HDC regularly reviews every public proposal affecting Individual Landmarks and buildings within Historic Districts in New York City, and when needed, we comment on them. Our testimony for the latest items to be presented at the Landmarks Preservation Commission is below.
Item 1
8 Shore Road – Douglaston Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, Docket #1929526A Colonial Revival style house built c. 1950s. Application is to construct an addition and modify the driveway and curb cut.
This application is in a rather incipient form and requires substantial restudying. The introduction of foreign stylistic choices transforms a quaint Cape style into something quite close to the appearance of a McMansion, which are known for having several different roof styles huddled uncomfortably together. The lack of articulation between garage and house is particularly problematic. Here, the original design vocabulary of gables and dormers has vanished and is replaced merely by hipped boxes, much to the detriment of West Drive. It is unfortunate that the sole fanciful design element on the house–the ocular window on the garage–was not considered worthy of incorporation in the new design. The addition should be lower than the existing, primary gabled roof and this generously sized lot allows for much room for exploration of expansion.
LPC Determination: No Action
Item 7
262 Central Park West – Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, Docket #1934639
A neo‐Renaissance style apartment building designed by Sugarman & Berger and built in 1927‐28. Application is to replace windows.
This is a Central Park West Sugarman & Berger building, and its original six-over-six window configuration should be restored.
LPC Action: No action