Item 20
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
141713- Block 11221, lot 77-
205 Columbus Avenue – Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
A neo-Grec style flats building designed by Hubert & Pirsson and built in 1886-87. Application is to replace storefront infill and install signage.
HDC finds the proposed, all glass storefront too stripped down to be appropriate for this neo-Grec style flats building. We ask that elements such as a bulkhead, transom, and framing details be incorporated.
LPC determination: approved
Item 1
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF QUEENS
142877- Block 10288, lot 1-
174-05 Adelaide Road – Addisleigh Park Historic District
A Medieval Revival style free-standing house, with attached garage, designed by Fred J. Burmeister and built in 1935-1937. Application is to legalize the replacement of windows without LPC permits.
HDC feels that the double hung aluminum windows are not an appropriate replacement for original steel casement windows on the front of this Medieval Revival style home. Relatively few Certificates of Appropriateness have been issued for this historic district designated just two years ago, making this application precedent setting. We ask that precedent set be one that is harmonious with the historic architecture.
LPC determination: denied
Item 10
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
143293- Block 172, lot 7501-
378 Broadway – TriBeCa East Historic District
An apartment building designed by Daniel Pang & Associates and built in 1990. Application is to alter the first floor façade and install signage.
While the proposed storefront may be suitable for this 1990 building, the building unfortunately is not suitable for the historic district. HDC finds this a missed opportunity to bring the base more in keeping with the streetscape, rather than just creating a giant display window. We ask that the applicant work with staff to find a solution that meets the needs of the historic district and the retail.
LPC determination: no action
Item 4
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
144157- Block 210, lot 20-
31 Middagh Street – Brooklyn Heights Historic District
One of a pair of Greek Revival style frame houses built in 1847. Application is to alter the façade, construct a rear yard addition and rooftop bulkhead, and excavate the rear yard.
31-33 Middagh Street is an unusual, charming example of a mid-century double house. While it is nice to see the return of some period details, HDC is concerned about the repositioning of the door and windows on the right side of 31. If any openings are to be changed, these should move closer to the center, their original position that emphasized the bookmatched design of the building.
LPC determination: no action
Item 18
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
144222- Block 876, lot 14-
5 Gramercy Park West – Gramercy Park Historic District
A Greek Revival style town house, built between 1844 and 1850. Application is to construct a front porch and stair, create an entrance, replace windows, construct a rear addition, combine masonry openings, and excavate the rear yard.
In general, HDC applauds this proposal and its return of the ironwork to this special block, and we are excited to see the results. We do though ask that the applicant work closely with staff to make sure the details are exactly right. It is important that the end result does not draw all the attention just to 5 Gramercy Park West, but brings the attention to the ensemble as a whole. While all of the time, effort, and money is being spent, HDC asks that the cornice also be returned to more fully restore this beautiful town house.
LPC determination: no action
Item 9
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
144339- Block 1085, lot 43-
104 Prospect Park West – Park Slope Historic District
A neo-Italian Renaissance style rowhouse designed by Axel S. Hedman and built in 1899. Application is to paint the rear façade and to construct a perimeter masonry wall at the rear yard.
It appears that few, if any masonry walls exist in this garden core giving it a relatively open feeling. HDC asks that this condition be maintained by using a fence, as others have, or hedges to delineate the property. We also question painting the entire rear façade as so much of such a dark color is bound to have a negative impact on the garden core.
LPC determination: wall approved
Item 8
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN
145203- Block 1075, lot 5-
274 8th Avenue, aka 175 8 Avenue, aka 274 Garfield Place – Park Slope Historic District
A school building associated with Temple Beth Elohim featuring neo-Romanesque and Art Deco style details, designed by Mortimer Freehof and David Levy, and built in 1928. Application is to replace windows.
HDC finds the proposed replacements windows inappropriate for this school building. The proposed arched casement windows, with their much thicker framing and lack of articulation, have a squatter appearance than the existing historic windows. The double hung windows should match the existing wood windows better rather than replicating the aluminum ones. The meeting rail of the aluminum windows is far too thick. The glass reduction – 7.3% in the casement windows, 7.42% in the double hung windows – will create a definite change in the appearance of this 1928 building. HDC asks that the possibility of restoring the existing historic windows be fully explored, or, if this is deemed impossible, that more accurate new windows be used.
LPC determination: no action