Certificate of Appropriateness Testimony
LPC-22-06838
104 Bond Street – Boerum Hill Historic District Extension
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Colonial Revival style residential building with a commercial ground floor built in 1914. Application is to install signage and replace doors and storefront infill.
Architect: TBD Architecture & Design Studio
HDC is generally comfortable with this proposal and we are happy to see a business returning to the space. We are not totally convinced by the proposed natural wood color of the new front door surround. We believe it should be painted black to match the remainder of the storefront. We also question the need to replace the existing doors and their oval lights. Perhaps they could be saved and painted in a color that works with the applicant’s identity.
LPC-22-03634
218 Carlton Avenue – Fort Greene Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style rowhouse designed by John Doherty and built c. 1863-64. Application is to legalize and modify the rear façade, which was reconstructed without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s).
Architect: bolee
HDC would like to see the applicant reconstruct a corbelled brick cornice at the top of the wall, and we strongly support the replacement of the bluestone lintels above the windows on the second and third floors. We would also note that the lintels should extend 4 inches on either side of the masonry opening and be set one-quarter inch proud of the brick façade.
LPC-22-05471
171 Baltic Street – Cobble Hill Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A house built c. 1960. Application is to construct a rooftop bulkhead and install a solar array.
HDC would encourage the applicant to explore alternate ways of reducing the height of this bulkhead. It appears that the amount of structural work proposed in the application would allow the applicant to consider restructuring the roof to allow the bulkhead to sit atop the ceiling of the top floor. Also, holding the trellis six feet away from the east parapet of the property might allow the trellis to be lowered to a less intrusive height.
HDC would also note that we appreciate the importance of incorporating solar panels, outdoor space, and green roofs into the many roofscapes of New York. We therefore encourage the applicant to work with the LPC staff to develop this project in such a way as to reduce its visibility.
LPC-22-03056
337 Clinton Street – Cobble Hill Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style rowhouse built c. 1850. Application is to modify fire escapes and install decks at the rear façade.
HDC finds this application inappropriate. Number 337 and its neighbors already overwhelm their buildings with a cacophonous array of fire escapes. This proposal will make that condition worse.
There must be a way to accomplish this programmatic desire for outdoor space with emergency egress that is more respectful of this particular donut, or any donut anywhere.
LPC-22-06146
9 Hillcrest Avenue – Douglaston Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A vernacular house built c. 1910. Application is to alter windows and construct a dormer addition.
HDC finds these proposed alterations inappropriate and in need of further development. There are ways to add onto, and alter the facades and massing on a 1910 vernacular house. Marianne Cusato and Ben Pentreath’s Get Your House Right might be a useful resource for this applicant in their search for a balanced solution.
LPC-21-10627
251-253 Fifth Avenue – Madison Square North Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Queen Anne style French flats building with ground floor stores designed by George B. Post and built in 1872-74, and a store and office building designed by Charles C. Thain and built in 1920. Application is to restore missing architectural features, modify storefronts, install a marquee, install a skylight at no. 253; and to demolish no. 251 and construct a new building on the site, connected to no. 253.
Architect: TRA Studio
HDC is cautiously appreciative of the proposed restoration of the 251 building and we recognize the horse trade that is being attempted here.
We find the proposed new building to be entirely too busy both in terms of massing and façade composition and material use. There are, to our eyes, concepts for 4-5 different buildings being crammed into this new sliver. Assuming that this trade of FAR bulk for restoration of 251 is allowable and likely to be approved, we would ask LPC and the applicant to pursue a quieter, simpler, and more elegant solution for the new structure.
LPC-22-08221
330 West 72nd Street – West End – Collegiate Historic District Extension
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Medieval Revival/Art Deco style apartment building designed by George & Edward Blum built in 1927. Application is to replace windows.
HDC believes the building should have a master plan for returning this and all the building’s windows to a 3 over 1 configuration. The applicant has a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their civic-mindedness in helping restore this building’s façade to its original elegant self.
