February 15, 2011
LPC Docket Number: 108326
Brooklyn, Block: 1063, Lot: 7
75 7th Avenue aka 180 Berkeley Place – Park Slope Historic District
A Romanesque Revival style apartment house designed by M.J. Morrill and built in 1888. Application is to install an exhaust duct and new storefront infill.
HDC Testimony
In general, the proposed storefront is an improvement over the existing, and HDC is happy to see that it would uncover important features of this Romanesque Revival style structure. We do feel though that more could be done with the storefront itself – it does not seem to live up to the rest of the building. A number of different approaches could improve this including the use of wood, more articulation, continuing the bulkhead along the door, and/or painting the storefront. The tax photo shows two different approaches to the transom, both of which could add some interest, prismatic glass or painted signage. Finally, we would like to see a smaller sign band that is limited to the length of the letters.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
LPC Docket Number: 115830
Manhattan, Block: 149, Lot: 7
87 Chambers Street – TriBeCa South Historic District
A vacant lot. Application is to build a new building.
HDC Testimony
With the sad loss of 87 Chambers Street, an 1855 Italianate store and loft building, came the worry of what would be proposed to be put in its stead. HDC is happy to see a design for a building that is generally contextual in style, materials and massing and that includes cast iron pieces salvaged from the original structure. We do though have a few comments. The wider windows and decrese in bays (compared to the earlier building) gives a more horizontal, squatter appearance than what is typically found in this are. At Public Review on Friday there were two materials boards with conflicting information. The red granite details should not be polished, but should instead have a more subdued, matte finish. While it is not terribly visible, the penthouse and additional mechanicals are larger than its neighbors and seem to be too much for the building. The street wall of the new building matches the heights of others in the area, and HDC feels the rest of the structure should also be comparable.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
LPC Docket Number: 114713
Manhattan, Block: 502, Lot: 38
167 Spring Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Extension Historic District
A Romanesque Revival style warehouse building designed by Franklin Baylies, and built in 1898-99 Application is to replace windows.
HDC Testimony
Single pane windows are very rarely appropriate choices in historic districts, as we can already see here on this 1890’s Romanesque Revival style warehouse. The large expanses within the framing are left blank, giving an empty-eyed feeling to the building. While there are some single pane windows already in place, there are not so many as to warrant further unsympathetic alterations along this line. Instead, double hung windows with more period appropriate detailing should be explored and a master plan be put in place to guide this landmark back in the right direction.
LPC Determination: Denied
LPC Docket Number: 114825
Manhattan, Block: 698, Lot: 18
515-519 West 26th Street – West Chelsea Historic District
A vernacular style factory building designed by Abraham Ratner and built in 1921; and a daylight factory building by Rouse & Goldstone and built in 1911. Application is to replace windows and install mechanical equipment within window openings.
HDC Testimony
The importance of window configuration and design is often noted when window master plans are proposed for early 20th-century apartment buildings, and this is a defining feature in factory buildings of this era as well. Historic factory buildings are typically rather simple, but the design and operation of their windows were key to provide the ventilation and light necessary for manufacturing. Similarly, retaining and restoring historic fabric or installing replicas are key to preserving the industrial character of the West Chelsea Historic District.
The historic windows on the east elevation are readily visible, should be retained and could serve as models for any future replacements. While the North Side is not visible from the street, there is a considerable amount of historic fabric that would be lost in this project. HDC was also curious how visible this façade is from the High Line which is considered part of the public way. These buildings are along the stretch of the Park scheduled to open this year, and it is not unreasonable to ask that these potentially important views be considered.
LPC Determination: Approved
LPC Docket Number: 115447
Manhattan, Block: 1128, Lot: 1
329 Columbus Avenue – Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
A Renaissance Revival style apartment building designed by Lamb & Rich built in 1895-1898. Application is to install signage.
HDC Testimony
Rarely do we hold up Duane Reade as an example of tasteful signage, but at 329 Columbus Avenue it is. The signage is proportionate, in subdued colors, and in a traditional sign band form in a customary location, and HDC feels that it should inform designs for other signage on the base of this Lamb & Rich building. The tall freestanding letters of the proposed are unnecessarily fussy and when placed on top of a signband, creates signage taller than the existing. A signband of the same size and material and on the same plane as the neighboring store’s should be the backdrop for any corporate colors, logos, and slogans. Otherwise a master plan for signage should be considered to bring cohesiveness to the base.
LPC Determination: Incomplete