Hearing Date: 7/28/2009
LPC Docket Number: 099190
Brooklyn, Block: 2563, Lot: 45
881-885 Manhattan Ave – Greenpoint Historic District
A pair of one-story commercial buildings originally built in 1886, and altered in 1950. Application is to install a storefront infill and signage.
HDC Testimony
While this one-story commercial building altered in 1950 is not typical of the Greenpoint Historic District, it does have a certain charm hearkening to the mid-20th century that should be respected and preserved. Rather than replacing the panels, they could be refinished. If for some reason they cannot be, they should at least be installed with butt joints rather than black plastic joints. While large signage would not be out of place on this faзade the proposed feels too clunky. HDC of course understands that this is a company logo, but we wonder whether in the special case of an historic district the business would consider refining it a bit, particularly its lighting and use of plastic. The use of clip-on awnings rather than real ones further lends a cheap feel to the structure. This little building does not require extensive alterations, just some cleaning up, and the removal of the roll down gates is a good start. HDC urges the applicant to work further with staff.
LPC Determination: Approved with modifications
Hearing Date: 7/28/2009
LPC Docket Number: 097400
Manhattan, Block: 1507, Lot: 1
1140 Fifth Avenue – Carnegie Hill Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style apartment building, designed in 1921 by the Fred F. French Co. Application is to establish a master plan governing the future installation of windows.
HDC Testimony
HDC does not approve the proposed window master plan for 1140 Fifth Avenue as it would move the building further away from its historic design and eventually require the removal of a fair amount of historic fabric. Windows are a significant design feature of large apartment buildings of the 1920’s, and the lack of any divided lights here is an inappropriate, significant change to this structure.
Eleven years ago, this was one of the six buildings which came forward with an ill-intentioned master plan for window replacement and through-wall air conditioner installation. At the time, HDC and Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts did a survey of the existing windows on all the buildings. We found that on 1140 Fifth Avenue, over a third of the existing windows on both the Fifth Avenue facзade and the 94th Street facade were true multi-pane windows. While this master plan is superior to the 1998 proposal in that it is proposing double-hung, one over one windows rather than single-pane tilt and turn windows, it is still unacceptable.
Here is our what we said then, and it remains true today:
The developer, Frederick F. French, was known for his love of ornamentation. The detailing; the dentilled cornice, molded surrounds, bay groupings, conspire to create a full, robust building. By removing the multi-light windows, you are making this building look much thinner, too thin. Yes, contrary to popular opinion, you can be too thin – at least a building can be.
LPC Determination: Denied
Hearing Date: 7/28/2009
LPC Docket Number: 079246
Manhattan, Block: 1385, Lot: 7502
33 East 70th St, aka 30 East 71st St – Upper East Side Historic District
A neo-Federal style apartment house, designed by Schwartz and Gross and built in 1928-29. Application is to establish a Master Plan governing the future instillation of windows.
HDC Testimony
As HDC has often testified, and Commissioners have often said, windows are integral pieces of the design of large 1920’s apartment buildings. 33 East 70th Street takes the simple, clean lines of a Federal era rowhouse and fits it onto a much more massive scale. One of the few details of the style that translates is the divided lights, and without them the large building looks very plain. In the past the Commission has often asked for compromises such as requiring divided lights at the base and other significant sections of the building, and HDC asks that such a compromise be found here too.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 7/28/2009
LPC Docket Number: 096543
Brooklyn, Block: 211, Lot: 15
72 Poplar Street – Brooklyn Heights Historic District
A brick police station building with a one-story attached garage designed by Beverly King and Harry Walker and built in 1912. Application is to construct rooftop additions, modify the entrances and window openings.
HDC Testimony
HDC is rather shocked at the size of the addition proposed for 72 Poplar Street and the following request for a 74-711 to allow such an addition.
The boards speak for themselves, but for the record we have to say that the additions are highly visible from a variety of view points, change the massing of the building, and overwhelm the structure. By no means are they minimally visible.
We also find the all glass entrances to be too much of a rejection of the original design. The existing front doors with their glass panels provide plenty of light and transparency. They should be retained and used as the model for the design of the other doors on the structure.
This application is not Certificate of Appropriateness material, and it certainly is not appropriate for a 74-711. Any preservation purpose is being smothered by the addition or left empty by all glass entrances.
LPC Determination: Incomplete