PUBLIC HEARING TESTIMONY
LPC-26-01578
440 West 21st Street (Aka 402-444 West 21st Street), and 180 10th Avenue (Aka 444-450 West 21st Street) – Chelsea Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An ensemble of English Collegiate Gothic style buildings around a close designed primarily by Charles Coolidge Haight and built largely between 1881-1902. Application is to create a main entrance by replacing the West 21st Street gate and modifying the alleyway; install signage throughout the complex; and alter the close by installing paving, a barrier-free access lift. ramps, and light fixtures.
Architect: Beyer Blinder Belle
HDC believes that the treatment of the landscapes, and accessibility additions were sensitively done. We also find the location of the new gate to be appropriate. However, we find the signage program to be inappropriate and excessive. Vanderbilt and The General Theological Seminary both have a rich legacy and the excessive signage appears as a marketing campaign rather than a method of wayfinding or commemoration of history.
Action: Approved with modifications – reduce the visual impact of the 10th Avenue corner signage on the stone wall and reduce the number of banners.
LPC-25-09456
102 Greene Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A store and loft building designed by Henry Fernbach, built in 1880-81, and altered in 1941. Application is to legalize the removal of vault light steps.
Architect: Etna Consulting
HDC finds this proposal to be inappropriate. The products required to repair and replace the damaged vault lights are commercially available. HDC strongly urges the applicant to replace or repair the vault light steps in kind, as they are a trademark of the SoHo District.
Action: Denied – repair original vault lights.
Left: Existing Vault Lights on the south side and Right: Proposed Steps on the south side
LPC-26-03891
26-30 West 67th Street – Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Modern style office building designed by Kohn, Pedersen Fox Associates and built 1978-79. Application is to demolish the building and construct a new building
Architect: Robert A.M. Stern Architects
HDC questions the appropriateness of the design proposal.
This building is a handsome, modern building that is a part of ABC’s legacy and the overall composition of the area. It is a testament to Kohn, Pedersen Fox’s history of architecture in the city. The legacy of the building should be preserved in some form or another. The idea of demolishing a perfectly sound, modernist building to create a smaller building with less space for housing is perplexing.
There is potential for the existing building to be converted into residential as opposed to full demolition. One can argue that the ground floor can be renovated to make the entrance more inviting to residents. Keeping in line with the applicant’s desire to keep nine floors, there is also a possibility to eliminate the top few floors to make room for interior renovation but keep the character of the campus intact.
Action: No Action – return with suggested modifications to the design.
