PUBLIC HEARING TESTIMONY
LPC-26-01803
144 Greenpoint Avenue – Greenpoint Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An altered commercial building originally built in 1898. Application is to demolish the building and construct a new building.
Architect: Building Studio Architects
HDC questions this new design direction. This project needs work, but we are confident that the architects are up to the task of generating a more well proportioned, well detailed structure more in line with the historic styles found on Greenpoint Avenue.
The applicant has pointed out very interesting features of the existing building and the surrounding buildings, and we would like to see the new proposed building make use of those clues. We understand that the new design is somewhat similar to the building in the 1940s tax photo, but is missing those distinctive large windows which were captured in the previous design.
We find the modulation of the brick walls, the size of the windows and the asymmetrical metal windows to be visually unconvincing, turning the once unique building into a discreet background design. There is an opportunity when working with brick to develop details that reveal more creative uses of the material that alludes to its history in the area.
Action: No Action – rethink massing and window configuration.
LPC-25-07374
380 West Broadway – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style store and storehouse building designed by Edward H. Kendall and built in 1873-74. Application is to legalize the installation of signage, replacement of doors, and recladding of storefront infill without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s).
Architect: Beyhan Karahan & Associates
HDC finds these alterations to be inappropriate and inconsistent with the overall district. Such alternations should not have been done without LPC approval. Specifically, the astroturf logo, the matte banners and the yellow paint are unsuitable additions to the original design and the SoHo Historic District as a whole.
Action: No action – work with the staff to reduce signage, remove astroturf and restore the original door.
LPC-26-01996
79 Christopher Street – Greenwich Village Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A church parsonage building designed by John M. Foster and built in 1868. Application is to construct a rooftop addition.
Architect: Shadow Architects
HDC finds the applicant’s proposal to be appropriate, though we believe that the rooftop addition can be pushed back further than the original plan. The applicant should also consider flattening the roof to appear less visible from the adjacent St. John’s Church facade so as not to disturb the existing view.
Action: Approved with modifications – the overhang and associated masonry pier at the rooftop addition be eliminated.
LPC-26-03633
779 Fifth Avenue – The Sherry-Netherland – Upper East Side Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic style hotel building designed by Schultze & Weaver and Buchman & Kahn and built in 1926-27. Application is to paint a door surround.
Architect: Acheson Doyle Partners Architects
HDC finds this application to be inappropriate and not complementary to the iconic design of the Sherry-Netherland. This storefront is one of the few Michael Graves designs in the city, and it is important to preserve the design as he imagined it.
Although the bronze statue above the doorway seems like an improvement, the bright green colored door appears to be out of place with the building’s design and not in line with the architect’s’s original choice of a deep brown on the doors. Moreover, the original ornamentation of the gate should be retained, as such design is rare.
We also believe that the doors and windows of the storefront should not be painted over and the original glass should be retained as a part of the storefront design. If the applicant does not wish to exhibit the inside of the store, there are alternatives such as frosted glass that can achieve the desired effect without losing the materiality.
Action: Approved – bright green color at the entrance surround and darker green at the remainder of the infill will recall the original color contrast; stained glass signage will be well-scaled and kept in the original placement.
LPC-26-04313
53 East 77th Street – Upper East Side Historic District
MISCELLANEOUS – AMENDMENT
A modified neo-Spanish Renaissance style residence altered by Pleasants Pennington in 1926-27, from what was originally a Beaux Arts style residence designed by Henry Rutgers Marshall and built in 1900-01. Application is to amend Certificate of Appropriateness 25- 04569 to modify previously approved changes to the front façade and install rooftop mechanical equipment.
Architect: Studio MDA
HDC finds the originally approved scheme to be more appropriate than the new proposal, and the original plan should be maintained as such. The central element of the window pattern should be upheld as a part of the original intent of the design. HDC finds the remainder of the proposed alterations to be appropriate.
Action: Approval to the amendments on the top, no action on the ground floor proposal.
LPC-26-03234
870 Fifth Avenue – Upper East Side Historic District Extension
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Modern style apartment house designed by William I. Hohauser and built in 1948-49. Application is to replace solariums at the penthouse.
Architect: Re:Design Architects
HDC finds the replacement to be appropriate as the new windows should not be very visible as they are at the rear of the building and would not alter the appearance of the building in any significant way.
Action: Approved.
LPC-26-04283
950 Park Avenue – Park Avenue Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Renaissance Revival style apartment building designed by J. E. R. Carpenter and built c. 1919-20. Application is to replace windows.
While HDC finds the plans for these particular windows to be appropriate, ideally there should be a masterplan for the whole building. HDC would like to see a long-term, incremental proposal to return the building windows to their original condition.
Approved.