December 11, 2007
Statement of the Historic Districts Council before the
Landmarks Preservation Commission
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing
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 following applications that were before the Commission.
Hearing Date: 12/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 078741
Brooklyn, Block: 43, Lot: 25
70 Hudson Avenue - Vinegar Hill Historic District
A Greek Revival style rowhouse built circa 1828-1841. Application
is to modify the storefront, construct rooftop and rear yard additions.
HDC Testimony
HDC approves of the proposed modifications to the storefront,
returning it closer to its historic appearance. The roof top addition
on this corner building however is too visible. It is rather large
and tall for something that is just a bulkhead, and we would like
to see it reduced. We would also like to recommend that it be
made the same color as the building, instead of white as presented
that gives a detached feel.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 074685
Manhattan, 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 establish a master plan governing the future
installation of painted wall signs.
HDC Testimony
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.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 078627
Manhattan, Block: 483, Lot: 4
496 Broadway - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
An Italianate style store and loft building built in 1866. Application
is to install new storefront infill. (oh, and a banner, day of)
HDC Testimony
HDC compliments the applicant on a fine design for new storefront
infill. It has all the design detail we look for in an historic
storefront of this period. HDC supports this application that
will be an improvement to 496 Broadway and an excellent addition
to the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.
This is the first we have heard about a proposal for a banner.
In general, HDC opposes such banners in this district, as has
this Commission.
LPC Determination: Approved w/mods
Hearing Date: 12/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 082450
Manhattan, Block: 1124, Lot: 42
12 West 72nd Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A neo-Renaissance style apartment building designed by Emery Roth
and built in 1926-1927. Application is to establish a master plan
governing the future installation of windows.
HDC Testimony
HDC feels that a master plan governing the future installation
of windows on the Oliver Cromwell should work towards the restoration
of the original multi-light casement window design. In recent
years the Commission has placed greater emphasis on the importance
of windows and their place in the original design of landmarked
buildings. We urge the commission to extend this thoughtfulness
to this building.
Emery Roth’s Oliver Cromwell holds a special place in
the architectural development of the Upper West Side. When it
was finished in 1927, the elegant structure was the first skyscraper
in the neighborhood to rise well above the 12 or 15 stories of
apartment buildings typical at that time. Its construction and
that of Roth’s Beverly Hotel led the American Business Magazine
in 1927 to write, “Mr. Roth should be congratulated upon
his work which has made an enviable reputation for him . . . some
of the finest buildings in this huge city are the work of his
mind and hand.”
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 083443
Queens, Block: 8093, Lot: 21
236-24 38th Road - Douglaston Historic District
A ranch style house built in 1963, and enlarged and remodeled
in 2005. Application is to legalize the installation of entrance
path and steps without LPC permits.
HDC Testimony
While the layout of the house with a double garage in the front
doesn't leave much room for anything but paving, the existing
looks rather like a parking lot. Anything that can be done to
alleviate this problem should be done. HDC requests that the applicant
narrow both the drive way and the entry path to include plantings
between the two spaces. The entry path should also be sloped as
originally approved, not stepped, creating a simpler entrance
more appropriate to this building and historic district. We would
also like to see the garage doors installed as approved with window
lights and dark paint.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 083855
Manhattan, Block: 743, Lot: 80
360 West 20th Street - Chelsea Historic District
An Italianate style rowhouse built in 1860. Application is to
alter window openings.
HDC Testimony
So few mid-19th century rowhouses retain their historic rear fenestration
– HDC urges the retention of this feature even if the materials
are not original. We feel the proposed design features too much
glazing. We also question, as we have on other applications, how
the removal of parts of the wall will affect the buildings structural
integrity in the years to come as these buildings were not designed
to have such a large opening near the base.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 12/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080955
Manhattan, Block: 1386, Lot: 1
900 Fifth Avenue - Upper East Side Historic District
A modern style apartment building designed by Sylvan Bien and
built in 1958. Application is to reclad the building's base.
HDC Testimony
HDC objects to extending the base of this building to include
the second floor and to reclading both floors in a material with
a finish different from the original. The original design by Sylvan
Bien calls for a granite floor of polished granite. We assume
the matte finish proposed was chosen to match the matte bricks
approved at staff level to replace the original glazed, a decision
which we question the appropriateness of. We do not feel that
this alteration should be used as the example with which other
work should harmonize. If anything, the use of matte materials
above makes the polished base, in its original configuration,
more important as a reminder of the smooth, clean design that
once graced the entire building. A modern building such as this,
facing its 50th anniversary, is an important piece of the Upper
East Side Historic District testifying to the mid-century construction
of luxury apartments along the Avenue. Its historic design does
not need to be improved upon and should be preserved like that
of any other landmarked building.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
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