LPC-22-00050
295-297 Hicks Street – Brooklyn Heights Historic District
Block 261 – Lot 111, 9, 110 Zoning R6 CD: 2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
Three vacant lots. Application is to construct two new buildings.
Architect: CWB Architects
In the interest of transparency, Brendan Coburn, the architect of record for this project, serves on HDC’s Board of Directors. Mr. Coburn has recused himself from the deliberations for this project. This building was previously approved by LPC as three small townhouses. This new application is for two buildings.
The committee felt that the massing, materiality, and detailing of the application were well done. Nevertheless, we have two primary concerns related to the design of the building’s façade. First, the committee felt that the arched opening on the ground level of the larger building was too wide, creating a misalignment with the fenestration above. We recommend raising the spring line of the arch, which would allow for a narrower opening. We feel this would improve the overall appearance of the arch and would create a more harmonious relationship with the remainder of the façade. Second, we felt that building’s lack of window muntins gave the fenestration an institutional quality, especially in relation to the neighboring buildings.
LPC-21-10696
77 Greene Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
Manhattan – Block 486 – Lot 21 Zoning M1-5A CD: 2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A store and loft building designed by Henry Fernbach and built in 1877. Application is to paint the cast iron façade.
The proposed two-toned painting scheme is inappropriate. Not only does it create an awkward composition, but it also obscures the articulation of the building’s cast iron elements. This proposed paint scheme would compromise the subtle play of sunlight across the façade, obscuring the façade’s detailing. Additionally, the proposed paint scheme disrupts the façade’s relationship with its elegantly monochromatic neighbors, calling undue attention to itself for no apparent reason.
LPC-22-00018
1423 Albemarle Road – Prospect Park South Historic District
Brooklyn – Block 5095 – Lot 46 Zoning R1-2 CD: 14
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Queen Anne style house, with Medieval French, English Tudor, Shavian, and American Colonial style influences, designed by John J. Petit and built in 1899. Application is to construct a side-yard addition, create and modify masonry openings, and install a balcony railing.
Architect: NV Design Architecture
Although the committee found the overall scheme to be sensitive and well done, we also felt that the new entry’s articulation remained awkward and abrupt. We recommend the architect further study the detailing of the entryway. Additionally, the proposed railing on the second floor, which is modern in nature, strikes us as incongruous with the remainder of the house’s Victorian detailing.
LPC-21-06111
163 East 69th Street – Upper East Side Historic District
Manhattan – Block 1404 – Lot 31 Zoning R8B CD: 8
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A neo-Georgian style garage and house designed by Albro & Lindeberg and built in 1909, and later altered in 1954. Application is to construct rooftop and rear yard additions, modify masonry openings, replace windows and doors, and install balconies
Architect: J.L Ramirez Architect
The committee has no objections to the proposed alterations to the building’s front façade and the rooftop addition. We do find, however, that the removal of the brick spandrels between the second and third floor windows on the rear façade to be inappropriate. Additionally, it is unclear to us where the building’s air conditioning condensing equipment is meant to be located, and whether it will be visible from the street. It appears in different locations in the various drawings included in the presentation.
LPC-22-01811
749 5th Avenue – Weir Greenhouse (now McGovern-Weir Greenhouse) – Individual Landmark
Brooklyn – Block 655 – Lot 31 Zoning M1-1D CD: 7
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Victorian style commercial greenhouse designed by George Curtis Gillespie and built in 1895. Application is to remove the remainder of a previously demolished building adjoining the greenhouse, and to install portions of fencing and a new entrance courtyard, pathway, and vestibule associated with new fencing and signage and a new building located off the landmark site.
Overall, the committee was pleased with the restoration work to the Weir Greenhouse and the deferential quality of the new building (which we understand is not part of the application). We felt, however, that the typeface chosen for the Weir building’s signage is at odds with the delicacy of the restored greenhouse and the adjacent new structure. The new building works hard to provide a reserved and elegant backdrop for the Weir Greenhouse; the proposed signage overwhelms and disrupts this otherwise lovely project.
