April 19, 2011

Written by on Apr 18, 2011

Item 7
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
116820- Block 1117, lot 1-
Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza – Scenic Landmark
A formal space with primarily naturalistic style park designed in 1865 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Application is to alter sidewalks and traffic islands.

In general this proposal and the one to relocate sculptures appear to be appropriate steps towards making Grand Army Plaza a fitting entrace to one of the city’s most impressive and historic parks.  HDC is however concerned about some of the materials – both those being lost such as granite curbs and those being used like epoxy resin.  Every effort should be made to retain quality materials and use compatible new ones that are worthy of being components of Frederick Law Olmsted, Calvert Vaux, and Standford White’s masterpiece.

LPC determination:  approved

Item 13
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
110965- Block 181, lot 14-
187 Franklin Street – TriBeCa West Historic District
A three-story building built in 1993. Application is to construct an addition and a new façade.

new building

This application is more than just to construct an addition and alter the façade; it is, in effect, an application for a new building.  As with other proposals of this type, the new structure’s fit within the context of the historic block in particular and the historic district overall needs to be carefully considered.

HDC appreciates the use of brick and the level of craftsmanship required in order to create what is featured in the proposal.  It is certainly more appropriate from the material perspective than many new buildings and additions we see with an overwhelming amount of glass and metal.  If brick is the primary feature that is tying the new structure into its historic surrounding though, material samples are needed.  It is good to see that the commission has samples now as there were none at Public Review on Friday.

A building is more than just its materials however, and HDC finds that the design, while interesting, is not the best fit for this location.   The building seems to just dissolve at the roof, rather than finishing off strongly like other TriBeCa buildings of varying eras do.  The lack of a regular fenestration pattern drastically sets this façade off from its neighbors as does its very irregular, asymmetrical profile.  Even at their most undulating, ornamented whimsy, TriBeCa’s buildings have a symmetry and order that make them contextual.  The proposed takes an infill building that quietly respects its neighbors and turns it into a building screaming out for attention.

LPC determination:  approved

Item 15
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
116891- Block 177, lot 24-
111 Franklin Street – TriBeCa East Historic District
An Italianate/neo-Grec style masonry store and loft building designed by Benjamin W. Warner and built in 1868. Application is to install two flagpoles.

HDC does not find the proposed flagpoles or banners  to be appropriate additions to this 1868 store and loft building on narrow Franklin Street.  The subtle incised ornament, a key feature of the neo-Grec style, would be obscured and its proportions altered by the proposed.  Other forms of signage, such as blade signs or restoring the storefront and thus creating space for new signage, should be explored instead.

LPC determination:  no action

Item 24
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
117583- Block n/a, lot n/a-
West 4th Street at Jane Street and 8th Avenue – Greenwich Village Historic District
An irregular grid laid out c. 1790. Application is to extend the curb line and install plantings, paving and seating.

triangle

While we are not against the basic idea of this proposal, HDC feels that steps should be taken to maintain the historic urban character of this street triangle.  First off, instead of an amorphic form, it should be in the shape of a triangle which is what is created when streets on an irregular grid, like this one laid out c.1790, intersect.  The form is a typical, almost comforting one found throughout this city, creating iconic spots from the smallest seating areas to the Flatiron Building.  To highlight this shape and reinforce the street pattern, trees should be planted along the sidewalk edge like typical street tress instead of in some unbalanced massing.  Finally, rather than just an outline where the street once was, more traditional paving such as cobblestone over this area would call out this historic feature better.

LPC determination:  approved

Item 27
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
117279- Block 643, lot 38-
803-807 Washington Street – Gansevoort Market Historic District
Three Greek revival style rowhouses, built circa 1841 and later altered in 1922 by Charles H. Briggs. Application is to install storefront infill and signage.

The ground floor at 803-807 Washington Street is different from many new storefronts in this district that are created out of old loading docks.  These buildings have historically had storefronts and more effort in design and materials should be put towards expressing this.  Among changes that should be considered are a higher bulkhead and more appropriate lighting that does not include a readily visible conduit.

LPC determination:  no action

Item 29
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
115458- Block 698, lot 18-
525 West 26th Street – West Chelsea Historic District
A vernacular style factory building designed by Paul C. Hunter and built in 1904-05. Application is to alter the façade and install a barrier-free access ramp.

While this proposal certainly points 525 West 26th Street back in the right direction, HDC does have some concerns regarding the materials chosen such as spandrel glass and stainless steel.  The shiny, smooth materials are too slick for a vernacular style factory building, and other, more historic ones should be investigated instead.

LPC determination:  approved with modifications

Item 35
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
114502- Block 1378, lot 58-
26 East 64th Street – Upper East Side Historic District
A Queen Anne style rowhouse designed by Theodore Weston and built in 1881-82 and altered c. 1940. Application is to reconstruct the stoop and alter the areaway and entrances.

While the proposed stoop is a bit different from the historic one, it is certainly an improvement over the existing condition and is a good compromise that will allow for the inclusion of compatible ADA access and commercial use.  With the impressive restoration work happening above, the improved 26 East 64th Street will be a significant contributor to the block and historic district.

LPC determination:  approved

Posted Under: HDC@LPC

April 19, 2011

Written by on Apr 18, 2011

Item 7
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
116820- Block 1117, lot 1-
Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza – Scenic Landmark
A formal space with primarily naturalistic style park designed in 1865 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Application is to alter sidewalks and traffic islands.

In general this proposal and the one to relocate sculptures appear to be appropriate steps towards making Grand Army Plaza a fitting entrace to one of the city’s most impressive and historic parks.  HDC is however concerned about some of the materials – both those being lost such as granite curbs and those being used like epoxy resin.  Every effort should be made to retain quality materials and use compatible new ones that are worthy of being components of Frederick Law Olmsted, Calvert Vaux, and Standford White’s masterpiece.

LPC determination:  approved

Item 13
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
110965- Block 181, lot 14-
187 Franklin Street – TriBeCa West Historic District
A three-story building built in 1993. Application is to construct an addition and a new façade.

new building

This application is more than just to construct an addition and alter the façade; it is, in effect, an application for a new building.  As with other proposals of this type, the new structure’s fit within the context of the historic block in particular and the historic district overall needs to be carefully considered.

HDC appreciates the use of brick and the level of craftsmanship required in order to create what is featured in the proposal.  It is certainly more appropriate from the material perspective than many new buildings and additions we see with an overwhelming amount of glass and metal.  If brick is the primary feature that is tying the new structure into its historic surrounding though, material samples are needed.  It is good to see that the commission has samples now as there were none at Public Review on Friday.

A building is more than just its materials however, and HDC finds that the design, while interesting, is not the best fit for this location.   The building seems to just dissolve at the roof, rather than finishing off strongly like other TriBeCa buildings of varying eras do.  The lack of a regular fenestration pattern drastically sets this façade off from its neighbors as does its very irregular, asymmetrical profile.  Even at their most undulating, ornamented whimsy, TriBeCa’s buildings have a symmetry and order that make them contextual.  The proposed takes an infill building that quietly respects its neighbors and turns it into a building screaming out for attention.

LPC determination:  approved

Item 15
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
116891- Block 177, lot 24-
111 Franklin Street – TriBeCa East Historic District
An Italianate/neo-Grec style masonry store and loft building designed by Benjamin W. Warner and built in 1868. Application is to install two flagpoles.

HDC does not find the proposed flagpoles or banners  to be appropriate additions to this 1868 store and loft building on narrow Franklin Street.  The subtle incised ornament, a key feature of the neo-Grec style, would be obscured and its proportions altered by the proposed.  Other forms of signage, such as blade signs or restoring the storefront and thus creating space for new signage, should be explored instead.

LPC determination:  no action

Item 24
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
117583- Block n/a, lot n/a-
West 4th Street at Jane Street and 8th Avenue – Greenwich Village Historic District
An irregular grid laid out c. 1790. Application is to extend the curb line and install plantings, paving and seating.

triangle

While we are not against the basic idea of this proposal, HDC feels that steps should be taken to maintain the historic urban character of this street triangle.  First off, instead of an amorphic form, it should be in the shape of a triangle which is what is created when streets on an irregular grid, like this one laid out c.1790, intersect.  The form is a typical, almost comforting one found throughout this city, creating iconic spots from the smallest seating areas to the Flatiron Building.  To highlight this shape and reinforce the street pattern, trees should be planted along the sidewalk edge like typical street tress instead of in some unbalanced massing.  Finally, rather than just an outline where the street once was, more traditional paving such as cobblestone over this area would call out this historic feature better.

LPC determination:  approved

Item 27
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
117279- Block 643, lot 38-
803-807 Washington Street – Gansevoort Market Historic District
Three Greek revival style rowhouses, built circa 1841 and later altered in 1922 by Charles H. Briggs. Application is to install storefront infill and signage.

The ground floor at 803-807 Washington Street is different from many new storefronts in this district that are created out of old loading docks.  These buildings have historically had storefronts and more effort in design and materials should be put towards expressing this.  Among changes that should be considered are a higher bulkhead and more appropriate lighting that does not include a readily visible conduit.

LPC determination:  no action

Item 29
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
115458- Block 698, lot 18-
525 West 26th Street – West Chelsea Historic District
A vernacular style factory building designed by Paul C. Hunter and built in 1904-05. Application is to alter the façade and install a barrier-free access ramp.

While this proposal certainly points 525 West 26th Street back in the right direction, HDC does have some concerns regarding the materials chosen such as spandrel glass and stainless steel.  The shiny, smooth materials are too slick for a vernacular style factory building, and other, more historic ones should be investigated instead.

LPC determination:  approved with modifications

Item 35
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
114502- Block 1378, lot 58-
26 East 64th Street – Upper East Side Historic District
A Queen Anne style rowhouse designed by Theodore Weston and built in 1881-82 and altered c. 1940. Application is to reconstruct the stoop and alter the areaway and entrances.

While the proposed stoop is a bit different from the historic one, it is certainly an improvement over the existing condition and is a good compromise that will allow for the inclusion of compatible ADA access and commercial use.  With the impressive restoration work happening above, the improved 26 East 64th Street will be a significant contributor to the block and historic district.

LPC determination:  approved

Posted Under: HDC@LPC