corner diagonally across from Theodore Roosevelt
Park. We urge the commission to take the first step towards ending
the increasing clutter by denying this application.
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
2/12/2008
Item 19
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
076042- Block 1718, lot 1-
20 West 120th Street - Mount Morris Park Historic District
A Queen Anne style rowhouse designed by Alfred Zucker in 1886-1887.
Application is to construct a rear yard and rooftop additions.
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.
RYA wipes out the entire back façade which is relatively
untouched. Particularly the top floor whose fenestration and charming
little cornice line up with other rowhouses.
RTA is far too visible. Like the rowhouses on ___ near Fort Greene
Park, any work atop this structure will be visible from the park's
hills. In Fort Greene, the commission , but still does all possible
to reduce (?) same should be done here.
Incredibly beautiful building with a great cornice. (Designation
report?)
Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
10/23/2007
Item 20
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF QUEENS
081615- Block 8035, lot 65-
325 Grosvenor Street - Douglaston Historic District
A vernacular Colonial Revival style house designed by W.J. McKenna
and built in 1923. Application is to demolish an existing garage,
construct a one-story adddition, and construct a new garage.
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.
Over the past three years, this property has been the subject of
a number of public hearings and meetings with proposals to make
additions, modify C of A's granted, and legalize and modify work
done in non-compliance with such certificates. Now another proposal
is before the Commission to construct another addition, demolish
an existing garage and construct a new garage.
Although the proposed addition is only one-story tall, this home
already has recent additions that have turned it from a vernacular
Colonial Revival style house to a cottage on steroids. In the process
of increasing its proportions, the home’s simple details have
become lost, leaving a rather banal façade. Yet another addition
will only make it worse. Also, the proposed flat roof seems to call
out for a second floor addition to the addition, something we hope
will not be part of the house’s creeping, segmental growth.
The proposed location for a new garage would require the elimination
of a grove of trees, an important piece of the neighborhood. With
the ever-expanding home, this section of the property is getting
a bit crowded – the original garage’s location seems
a better fit. No photos or drawings of this original garage were
presented, and we question the need to demolish this structure which
is contemporary to the house.
This home should not have been allowed to get this big in the first
place, and further additions must not be permitted. We urge the
commission to reject this proposal and preserve the scale of this
home and this historic district.
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