LPC-21-06057
495 Broadway – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
Manhattan – Block 484 – Lot 24 Zoning M1-5B CD: 2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Beaux-Arts style store and loft building designed by Alfred Zucker and built in 1892-1893. Application is to construct rooftop bulkheads and railings.
Architect: C3D Architecture PLLC
HDC finds the proposed bulkheads on the Mercer Street façade too big and too visible. There must be better ways to create full accessibility to the rooftop without constructing two hulking bulkheads that are right on the street line.
LPC-21-07952
101 Greene Street – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
Manhattan – Block 500 – Lot 7505 Zoning M1-5A CD: 2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A modern building constructed in 2002. Application is to alter storefront infill.
Architect/Designer: Atmosphere Design & Architecture PLLC
Although this is a new building, it is designed in such a way as to blend into the historic streetscape. However, one rarely finds a clear, finished wood storefront in SoHo, so this proposed design interrupts the visual environment and draws attention to itself in a most unwelcome way. HDC recommends finding a different storefront design that takes its cue from this contemporary contextual building and is more in keeping with the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.
LPC-22-01476
744 Fifth Avenue (aka 754 Fifth Avenue, 2 West 58th Street) – Bergdorf Goodman – Individual Landmark
Manhattan – Block 1273 – Lot 33 Zoning C5-3 CD: 5
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Modern Classical style department store designed by Buchman & Kahn and built in 1927- 28 and with later alterations. Application is to install signage and modify storefront infill.
LPC-22-01475
744 Fifth Avenue (aka 754 Fifth Avenue, 2 West 58th Street) – Bergdorf Goodman – Individual Landmark
Manhattan – Block 1273 – Lot 33 Zoning C5-3 CD: 5
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Modern Classical style department store designed by Buchman & Kahn and built in 1927- 28 and with later alterations. Application is to establish a master plan for the installation of seasonal displays.
The historic images of this this building show the elegance of its design. This is a remarkable piece of architecture and a rare example of a stand-alone Modern commercial building, which we don’t have a lot of in New York City. With this in mind, HDC strongly objects to the premise behind this application. This proposal seeks to use this attractive, minimalist building as an easel for signage rather than a frame. The specifics of the attachments appear to be well-thought out and minimally damaging to the physical integrity of the building, but the end result of the permit will be to cover this landmark in colorful drapery 9 months out of the year. It’s one thing to dress up for the holidays, but at a certain point – and this application reaches it – one is making a definite fashion statement that changes your whole look. When you’ve got as good a look as this building, that’s just gilding the lily.
LPC-21-09092
30 Rockefeller Plaza – RCA Building & RCA Building Interior Lobby – Individual and Interior Landmark
Manhattan – Block 1265 – Lot 7501 Zoning C5-2.5, C5-3 CD: 5
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An office building and designated lobby designed by the Associated Architects and featuring artwork by Jose Maria Sert and Frank Brangwyn, and constructed in 1931-33 as part of an Art Deco style office, commercial and entertainment complex. Application is to modify openings, extend walls, and replace light fixtures within the interior lobby, install storefront infill at the ground floor, and install attractions and accretions at the rooftop observation terraces.
Montroy DeMarco Architecture LLC
HDC has a number of concerns with elements of this proposal. To begin at the ground floor, we believe that the storefront design damages the symmetry which is woven throughout the Rockefeller Center complex. Even more troubling are the lobby modifications and wall extensions, which interrupt the floor patterns in several places. The floors in the complex are an integral element of its overall design and they should be treated as such. HDC also opposes what is being proposed for the mezzanine. The applicant is leaving an big, unaesthetic gap in what is currently a consistent and harmonious horizontal plane.
With regard to the 70th floor, we believe that the new deck is very visible, making it seem as if a new top to the top is being added. This is a hat on a hat and, as such, it just doesn’t work. The observation deck is iconic in itself, and, as stated before, Rockefeller Centre is a complete, considered aesthetic design. We urge the Landmarks Commission to reject this new addition.
LPC-20-08873
356 Hollywood Avenue – Douglaston Hill Historic District
Queens – Block 8049 – Lot 25 Zoning R1-2 CD: 11
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An English Cottage style free-standing house designed by Philip Resnyk and built in 1930. Application is to legalize the replacement of windows, alterations to planters and installation of steps in non-compliance or without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s).
HDC strongly opposes this application. The front stoop is barely designed, it’s just put there regardless of historic precedent or esthetics. Although it’s difficult to determine from the presentation materials, we understand that the replacement windows are of low quality with removable muntins. We further understand that these new windows replaced historic multi-lite windows, which are a key characteristic of the English Cottage design. We urge the Landmarks Commission to instruct the applicant to return this building to a more historically appropriate appearance using the proper designs and materials.
LPC-22-01527
2 St. Marks Place – St. George/New Brighton Historic District
Staten Island – Block 22 – Lot 120 Zoning R3A CD: 1
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A neo-Colonial style freestanding house designed by Gardner & Hoffman and built in 1926- 1928. Application is to legalize the replacement of garage doors, alterations to the stoop, and the construction of retaining walls without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s).
HDC’s chief concern with this proposal is the new stoop. The original stoop was constructed of brick in a row lock pattern, which was appropriate to this impressive house. The brick material of the house, and its patterning, is a chief characteristic of the building and should be respected and maintained. The inclusion of stone into this design is inappropriate and does this building no favors.
