LPC-25-05076
68 West 119th Street – Mount Morris Park Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An empty lot, formerly two rowhouses built in 1894 and demolished in 2023. Application is to construct a new building.
An empty lot, formerly two rowhouses built in 1894 and demolished in 2023. Application is to construct a new building.
Architect: Gerald J. Caliendo
The Historic Districts Council appreciates the effort to design a contextual new building for this site but has concerns with the proposal.
First, the five story, rear-yard extension is excessive for the block’s small rear yard condition, intruding significantly into the shared open space. The height should be reduced to be in scale with the adjacent landmarked brownstones.
We also question the design choices for the front façade. While the design attempts to read as two rowhouses, it creates a missing component with the lack of the stoop—suggesting that stoops were removed rather than intentionally omitted. We believe the applicant should revisit the façade logic for this project.
Action: No action.
LPC-25-07905
60 Bank Street – Greenwich Village Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style townhouse built in 1853-1854. Application is to construct rooftop and rear yard additions, excavate the rear yard, alter the rear façade and lot line parapets, and install ironwork.
Architect: Sawicki Tarella
The Historic Districts Council appreciates the restraint of the rooftop addition, which appears modest and appropriate.
However, we object to the rear façade design. The composition is dominated by an excessive proportion of glazing relative to masonry, that is not in keeping with historic rear façades of this type. We recommend a significant reconsideration of the rear façade to achieve a more appropriate balance of materials and openings.
LPC-26-06268
385 Greenwich Street – Tribeca West Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A building originally built in 1805-08 and altered in 1874 by Peter L. P. Tostevin, and a converted dwelling built c. 1815 and altered in 1949 by John A. Knubel. Application is to alter the façades, construct a rooftop addition, replace storefronts, remove a party wall and combine the buildings.
Architect: DXA Studio
The Historic Districts Council finds this proposal to be close to appropriate but has some concerns regarding the rooftop addition.
The height of the addition could be reduced to achieve a more appropriate relationship of scale and proportion with the historic building. We are also concerned that the rooftop addition in and of itself lacks compositional unity, reading as two distinct elements between the front and rear rather than a cohesive whole. The large rectangular picture window on the North Moore Street façade also appears out of character with the overall design scheme of the rooftop addition.
In addition, we note that the detailing of brownstone lintels and sills is not consistent with the 1940s tax photo.
Action: No action.
LPC-26-05571
250 2nd Avenue – Stuyvesant Square Park – Stuyvesant Square Historic District
250 2nd Avenue – Stuyvesant Square Park – Stuyvesant Square Historic District
BINDING REPORT
A public park, originally designed in the 1840s and redesigned by Gilmore D. Clarke in 1937, including a restroom building built in 1937. Application is to replace and modify pathways, paving, fencing and planting beds, replace windows and doors, install security screens, and regrade a portion of the site.
Architect: WXY
The Historic Districts Council appreciates and supports efforts to improve accessibility in this historic park. As always, accessibility and universal access is paramount to HDC when reviewing projects.
Gilmore Clarke, who redesigned the park in the 1930s, is increasingly recognized for his significant contributions to New York City landscape architecture. The park’s design is defined by its careful geometric symmetry. Because the proposed planting area and path reconfiguration would substantially alter that symmetry, we question whether alternative approaches to achieving accessibility have been fully explored, such as lowering the pavilion floor and entrances to grade.
In addition, we strongly encourage the retention of significant historic park furniture rather than outright replacement. The existing iron and wooden benches, as well as the historic lamp posts, should be preserved wherever possible.
Action: No Action. Refine design to preserve symmetry.
LPC-26-05705
254 Prospect Place – Prospect Heights Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Romanesque Revival style rowhouse designed by T.B. Langston and built c. 1892. Application is to construct rooftop and rear yard additions.
Architect: BALTIBOI STUDIO
The Historic Districts Council finds that the proposal has improved from its earlier iteration but continues to raise concerns regarding materiality and scale.
The use of multiple contrasting materials, particularly the two-tone brick at the rear, draws undue attention and creates a composition that feels overly complex for what is historically a modest building type. We recommend simplifying the material palette.
Additionally, we believe the rear yard extension should be reduced to align more closely with the neighboring building at 256.
Action: Approval with modifications to work with staff on rear facade materials and rooftop addition be set back.