Item 1
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF QUEENS
117051- Block 10313, lot 32-
115-16 179th Street – Addisleigh Park Historic District
A Tudor Revival style free-standing house built prior to 1926. Application is to replace aluminum siding.
In cases where the tax photo and other documentation are unclear and the existing material is obviously not original, probes should be done in a few spots to see if anything remains below that can guide present and future work. This technique has proven helpful elsewhere, and HDC asks that it be done here on this charming Tudor Revival style house.
LPC determination: no action
Item 7
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
120275- Block 532, lot 15-
230 Mercer Street, aka 663-665 Broadway – NoHo Historic District
A neo-Gothic style store and loft building designed by V. Hugo Koehler and built in 1911-1912. Application is to legalize the installation of banner poles and stretch banners without LPC permits.
A few years ago a business owner in the NoHo Historic District Extension moved their grandfathered flagpole to avoid scaffolding. The commission rejected their proposal to legalize the new location. HDC asks that the commission reject this application also. The commission regularly turns down applications for new stretch banners, and, if given the chance to move a building towards a more appropriate state, it should be taken. More appropriate commercial and wayfinding signage should be investigated instead.
LPC determination: approved with modifications
Item 24
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
131910- Block 40, lot 1-
68 Jay Street – DUMBO Historic District
A Daylight Factory style building with a transitional American Round Arch style elements designed by William Higginson and built in 1915. Application is to install storefront infill and signage, and to legalize the removal of loading docks without LPC permits.
HDC finds the storefronts of this proposal lacking. 68 Jay Street is an industrial building, but one with very considered details. It deserves storefronts of equal caliber and detail, not flat, boxy ones such as these that have come straight out of a catalog.
More information is needed on the changes that had been made to the loading docks, including their appearance and condition prior to the alterations, before determining if this work was appropriate and should be legalized. Given the importance of loading docks to industrial buildings as well as conversations with local advocates we presume it is not.
LPC determination: no action
Item 25
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
134850- Block 1072, lot 7502-
25 Montgomery Place – Park Slope Historic District
A late Romanesque revival style rowhouse designed by C.P.H. Gilbert and built in 1892. Application is to replace a bay window at the rear façade.
It would be a shame to lose such a lovely bay window as this one on this C.P.H. Gilbert Romanesque revival style rowhouse. From the photos in the presentation, it does not appear to be in an unsalvageable state. If it cannot be restored, the sheet metal could easily be replaced and done so even locally by Brooklyn businesses who specialize in just this sort of thing. Preserving the unique character of this charming house while supporting local craftsmen seems like a win-win combination.
LPC determination: no aciton
Item 2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
134943- Block 144, lot 40-
60 Hudson Street – The Western Union Building, Individual Landmark
A Dutch and German Expressionist style building and lobby designed by Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker and built in 1928-1930. Application is to construct a flue enclosure.
While HDC does not object to this flue enclosure’s size, we do find that painting it the color of the building, as if it is sprouting out of the original structure, inappropriate. We ask instead that it be painted a duller shade that will allow it to blend in with the other mechanicals on this roof or consider using no enclosure.
LPC determination: approved with modifications
Item 20
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
135928- Block 1302, lot 64-
12 East 78th Street – Metropolitan Museum Historic District
A neo-Italian renaissance style rowhouse built in 1886-87. Application is to legalize painting the façade in non-compliance with Certificate of No Effect 11-0771.
If this project had come before the LPC as a proposal for new work, we would ask that colors of the original materials and successive paint layers be investigated. Although 12 East 78th Street comes before the commission as a legalization of work, we still ask that the same investigation be done now to determine the appropriateness of this color. In general, it makes more sense to paint a brownstone building a brownstone tone than to try to make a faux limestone house.
LPC determination: approved
Item 17
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
135956- Block 822, lot 70-
54 West 21st Street – Ladies’ Mile Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style store and loft building, designed by Maynicke & Franke and built in 1909-10. Application is to replace windows.
If these windows cannot be restored, the replacements appear appropriate, especially considering their location on the twelfth floor. HDC would ask though that a paint analysis be performed on these remaining original windows to guide the color of their replacements and others on this façade.
LPC determination: approved