September 25, 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: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080445
Manhattan, Block: 573, Lot: 5
432 6th Avenue - Greenwich Village Historic District
A rowhouse built in the 19th century and altered in 1920. Application
is to replace storefront infill and install signage.
HDC Testimony
The proposed storefront is certainly nicer than the 1990s storefront
that presently exists. However, there are details that should
be adjusted and more research to be done to ensure that this is
truly the most appropriate storefront for this building.
As we have often stated on other proposals, HDC would like to
see historic photos, at the very least a tax photo, included in
this proposal. Such documentation does not have to lead to exact
replication, but can guide a design that is fitting to the individual
building. Based on basic symmetry and other buildings of this
period, we would like to see the mullions of the store windows
align with those on the second floor and the entry doors and their
transoms designed with more detailing rather than just a sheet
of glass. Also, we do not approve of the pin signage on the brick.
The Greenwich Village Historic Designation Report describes a
ground floor that was remodeled in the 1920s with terra cotta,
round arched windows and “on each side, an entrance signalized
by high panels above and diminutive balconied niches crowned by
fleurs de lys.” It goes on to explain, “The second
floor has French doors with wrought iron balcony and the two central
third floor windows interestingly combine under a terra cotta
fret with side pieces.” This façade is obviously
gone now despite landmarking, and the present, rather generic
storefront was deemed clean and streamlined and approved by the
Commission in the 1990s . Let us make sure that the proper documentation
is done and a design appropriate to this building and district
is created so that 10 years from now yet another new storefront
does not need to be proposed.
LPC Determination: Approved w/mods
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 079180
Manhattan, Block: 230, Lot: 25
36 Greene Street - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
aka 89 Grand Street a commercial building designed by William
Hume and built in 1877. Application is to construct a rooftop
bulkhead.
HDC Testimony
HDC is opposed to this extremely visible rooftop bulkhead; we
were rather surprised that anything this visible would even be
proposed. The distinctive cornices of 36 Greene Street and its
neighbor on Grand Street draw the eye up, only to end, in this
proposal, with a view of an ugly box. The elevator does not need
to run to the roof; it could run to the top floor and then existing
stairs be used for access to the roof. Otherwise, the interior
should be reconfigured to push the bulkhead away from the edge
of the roof. We do not normally oppose rooftop bulkheads in districts
like SoHo-Cast Iron where they are typical part of roofscapes.
This boxy bulkhead built right on the edge of the roof, though,
is far too visible from the street and detracts from the building
and others near by.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 081080
Manhattan, Block: 474, Lot: 30
483 Broadway - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A Classical style store and loft building designed by Robert Mook
and built in 1869-1870. Application is to install storefront infill.
HDC Testimony
HDC compliments the applicant on this fine proposal for new storefront
infill. However, the boards do indicate vault lights will be covered
with diamond plate, an unfortunate decision as these distinctive
touches are part of the character of the SoHo-Cast Iron District.
We urge the commission and the applicant to include the restoration
of the vault lights in this plan.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 081402
Manhattan, Block: 500, Lot: 22
113 Greene Street - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A commercial building designed by Henry Fernbach and built in
1882-1883. Application is to replace sidewalk vault lights.
HDC Testimony
HDC compliments the applicant for salvaging the granite sidewalk
and restoring the steps with vault lights at 113 Greene Street.
However, we feel that vault lights, a special design detail characteristic
of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District, should always be retained
or, at least, replaced in kind. The vault lights in the photos
presented do not appear to be in such terrible condition and seem
to have relatively little loss. We urge the commission to require
that the vault lights be repaired and replaced in kind where necessary.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 074613
Manhattan, Block: 1270, Lot: 29
7 West 54th Street - Individual Landmark Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style townhouse built in 1899-1900 designed by John
H. Duncan. Application is to construct a rear yard addition.
HDC Testimony
While not visible from the street, this is a rear façade
with special features, protected most recently by the LPC in 2001
when removal of the leaded glass windows was denied. We understand
that the commission is less strict about new designs on rear façades
not visible from the public way, but that does not mean the historic
structure should be ignored. We feel strongly that compatible
design and new interpretations of historic styles should be encouraged
instead of a free-for-all. HDC urges that an upper addition with
less glazing and more references to the original addition be designed.
LPC Determination: Approved w/mods
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 081679
Manhattan, Block: 1391, Lot: 31
65 East 76th Street - Upper East Side Historic District
A modern style apartment building designed by H.I. Feldman and
built in 1948-1949. Application is to install through-the-wall
air conditioner units.
HDC Testimony
HDC is opposed to this proposal to install through-the-wall air
conditioners. Too many units, more than a dozen, are proposed
for the limestone area around the entrance, the focus of the building.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 079259
Manhattan, Block: 1500, Lot: 1
1071 Fifth Avenue - Individual Landmark Historic District
A Modern style museum building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
and built in 1956-1959. Application is to repaint the façade.
HDC Testimony
HDC is opposed to painting the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum any
color other than the original. When it comes to an individual
landmark of such architectural significance what other choice
is there? The building’s color should be driven by Frank
Lloyd Wright’s original design and not the 1990’s
addition. A greater contrast in color would clarify that the addition
is not part of the original construction, and would allow the
world-renowned landmark to stand out on its own.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 081652
Manhattan, Block: 1392, Lot: 66
6 East 78th Street - Metropolitan Museum Historic District
A townhouse originally designed by Alfred Zucker and built in
1887-1889 and redesigned in the French neo-Classical style by
John Duncan in 1913-1914. The application is to construct a rear
yard addition and to alter existing rear yard and rooftop additions.
HDC Testimony
While it is nice that the applicant is simplifying the current
mish-mash of alterations and extensions, HDC is sad to see yet
another application for an overtly modern, heavily glazed rear
façade alteration. We understand that the commission is
less strict about new designs on rear façades not visible
from the public way, but that does not mean the historic structure
should be ignored. We would like to reiterate our belief that
compatible design and new interpretations of historic styles should
be encouraged instead of a free-for-all. In addition to the design,
HDC questions the legality of the two-story screen of bricks left
when the upper floors of the west wall and the roof are removed.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 077686
Brooklyn, Block: 260, Lot: 57
314 Hicks Street - Brooklyn Heights Historic District
An empty lot. Applciation is to construct a new four-story buidling
and create a curb cut.
HDC Testimony
HDC approves of the basics of this proposal for a new building,
but there are details in the design that need revision before
the plan can be deemed appropriate. On the first floor, we find
the inset panels beneath the windows unnecessary. The windows
on the top three floors feel rather squat, an issue which could
be remedied by removing the proposed shutters and extending the
length of the windows a bit. We feel the proposed mahogany or
Spanish cedar is not appropriate for the cornice. Also, this design
element should cross the full width of the front façade
– as proposed now, the cornice leaves too much space on
either end. Finally, we have concerns about the five air conditioning
units to be placed along the rear of the lot, right next to the
neighbor's garden.
It is good to see a proposal for new construction that clearly
understands its surroundings and expresses this in materials,
massing and design. With readjustments to the few details mentioned,
HDC supports this application.
LPC Determination: Approved w/mods
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080298
Brooklyn, Block: 2105, Lot: 34
248 Dekalb Avenue - Fort Greene Historic District
aka 264-270 Vanderbilt Avenue, an Italianate style rowhouse built
circa 1868. Applciaiton is to install a painted mural.
HDC Testimony
A painted mural is very much like a painted wall sign in an historic
district and should be treated as such. In this case, the proposed
design is inappropriate for its multi-colors and placement so
close to the ground. There is also no historic precedent for such
murals in this residential neighborhood. As nice a gesture to
the community as this proposed mural may be, it is simply not
appropriate for an historic district.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 9/25/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080259
Manhattan, Block: 1203, Lot: 31
293 Central Park West - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Renaissance Revival style flats building designed by Neville
& Bagge and built in 1895-1896. Application is to install
an awning and railing. (LPC calendar incorrect - to legalize railing)
HDC Testimony
More creative, appropriate designs for the railing and awning
should be created for this Renaissance Revival flats building.
The awning should not use industrial-looking chrome, but a darker,
more matte metal to compliment the rest of the building. And any
awning should not be bolted into the masonry as proposed. We are
also opposed to legalizing the existing railing. A bolder, more
detailed railing would be more appropriate for this structure.
293 Central Park West, sited on one of the major avenues of the
Upper West Side, could be and should be an important, elegant
addition to the historic district. While we are glad that the
owner seems to be looking to spruce up this property, we feel
staff should direct the applicant towards more worthwhile projects
that will address the building's preservation and restoration.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
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