September 7, 2010
LPC Docket Number: 109653
Queens, Block: 1278, Lot: 44
78-01 37th Avenue – Jackson Heights Historic District
A Moderne style commercial building designed by Oscar I. Silverstone and built in 1941. Application is to install new storefront openings, replace storefront infill and install a marquee and signage.
HDC Testimony
While HDC is glad to see the this Moderne style commerical building’s overall form and design are being preserved, we have some concern with what is to be installed in the storefront openings. For starters, the door framing should be in black and not brown as the former is more appropriate to the sleek design of the rest of the building. The use of black glass in the sign band is good as this a key feature in Jackson Height’s commercial buildings, but the letters should be painted rather than the proposed applied metal letters. Also, attention should also be paid to the type of glass used. This proposal would remove an historic Carrara glass sign, a key piece of 1930s and 1940s commercial architecture than is swiftly vanishing from Main Streets around the country. More than just colored glass, Carrara Glass is a pigmented structural glass whose deep coloring and slick, shiny appearance reflected the stream-lined Moderne style. Unfortunately, it is no longer produced in the United States. We are happy to hear that there will be an attempt to reuse some of the existing glass, and equal care should go into the selection of replacement material. The National Park Service deems spandrel glass, commercially known as Spandrelite or Vitrolux, a suitable replacement material. This heavy plate glass with a ceramic frit fired to the back gives that distinctive shine and color that will not fade. We ask that the applicant work closely with LPC staff to ensure the signage is equal to that of the historic fabric being removed.
LPC Determination: Approved
LPC Docket Number: 111511
Brooklyn, Block: 28, Lot: 5
25 Washington Street – DUMBO Historic District
An American Round Arch style factory building, designed by William Higginson and built in 1901. Application is to establish a master plan governing the future installation of windows.
HDC Testimony
HDC feels the use of one-over-one aluminum windows would wash out this 1901 factory building. The importance of window configuration and design is often noted when window master plans are proposed for large, early 20th-century apartment buildings, and this is a defining feature in factory buildings as well. Historic factory buildings are typically rather simple, but the design of their large windows were key to provide the ventilation and light necessary for manufacturing. Now is an opportunity to return to a more interesting configuration like that seen in the historic photo of 25 Washington Street, even if it is in a lesser material than the original We request that a more genuine, multi-pane configuration be used to help move this building closer to its historic appearance.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
LPC Docket Number: 108866
Manhattan, Block: 46, Lot: 9
14 Wall Street – Individual Landmark
A Classical Revival style office building designed by Trowbridge & Livingston, and built in 1910-12, with a Modern Classic addition designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and built in 1931-33. Application is to install two escalators, modify storefront infill and install signage.
HDC Testimony
While the pyramidal roof line may be the most distinctive part of the former Bankers Trust Building, it is the base that passer-bys experience. On such an iconic entrance of such an iconic building, the rule of thumb should be the less changed, the better. Whether it is changing door configurations at the Pine Street entrance or the addition of escalators, only necessary, not merely more comfortable, alterations should be made. If necessary, their materials and colors should blend in with the existing in order to not call attention away from the elegant historic design.
LPC Determination: Approved
LPC Docket Number: 110390
Manhattan, Block: 147, Lot: 12
135 West Broadway – TriBeCa South Historic District
A Federal Style house with a commercial base, built in 1810. Application is to install storefront infill and signage.
HDC Testimony
HDC is interested to know what might lie underneath the existing storefront. If there is anything of the original granite posts and beams, this should be retained and used as the framing for any new storefront. As for this application, we are happy to see that the proposed storefront is made of wood and feel that similarly the sign should be wood rather than metal. While there may have been unpainted metal sidewalk sheds and such historically in TriBeCa, an unpainted metal signband is not appropriate.
LPC Determination: Approved
LPC Docket Number: 109483
Manhattan, Block: 179, Lot: 68
137 Franklin Street – TriBeCa West Historic District
An empty lot. Application is to construct a new building.
HDC Testimony
In general, HDC finds that this is a good attempt at the tricky task of designing a new building in an historic district. We feel though that some changes are needed in order to strengthen the building. The metal outlining is an interesting detail, but gives the appearance of just a curtain wall or a metal frame with brick inserts. The arches are reminiscent of other buildings in the district, but these examples need to be studied and followed more closely. The proposed feel rather weak, and a stronger treatment of the spring line is needed. At the top, instead of the very thin cornice, the building needs a more robust finish. We assume the structure is not built out full to the lot lines due to some zoning issue, but if this can be avoided it would also help create a more complete building and streetfront. This is a very prominent corner in the TriBeCa West Historic District, visible from many directions and at considerable distances. This lot calls for more than a watered down reflection of surrounding structures, it needs a robust building that can be a proud addition to the district.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
LPC Docket Number: 111542
Manhattan, Block: 497, Lot: 15
558 Broadway – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A commercial building built in 1860 and altered in 1920. Application is to replace the storefront.
HDC Testimony
HDC was very happy when the Commission rejected a proposal this past May that would have obliterated the façade of this building and its simple, but charming 1920s design. While this proposal is not nearly as offensive as that one was, it still is not taking the building in the right direction. The second floor is retained, but the ground floor storefront does not seem to know what is going on upstairs, let alone reflect it. If a new storefront is to be installed, it must respond more to the second floor in order to create a whole building.
LPC Determination: Approved
LPC Docket Number: 111642
Manhattan, Block: 590, Lot: 1
257 Bleecker Street – Greenwich Village Extension II Historic District
An altered Federal style brick rowhouse built in 1829 with alterations in 1921 and 1920. Application is to install new storefront infill.
HDC Testimony
HDC finds that the proposed design is not in keeping with this 1829 rowhouse or its 1920s alterations. There seems to be a lot of signage and corporate branding, down to the door knob. In particular, the large, chunky box sign needs to be reduced and the awnings should span only the window openings and no further. Like other chain businesses in historic districts, the applicant needs to think more about the existing building and how the storefront infill and signage works with it rather than just pasting in a corporate identity.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
LPC Docket Number: 103999
Manhattan, Block: 1381, Lot: 7504
21 East 66th Street – Upper East Side Historic District
A neo-Gothic style apartment building designed by Fred F. French Company and built in 1921. Application is to construct a rooftop addition.
HDC Testimony
HDC finds that this application takes a bad situation, a rooftop with a highly visible addition, and makes it worse by adding yet another highly visible addition on top of an existing penthouse. The choice of light-colored stucco would highlight the addition even more. Unless its visibility can be reduced, we do not recommend approving this proposal.
LPC Determination: Incomplete