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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TESTIMONY LPC-25-04975 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS An empty lot, formerly a transitional French Second Empire/Neo-Grec style rowhouse built in 1873 and demolished in 2023. Application is to construct a new building. Architect: Building Studio Architects 28 7th Avenue had been on HDC’s buildings at risk list. We were sad to see the historic building on this site demolished in 2023, and we are glad that a new building will fill in the street wall here. We are doubly glad that the new building will offer multi-family housing. We appreciate the need for an accessible, grade-level entrance for this multi-family building. HDC strongly supports universal design and accessibility interventions on historic buildings and in historic districts. Because this is a new building, and the grade-level entrance is an inherent and purposeful part of the design, HDC believes more consideration should be given to the design and detailing of the building’s plinth level, so that the ground floor entrance looks intentional, rather than as if it were created by removing a stoop. The reason the grade level entrance currently looks like an alteration is that the rest of the building is designed to replicate the recently-demolished historic building at 28 7th Avenue, which had a stoop. HDC wonders if it is possible for this new building to accommodate an accessible entrance at grade, and a stoop. If not, and the only entrance to this building will be at grade, as proposed, then the ground floor entrance should be further articulated, and the proposed materials should be clarified. |
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LPC-25-03477 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS A Greek Revival style townhouse built in 1839. Application is to construct a rooftop addition, modify and reconstruct the rear façade, excavate the cellar and rear yard, replace windows, and legalize the installation of a stoop gate without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s). Architect: SUK Design Studio Architecture HDC appreciates the applicant’s desire to visually match the color of the proposed rooftop addition to the building’s distinctive white cornice, but we believe the addition, which is visible at a distance, would more readily recede into the background if it were rendered in a more muted tone. Further, we feel that glass is an inappropriately reflective material for the proposed rooftop railing, and believe an open metal rail would be more appropriate. Action: no action. |
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LPC-24-09748 MISCELLANEOUS – AMENDMENT A neo-Grec style building designed by J. B. Snook and built in 1868. Application is to legalize the removal of shutter pintels and installation of a stucco system at the rear façade in noncompliance with Certificate of Appropriateness 17-3541. HDC finds this legalization inappropriate and hopes the Commission will ask the applicant to restore the building to the conditions approved in the Certificate of Appropriateness. Action: approved. |
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LPC-25-05551 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS A French Gothic Revival style church building designed by James Renwick Jr. and built in 1843-1845, with later expansions and alterations. Application is to use substitute materials for masonry restoration. Architect: Building Conservation Associates Inc The applicant cites a “compressed construction schedule, with completion of all work required by December 2025,” as the rationale for using cast stone to restore Grace Church, rather than the appropriate material, which is Indiana Limestone. The applicant does not explain why there is a “compressed construction schedule” for restoring this individual landmark, and HDC finds that the applicant’s self-imposed time constraint is not an appropriate reason to use substitute materials. HDC asks the applicant to please use Indiana Limestone. Action: approved. |
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LPC-25-05231 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS An American Round Arch style stable building designed by Benjamin E. Lowe and built in 1889, with a 1900 extension on Minetta Lane designed by William Van Doren. Application is to construct rooftop additions, demolish the rear of the building to create a courtyard with new rear facades and connector, reconstruct lot-line walls and floor slabs, alter the ground floors and install new infill, and enlarge existing windows and create new window openings. Architect: Morris Adjmi HDC is a passionate advocate for adaptive reuse and residential conversion citywide. We applaud the creation of new housing here, and feel the project would be an even greater asset to the neighborhood if the applicant gave further consideration to the design and detailing of the street-level retail and garage door infill. In terms of mechanicals, HDC notes the proposed HVAC louvers are venting to the front, and wonders whether they could instead vent to the courtyard or the roof, which we think would be more appropriate. Action: no action. |
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LPC-25-06122 CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS A Modern style museum building designed by Marcel Breuer & Associates and built in 1964-1966. Application is to construct a rooftop bulkhead and install signage and lighting. Architect: PBDW Architects HDC feels the proposed addition of any metal to the underside of 945 Madison’s architectural concrete entrance canopy is inappropriate, and we are especially opposed to the proposed “polished and reflective metal” because shiny reflective metal is inconsistent with the building’s material palette. Action: approved bulkhead and vitrine, no action on the bronze plate at the entry. |
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