Certificate of Appropriateness Testimony
Item 1
160 Marlborough Road
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, LPC-22-05801
A Mediterranean style house designed by Robert Bryson and Carroll Pratt and built in 1905 with the porch enclosed c. 1951. Application is to modify window openings, replace windows and alter the roof.
Architect: ILYA KOROLEV ARCHITECT
The Historic Districts Council (HDC) finds this application to be largely commendable. The desire to restore the arched openings on the porch will significantly improve this building’s façade and add a lovely element back to this block.
We do wonder whether the applicant considered returning the entry point to the building back to the right-handed bay of the porch. The current location seems awkward and forced.
Action: approved with modifications
Item 2
259 Hollywood Avenue – Douglaston Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, LPC-19-36781
A vernacular Colonial Revival style house designed by George J. Hardway and built in 1915. Application is to legalize modifications to the porch, a window opening and driveway; legalize the installation of windows and a fence, the removal of mature trees and shutters, and the construction of a retaining wall, all without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s), and legalize the construction of a deck in non-compliance with Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s).
Architect: Giuseppe Tulumello
HDC asks that the commission deny all of these legalizations. It is impossible to believe that the owner and architect were unclear as to their responsibilities within the Douglaston Historic District. The fact that they filed for these changes, filed amendments, and then built this inappropriate junk shows a remarkable level of civic disdain and bad citizenship.
The very point and purpose of creating historic districts is to preserve the architectural details and proportions, and in Douglaston’s case, an approach to landscape that was determined to be worthy of preservation. The value of these properties is created and maintained by an adherence to certain standards and attention to the preservation and restoration, and ongoing maintenance of this district.
To allow these cheap and poorly considered interventions to stand is an affront to the district and to all of the neighbors who have followed the rules and invested in their properties in a way consistent with the spirit of this district.
Action: approved with modifications
44-54 9th Avenue and 351-355 West 14th Street – Gansevoort Market Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, LPC-22-06133
A row of Greek Revival style rowhouses with stores built c. 1845-46 and a row of Greek Revival style town houses with stores built c. 1842-44. Application is to reconstruct facades.
Architect: BKSK Architects
HDC believes that stabilization, preservation, and restoration of the existing façade is possible, and should therefore be pursued. This level of masonry degradation is prevalent throughout New York’s historic districts and its historic buildings and many architects and structural engineers are regularly able to develop and successfully execute projects that maintain these masonry walls. We see no compelling evidence in this presentation that the walls cannot be properly salvaged.
The wood nailers in the inner wythe of brick could be carefully removed and replaced with new brick to stiffen up this inner wythe. The remainder of the inner wythe can then be repointed and stabilized. The outer restoration work can then be executed. It appears to us that the shoring system that is already in place is the first and proper step to successfully stabilizing and restoring these walls.
We encourage all parties involved to put their heads and expertise together and save this façade.
Action: approved with modifications