Item 2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
120763- Block 2099, lot 6-
65 South Elliott Place – Fort Greene Historic District
An altered early Italianate style frame rowhouse built c. 1854. Application is to construct a rear yard addition.
While HDC is not opposed to the design of the rear yard addition, we find its size is not appropriate for this Fort Greene garden core. The addition of 12 feet would go beyond the neighboring building and would intrude even more with the construction of a stair case projecting out from the façade. HDC recommends that the addition be pulled back to meet the neighboring building and the stair case redesigned to tuck against the wall.
LPC determination: no action
Item 4
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
120014- Block 326, lot 2-
59 Tompkins Place – Cobble Hill Historic District
An Anglo-Italianate style rowhouse built in the early 1850’s. Application is to enlarge window openings and install new windows.
HDC is happy to see that the original window opening lengths will be restored on this charming Anglo-Italianate style rowhouse. Still, we would like to suggest exploring options to recreate the double arch detail seen in the historic photo on both 59 Tompkins Place and its neighbor to the right. The unique detail works with the pedimented cornice to emphasize the verticality of the narrow house and adds even more to the character of the house.
LPC determination: approved
Item 8
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
120751- Block 530, lot 38-
334 Bowery – NoHo Extension Historic District
A Classical Revival style store and loft building designed by Charles M. Atraub, and built in 1908-09. Application is to install storefront infill.
HDC finds this application a missed opportunity to improve the base of this impressive Classical Revival style store and loft building. Addressing two issues – the solid to void ratio of the storefront and the relationship between the base and the rest of the building – would greatly help. Although the historic photo, which we thank the applicant for finding and including in the presentation, unfortunately does not clearly show the storefront, it is apparent that originally there was more glass (with thin muntins), than what is now proposed. The applicant has also gone through the trouble of finding similar buildings to use as examples. What is very apparent in these photos though is the clear connection of the storefront fenestration and design with that on the floors above. While this might be more of a challenge in this building as there are existing doors flanking the storefront, more of an effort to reflect the upper floors is needed. Finally, HDC finds the flat expanse of checked fabric inappropriate to this structure and the district. If it is to be considered a sign, it is a disproportionately large one. More typical sign band signage and/or awnings above the storefront openings would be a better fit and just as eye catching.
LPC determination: no action
Item 9
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
117263- Block 475, lot 7502-
35 Wooster Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A French Renaissance style store and loft building designed S. Curtiss Jr. and built in 1866. Application is to remove an access lift and replace the loading platform and storefront infill.
HDC compliments the applicant on the sensitive approach taken to the difficult issue of handicap access at a loading platform. In general we approve of the proposal and only suggest that talelr bulkheads be included in the design for the show windows.
LPC determination: approved
Item 18
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
116129- Block 631, lot 42-
527 Hudson Street – Greenwich Village Historic District
A vernacular building built in 1858. Application is to construct a roof railing, deck, pergola and skylight.
HDC feels that most of the proposed creates too much visible clutter on the vernacular 1858 building at 527 Hudson Street. Seeing as the building features no parapet to hide added elements, every effort should be made to reduce their visual impact. While it is described on the agenda as a “pergola”, the proposed which features photovoltaic panels is a more solid structure than a typical garden pergola. HDC would recommend instead that the generous deck be reduced in size and solar panels place on the remaining roof. Finally, we do find the new skylight on the bulkhead to be appropriate as it lightens up that solid structure and resembles the type of traditional skylight often seen on city rooftops.
LPC determination: approved with modifications
Item 23
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
118142- Block 824, lot 50-
20 West 23rd Street – Ladies’ Mile Historic District
An Italianate style building built c. 1854, and altered for commercial use in 1881. Application is to replace storefront infill and second floor windows.
While HDC is happy to see the uncovering and restoration of cast iron columns on the ends of the building, we feel more can be done with the infill and second floor windows. Both seem rather plain along a street where the two-story bases of neighboring buildings feature an interesting variety of design and depth. The bifold doors of the proposed first floor are atypical for the Ladies’ Mile, while the fixed pane nature of the windows on the second floor would only enhance its flatness. Finally, we recommend that probes also be conducted beneath the spandrels on both floors to see if the 1880s storefront still exists here as it does on the edges.
LPC determination: no action
Item 24
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
119182- Block 822, lot 7501-
11 West 20th Street – Ladies’ Mile Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style store and loft building designed by George W. Spitzer and built in 1901. Application is to replace windows.
Seeing as only four windows making up one floor are at issue here and that they appear to be historic, HDC asks that, if restoration is not possible, wood replacements which replicate the four-over-four configuration of the existing be installed. The difference in these windows from others on the neo-Renaissance style store and loft building is not glaring, and the historic design and proportions would serve as a guide for future window replacements on the other floors.
LPC determination: approved
Item 3
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
117758- Block 616, lot 27-
1 Jane Street aka 115-119 Greenwich Avenue – Greenwich Village Historic District
An apartment building designed by Charles Kreymborg and built in 1938-39. Application is to replace windows.
HDC is opposed to this application as it calls for the removal of not only too much historic fabric, but also the removal of key, defining design features of this apartment building by Charles Kreymborg, who also designed a number of buildings on the Grand Concourse. 1 Jane Street has an odd combination of casement and double hung windows, but it is a very deliberate plan of them and part of the building’s charm. And so we are particularly troubled by the proposal to install double hung windows in place of the distinctive casement windows. The change in operation, materials and configuration would greatly alter the character of this corner building. Seeing as the apartment building still retains its historic windows, restoration should be explored first or, if this cannot be done, suitable replacements that match the existing should be found. If the need for air condition units is the main impetus for this project, it should be pointed out that casement windows with a configuration matching the originals that allowed for a/c units were recently approved for 132 East 19th Street in the Gramercy Park Historic District.
LPC determination: no action