Item 12
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
132604- Block 586, lot 7-
74 Wooster Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A factory designed by Charles Mattam and built in 1869. Application is to install new storefront infill, remove shutters, enlarge a light well and construct a rooftop addition.
While HDC finds the storefront infill appropriate, we regret the loss of the fire shutters as they compose a considerable amount of historic fabric so distinctive to early factory buildings and to the SoHo neighborhood. Neither of the two proposals for installing new shutters, just adding them on the very ends or installing smaller shutters that would not actually cover the window if closed, are particularly satisfying and instead are more reminiscent of tiny faux shutters on large picture windows often seen on suburban houses. HDC asks that another way be explored, using the examples of other buildings in the district which have been able to maintain their historic shutters.
As for the rooftop addition, no mock up was constructed by the time of Public Review on Friday (a similar problem the Community Board encountered when reviewing this project). It is likely that it will be visible over at least one side façade, and HDC asks that nothing be decided until an accurate mock up is constructed.
LPC determination: approved with modifications
Item 6
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
138919- Block 2112, lot 11-
127 St. Felix Street – Brooklyn Academy of Music Historic District
An Italianate style rowhouse built c.1859. Application is to construct a stair bulkhead, alter the rear façade, and excavate the cellar and rear yard.
The proposed bulkhead would be very prominent on this diminutive, charming rowhouse when viewed from the nearby parking lot. Considering that the other houses in the row do not have any major visible accretions, HDC asks that the bulkhead be minimized as much as possible so that it does not create a precedent.
LPC determination: approved
Item 19
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
141197- Block 827, lot 39-
202 Fifth Avenue, aka 1122 Broadway, 1-3 West 25th Street – Madison Square North Historic District
A neo-Classical style office building designed by Buchman & Kahn, with Zimmerman, Saxe & Zimmerman, and built in 1918-19. Application is to construct a one-story addition and bulkhead; raise a parapet, modify and create masonry openings; replace cladding; and install shopfronts infill, windows, signage, lighting, a marquee, and interior partitions at windows.
205 Fifth Avenue, located across the way from General Worth Square and the Flatiron Building, is a very prominent building in the Madison Square North Historic District. HDC is happy to see this long vacant building come back to life, and with the guidance of clear historic photos we feel it could be a handsome restoration. The building has been much stripped down over the decades, and we hope to see more details and articulation return while other work is being done here.
HDC finds the proposed base nicer than the existing, but, given the current conditions, that is not saying much. The openings seem too large and overall the base lacks articulation, creating a rather blank streetfront. HDC feels that the most important piece of the base, the main entrance, should be retained, regardless of whether it would be used or not. An entrance could still also be added on Fifth Avenue, as there have been ones before, and the coveted Fifth Avenue address used. But the central location of 25th Street entrance is about the only thing that has not changed on this base in nearly a century. Removing it would confuse what is obviously the primary façade.
It is good to see the return of the outermost bays of masonry openings on the main body of the building. While this work is going on, we would also ask that the spandrel details be brought back. This detailing helps outline the building and express its order better.
Large signage at the top of this building is certainly appropriate, but HDC feels that more framing around the letters and better articulation of the sign as was the case originally would be a better fit.
Finally, we find the mechanical screen to be rather visible. HDC would like to see studies of what the mechanicals would look like without the screening. A series of smaller rooftop accretions may be more appropriate than a single, large box.
LPC determination: no action
Item 10
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
141322- Block 482, lot 44-
430 Broome Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Extension Historic District
A Queen Anne style store and factory building built in the earlier part of the 19th century and altered in 1894-95 by Julius Kastner. Application is to construct a rooftop addition.
In the past the Commission has not considered views including a planned building unless the foundation for this new building has been poured. That is not the situation here for 430 Broome Street, as 42 Crosby Street’s plans have not been approved . Considering the view of the proposed rooftop addition without a building at 43 Crosby, HDC finds there is too much bulk that is too visible. We ask that ways of reducing this visibility such as lowering the 10-foot-tall height and decreasing the glazing be explored.
LPC determination: no action
Item 17
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
141825- Block 519, lot 12-
54 King Street – Charlton-King-Vandam Historic District
A Greek Revival style rowhouse built in 1841. Application is to modify the roof and rear façade.
HDC approves of the modifications to the roof, but we have questions regarding plans for the rear façade. While certainly not the original design, the existing is an interesting one that represents a piece of the building’s history. HDC asks that some research go into finding out the current design’s history and that retention of it be considered.
LPC determination: approved with modifications
Item 31
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
142080- Block 1406, lot 1-
737 Park Avenue – Upper East Side Historic District
A Classicizing Art-Deco style apartment building designed by Sylvan Bien and built in 1940. Application is to install mechanical equipment at the roof.
HDC feels this cooling tower would be disruptive to the design of 737 Park Avenue. Sylvan Bien’s 1940 design very carefully steps up, following both classical and art deco styles, until it reaches its culminating point, the water tower. The addition of the proposed would upset the symmetry. HDC asks if it would be possible to divide the mechanicals into smaller units and spread them out in such a way that would make them less visible and less disruptive.
LPC determination: no action
Item 22
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
142160- Block 1217, lot 1-
165 West 86th Street – West Park Presbyterian Church, Individual Landmark
A Romanesque Revival style church designed by Henry Killburn and built in 1889-90. Application is to install a canopy and signage
When considering signage for this individual landmark, the building’s style, history, and materials should all be part of the discussion. A blade sign, like those traditionally seen on ecclesiastical buildings, and/or signage on the doors could do the job of identifying the space rather than two wall mounted signs and the canopy. If there is room, freestanding signage or poster boxes, something else frequently used by houses of worship to list upcoming events, should be considered. The materials for this signage should be wood or metal in a warm tone which would be more in keeping with the Romanesque Revival, sandstone church building than aluminum.
Finally, HDC has concerns regarding further tenancies. If other tenants are expected in this building, a master plan for signage to handle all of them should be considered.
LPC determination: approved with modifications