HDC@LPC Testimony for February 13, 2024

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TESTIMONY

LPC-23-05203
96 Macon Street – Bedford Historic District

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS

An empty lot. Application is to construct a new building.

Architect: Highrise Group

HDC would like to note that board member Brendan Coburn is part of the design team for this project but did not participate in the Committee’s discussion. We find it appropriate as proposed, and feel the design fits capably into its surroundings. 

That said, HDC is concerned about the neighboring building at 94 Macon St., which is an abandoned building within the Bedford Historic District that we believe is at risk of demolition, and in serious need of attention from the LPC. Adjacent construction could compromise the already very fragile building and so LPC’s monitoring of this proposed project is crucial.

Action: Unanimously approved with modification that the applicants work with staff to resolve the fenestration pattern on the ground floor, and with suggestion they consider an insulated cavity wall.

LPC-24-05823
77 Hudson Street (aka 77-79 Hudson Street) – Tribeca West Historic District

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Romanesque Revival style store and loft building designed by Martin V.B. Ferdon and built in 1893-94. Application is to legalize the removal of vault lights at the sidewalk without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s).

Vault Lights are an important historic material and architectural element of the Tribeca West Historic District. In fact, in many instances, the vault lights found throughout the district were manufactured within the district itself, most notably by Jacob Mark at 5 Worth St.

HDC understands that the vault lights which were removed here seem to have been in an advanced state of disrepair, but as a building material, vault lights have a meaningful connection to this building and to this district. 

Given that vault lights were extant at this location until they were removed by the applicant, and given that vault lights remain commercially available, they should be repaired or replaced as a matter of course.

Action: Unanimously approved

LPC-24-01920
315 Greenwich Street – Tribeca West Historic District

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style store and lofts building built in 1861-1862. Application is to create a new opening and install storefront infill, and remove fire escape baskets.

Architect:  STUDIO CASTELLANO

HDC supports the proposed new opening and storefront infill, but we believe that the fire escape baskets should be maintained. They are not simply utilitarian, but actually a decorative element of the facade, matching the fire escapes next door at 317 Greenwich Street. 

Action: Unanimously approved with modification that the storefront infill be moved eastward and rendered as an independent punched opening and that the fire escape baskets be maintained

LPC-24-04610
57-59 Christopher Street – Greenwich Village Historic District

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 
Two Italianate style row houses built in 1853 and altered in the early-twentieth century. Application is to construct rooftop additions and reconstruct rear façades.

Architect: EDG

HDC commends this very thoughtful addition that responds very nicely to its environment.

Action: Unanimously approved with modification that the applicants work with staff to lighten the bulkhead, and to minimize both the railing and the parapet.

LPC-23-11959
101-111 West 10th Street, aka 445-451 6th Avenue – Greenwich Village Historic District

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 
A row of six houses built in 1836. Application is to modify a storefront and signage master plan approved under Certificate of Appropriateness 96-0125.

HDC commends this lovely proposal. We particularly appreciate the care taken with the design and materiality here. That said, a continuous cornice appears to have been the historic configuration at this location, and we therefore ask the applicant to explore employing a continuous cornice here.

Action: Unanimously approved with the modification that the applicant extend the length of the cornices, and work with staff on the return and the stepping

LPC-24-05350
924 Broadway – Ladies’ Mile Historic District

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 
A Mid-20th Century Commercial style building, converted from two rowhouses originally built in 1854, and later altered multiple times in the first half of the 20th century. Application is to legalize the installation of metal windows in noncompliance with Permit for Minor Work 09-4532.

Architect: Matiz Architecture & Design

HDC does not support this legalization. It is unclear to us why these windows were installed out of compliance with the applicant’s approved C of A, but we believe the windows should be in compliance with the approved drawings.

Action: Held Over

LPC-24-06030
218 West 57th Street – Society House of the American Society of Civil Engineers –
Individual Landmark

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 
A French Renaissance Revival style club building designed by Cyrus L.W. Eidlitz and built in 1896-97, with alterations in 1905-16, by Cyrus L.W. Eidlitz and Andrew C. McKenzie, and in 1918, by Arnold W. Brunner. Application is to enlarge the existing elevator bulkhead, install a painted wallsign, modify the storefront display windows, and install illuminated signage.

Architect: STUDIO SUPERETT

HDC supports this application as proposed and commends the applicant on a clear presentation.

Action: Unanimously approved with modification that the applicant work with staff on the details of the signage.

LPC-23-11249
340 West 85th Street – Riverside – West End Historic District Extension I

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 
A Colonial Revival style club house and dwelling designed by George B. de Gersdorff and built in 1926-27. Application is to install a barrier-free access ramp.

Architect: Curtis + Ginsberg Architects

We are thrilled that this beautiful building will be gaining the ADA access it needs. 

HDC believes that quality is a mark of equality, so ADA access features should be treated as direct evolutions of the buildings they serve, and be designed with the same level of quality and care that would rightly be put into any feature of the existing building. 

We appreciate that for the proposed ramp, the applicant has matched existing materials, including bronze, limestone and granite. We believe, though, that this design can be even further integrated into the look and feel of the existing building by articulating the ramp to more closely resemble the details of the building’s existing stone plinth.

Action: Unanimously approved with modification that the applicant work with staff to test the removal of the coating on the base of the building and work with staff on the selection of materials for the ramp based on the result of those tests.