| September 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 these applications that were before the Commission.
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 075105
Manhattan, Block: 1505, Lot: 66
4-8 East 94th Street - Carnegie Hill Historic District
A rowhouse originally built in 1890 and converted to a modern style
office building in 1963-65, and two rowhouses built in 1890 and
combined and redesigned in the neo Classical style in 1936 by George
Prentiss Butler, jr. Application is to alter the facades and construct
rooftop and rear yard additions
HDC Testimony
There was much discussion over this proposal, and HDC has decided
to neither support nor object to the rooftop addition. While the
removal of the upper floors on 8 East 94th Street would be laudable,
we hate to see the breaking of the limited height restriction, for
which the neighborhood fought so hard, by the proposed rooftop addition.
The breaking of this restriction and the totally redesigned roofline
carry with them serious issues of precedent. While the proposed
alterations certainly clean up the rather heavily redesigned facades,
we were uncomfortable with the loss of delineation between the structures.
The blurring of the two buildings is reinforced by the continuous
rooftop addition.
One thing the Public Review committee did agree on is the importance
of restoring 4 East 94th Street’s recessed entrance. It is
good to see the restoration of the portico with the removal of the
street wall doors, but we feel the other elements, most importantly
the round windows, should be retained as a distinctive elements
to the street level experience of this building. The design of the
doors on either side of these windows, one the main entrance, the
other a service entrance, is also important pieces of this building’s
history. Keeping in mind there is an application for a 74-711, and
that very significant alterations are being proposed, we feel that
as much original design should be restored and preserved as possible,
including this distinctive entrance.
LPC Determination: Approved w/mods
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080289
Manhattan, Block: 1198, Lot: 36
249 Central Park West - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Queen Anne style rowhouse designed by Edward L. Angell and built
in 1887-1888. Application is to construct rear yard and rooftop
additions, and create a curb cut.
HDC Testimony
This building has suffered both at the hands of neglect and inappropriate
alterations over the decades. It has sadly lost both its ornament
and its garden. The proposed alterations do not harm the building
further and we do not object to much of the plan. The rooftop addition
is not readily visible from the street, but, because of the slope
of the land, it is visible from Central Park across the street.
In order to help mask the addition and return some of the Queen
Anne detailing to this home, HDC would like to see copper cresting
installed on the original roof. We are also opposed to the curb
cut, as it is not typical of this area.
LPC Determination: Mixed - see notes
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 078825
Manhattan, Block: 1141, Lot: 15
143 West 69th Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Renaissance Revival style flats building designed by James Edward
Ware and built in 1895. Application to alter the façade and
areaway and install a storefront.
HDC Testimony
While HDC does not object to adding retail space to the basement
here at 143 West 69th Street, we are concerned about the appearance
of the proposed storefronts. The design and materials have no relevance
to any other part of the structure. The amount of glazing is particularly
troublesome, visually removing the base to this strong, Renaissance
Revival style flats building. HDC urges that a new storefront be
designed that acts as a proper foundation and relates to the floors
above.
In addition, while the new areaway wall does offer more transparency
than the present corrugated aluminum wall, it is not appropriate
for a late 19th-century structure. A metal fence could provide the
same visibility in a more appropriate manner.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/18/2007
LPC Docket Number: 074846
Staten Island, Block: 585, Lot: 54
400 St. Paul's Avenue - Stapelton Heights Historic District
An Arts & Crafts style house designed by Otto Loeffler and built
in 1908-1909. Application is to replace the roof.
HDC Testimony
The complex gabled roofline is a distinctive design element of this
Arts & Crafts style home, and, as such, HDC recommends real
slate be used to replace the same material on the roof. If the commission
wishes to approve faux slate, we urge that it be not the brand proposed,
but the more authentic-looking type which has been approved by the
commission on other proposals within the last year.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/18/2007
LPC Docket Number: 081430
Brooklyn, Block: 1977, Lot: 10
473 Clinton Avenue - Clinton Hill Historic District
A neo-Grec style rowhouse, designed by John Mumford and built in
1878. Application is to modify a rooftop addition constructed without
LPC permits, alter the front façade.
HDC Testimony
It is difficult for HDC to comment on modifications to the rooftop
addition as there were no site lines or mention of materials at
Public Review. There were also discrepancies between what was presented
as existing in November and what is said to exist now. We prefer
the single dormer window in the rooftop addition which was listed
as proposed in November and presently as existing, as it matches
its neighbor and is more fitting than the now proposed row of windows
which looks more like a 1920s alteration fitting of Greenwich Village.
As for the front façade, there were no historic photographs
or any mention again of materials. HDC feels the proportions of
the twin, 1-over-1 windows presently on the second and third floors
are better than a single, larger 1-over-1 as proposed. On the rear
façade, we question the doors on the second and third floors
leading seemingly to nowhere. Are balconies planned? If so the balcony
design should be presented at the same time the doors are considered.
We also recommend a dark-painted trim on all the windows which
would be far more historically appropriate than the white trim presently
there.
The Historic District Designation Report for Clinton Hill goes
to considerable length describing 469-473 Clinton Avenue. The three
were built together in 1878, sharing a unique common porch with
473 and 469 designed as mirrored bookends to 471. This carefully
planned balance should be preserved with an appropriately sized
and designed rooftop addition (or none at all) and correctly proportioned
windows.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 071657
Manhattan, Block: 514, Lot: 33
121 Greene Street - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A warehouse designed by Henry Fernbach and built in 1883. Application
is to construct a rooftop addition.
HDC Testimony
The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic Districts Designation Report calls 121
Greene Street "visually the most ornate building on the block."
Its impressive cornice, a trademark of its architect, Henry Fernbach,
draws the eye to the top of the building. In the proposal, it unfortunately
draws the eye up to a rather visible rooftop addition, one that,
as it is completely made of glass, will light up at night like a
lantern. HDC urges the design of a less visible rooftop addition
that will allow the distinctive cornice and the rest of the building
to shine instead.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 081310
Manhattan, Block: 430, Lot: 10
29-41 Avenue A, First Houses - Individual Landmark
A public housing project consisting of eight buildings arranged
around a landscaped courtyard, designed by Frederick L. Ackerman
and built in 1935-1936. Application is to establish a master plan
governing the future installation of storefront infill and signage.
HDC Testimony
While the proposed storefront infill and signage is nice enough,
HDC feels this important Individual Landmark deserves a plan that
is historically based. As the first public housing to be built in
the nation, the First Houses were the focus of much coverage at
the time of their opening (First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt attended
the opening ceremonies) and have been the topic of much study in
the decades since. Surely more detailed photos than the grainy tax
photo presented, possibly even original drawings, exist to guide
a master plan for storefront infill. HDC cannot stress enough the
significance of this site to the history of housing and New York
City, and we urge that a historically appropriate master plan be
designed.
LPC Determination: Approved w/mods
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080522
Manhattan, Block: 825, Lot: 31
200 Fifth Avenue - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style store and office building designed by Maynicke
and Franke and built in 1908-1909. Application is to construct a
rooftop and rear yard additions, install entry doors and new storefront
infill.
HDC Testimony
HDC has no objections to the proposed additions or new storefront
infill, but we do feel very strongly that the proposal to install
new entry doors detracts from 200 Fifth Avenue. The original design
was for a galleria open to the public with tall, arched ceilings
that stretched through the building. Cast iron folding gates, still
intact, acted as security when the building was closed, a plan similar
to those still used on other buildings throughout the city. Later
in the 20th century bronze and glass doors filled in some of this
space, but left an airy feel. The black-painted aluminum banding
of the proposed doors is very thick and presents a less elegant
alternative. While we understand the building’s concerns for
security, the present 24th Street opening with only a recessed door
provides a practical and elegant solution. It allows for approximately
25 feet of the arched arcade to be seen, preserving part of the
building’s original street level experience. 200 Fifth Avenue,
with its prominent location at the intersection of Fifth and Broadway,
is an elegant, impressive part of the Madison Square Park area,
and its entryways should be preserved to highlight this.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 072371
Manhattan, Block: 822, Lot: 58
30 West 21st Street - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style and loft building designed by Buchman &
Fox and built in 1907. Application is to install storefront infill,
create new window openings, construct a rooftop addition, and a
new building.
HDC Testimony
The storefront infill proposed is quite nice in its detailing, especially
the rustication around the doorways, and the new building will add
to the streetscape. HDC approves of both these aspects of the proposal,
but we feel the 2-story rooftop addition is far too large. While
photos failed to capture the mock up, both floors are visible in
person and will certainly be more so when the solid walls are built.
HDC recommends approval of the other items and a site visit by commissioners
to further study the impacts of the proposed rooftop addition.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 075075
Manhattan, Block: 823, Lot: 55
20 West 22nd Street - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style store and loft building designed by Louis
Korn and built in 1911. Application is to install new storefront
infill.
HDC Testimony
Although good work is being done on this proposed new storefront,
HDC recommends keeping the historic detail and fabric including
the metal hoods, spandrel glass and divisions in the shop windows.
We also feel the proposed lighting is inappropriate and are opposed
to the installation of flagpoles into historic masonry.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080326
Manhattan, Block: 860, Lot: 16
120 Madison Avenue, Colony Club - Individual Landmark
A Federal Eclectic style building designed by Stanford White and
built in 1905. Application is to install signage.
HDC Testimony
HDC approves of the sign's design and size but feels the proposed
placement is not the best. Typically such a sign would be by the
entrance door or at the end of the building. We recommend placing
the two signs presently flanking the entrance, both to the left
and the new sign to the right. Otherwise, the sign’s addition
disturbs the rhythm of the elegant facade created by the slender
pilasters and evenly spaced bays. We also feel illumination for
the sign on such a well-lit avenue is not necessary.
LPC Determination: Approved w/mods
Hearing Date: 9/11/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080258
Manhattan, Block: 620, Lot: 47
68-70 Lexington Avenue - Individual Landmark Historic District
A Beaux Arts Military style armory building designed by Hunt &
Hunt in 1902-1904. Application is to modify stair and side entrance.
HDC Testimony
The 69th Regiment Armory is important not just for "The Fighting
69th" and their distinguished service in Civil War and both
World Wars, but also for being the first display venue of Marcel
Duchamp's ground breaking "Nude Descending a Staircase, No.
2" in 1913. Beyond this historic and cultural importance, the
building’s architecture, very strong Beaux Arts Military,
makes it worthy of its individual landmark status.
HDC is pleased to see the reopening of the side entrance and approves
of the removal of the steps in order for it to become ADA compliant.
We do though have concerns over the removal of the lancet window,
a part of a series reminiscent of medieval fortresses. These windows
are so much a part of the design of this armory and the primary
ornament on this side of the building. There is already an elevator
on the 26th Street side, and we question the need for another at
the expense of historic fabric. Although LPC does not regulate such
matters, HDC does wish to voice our concern for yet another elevator
interrupting the open drill hall space.
While the proposed alterations may appear minor, they have a large
impact on this building that possesses all three of the LPC’s
credentials for landmarking. Any proposal for changes should be
taken with the up most care and consideration.
LPC Determination: Approved
Return to Testimony Archives
|
