October 19, 2010
LPC Docket Number: 107610
Brooklyn, Block: 1961, Lot: 53
414 Waverly Avenue – Clinton Hill Historic District
A vacant lot. Application is to construct a new building.
HDC Testimony
In general, HDC finds that this application for a new building is a successful one that obviously takes into account the materials, style, details, and building typology of Waverly Avenue in the Clinton Hill Historic District. The one characteristic that is off though is the height – the new structure should preferably match in height the two-story carriage houses, as this is the building type the new design follows, or at the very most the three-story rowhouses of the street. Three stories and a very visible fourth floor are too much for Waverly which developed as a service street for the mansions of Clinton and Washington Avenues. In 2008 and 2009, the commission worked through five presentations to reduce the visibility of a proposed rooftop addition on a carriage house at 18 Grace Court Alley, a similar, historic service street in Brooklyn Heights. We ask that the top floor’s visibility and its effect on the surrounding low-scale context be similarly considered and reduced.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
LPC Docket Number: 112293
Manhattan, Block: 516, Lot: 39
153 Prince Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Extension Historic District
A Greek revival style dwelling with alterations, originally built c. 1844-45. Application is to alter the façade and areaway and install storefront infill and signage.
HDC Testimony
HDC finds most of this proposal appropriate, with the exception of changing the window openings on the first floor. This non-reversible work calls for the removal of the existing sills and lintels and creates window openings wider than the original. This should be a case of letting the building speak for itself as to what is appropriate here – window openings that fit into the historic sills and lintels.
LPC Determination: Approved with modifications
LPC Docket Number: 110430
Manhattan, Block: 1500, Lot: 1
1071 Fifth Avenue – Carnegie Hill Extension Historic District
A Modern style museum building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1956-59. Application is to install a free standing food kiosk in front of the building.
HDC Testimony
The kiosk is a tight squeeze here in the busy, already rather narrow entrance area of the Guggenheim. The entrance to this important cultural institution is, of course, a focal point and the inclusion of a clear resin and steel wall changes this view, particularly from the north. Considering that the interior is also landmarked, this obstruction is all the more inappropriate. Also, there were no boards showing how this project would affect the visitor’s experience as one exits from the interior and enters the portico. Surely the active food kiosk and its signage would be a huge alteration to this landmarked space, and one that should be considered. Finally the tear-drop shaped structure does not relate to the paving pattern called out in the designation report with its inset metal circles which continues into the terrazzo flooring of the interior.
Normally, HDC does not talk about usage as it is not in LPC’s purview, but, just in case anyone is getting hungry for a mid-afternoon snack and is starting to think that a food kiosk is a good idea, we have to ask why is this being proposed? There is already a restaurant and a café in the museum, and food carts are no strangers to this stretch of the Museum Mile. If the museum absolutely must have another concession, a temporary cart that would not significantly alter the street level view of this important landmark should be considered instead.
LPC Determination: Denied
LPC Docket Number: 111455
Manhattan, Block: 1388, Lot: 43
44 East 74th Street – Upper East Side Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style residence, designed by the George F. Pelham and built in 1904-05. Application is to legalize modifications to a bay window and replacement of a window without LPC permits.
HDC Testimony
HDC opposes the legalization of modifications to a bay window and replacement of a window without LPC permits as this work removed important historic fabric. The bay and curved window are interesting pieces of this Beaux-Arts style residence, and the Upper East Side is fortunate enough that such lovely details can be called “typical” – there is even a metal bay right next door in the photos. Even if not visible from the public way, these character defining features are important enough to preserve. Besides the loss of historic fabric, the replacement design does nothing to enhance or recall the original, intact façade. If this had come before the commission as an application for new work, it is doubtful commissioners would have approved it without making sure that as much historic fabric as possible was retained. While the fabric may have been lost already thanks to this illegal work, HDC asks that the design and character at least be returned to this Beaux-Arts façade.
LPC Determination: Approved
LPC Docket Number: 111296
Manhattan, Block: 1399, Lot: 23
841 Lexington Avenue – Upper East Side Extension Historic District
A simplified Colonial Revival style stores and apartment building, designed by Thomas W. Lamb Inc., and built in 1929. Application is to replace storefront infill and install signage.
HDC Testimony
HDC would like to compliment the applicant on a very clear presentation and an application that involves a lot of good restoration work. We do though have a few comments. The storefront windows along the side street are very large openings, and we ask that mullions rather than adjoining butt glass be used to recall the tripartite window configurations above. Consideration should also be given to incorporating transoms, like those on the second floor windows or like the one over the entrance door, in order to break up the four bays of glass. We also ask that additional signage not continue past the corner bay – surely there will be enough signage, displays and activity in the windows to make signage on the side-street-façade unnecessary
LPC Determination: Incomplete