Landmark permit issued for 72-76 GREENE STREET, MANHATTAN in SOHO-CAST IRON

Landmark building permit details

Location 72-76 GREENE STREET, MANHATTAN
Issue date December 29, 2006
COFA COFA 07-4584
Docket 07-3565
Historic district Soho - Cast Iron
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date September 12, 2012
Text ISSUED TO:
David Slaven, Managing Member
72-76 Greene Street / King of Soho LLC
72 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012


Pursuant to Section 25-307 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Landmarks Preservation
Commission, at the Public Meeting of September 12, 2006, following the Public Hearing of the same date, the
Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work at the
subject premises, as put forth in your application completed on August 17, 2006. This permit will expire on
September 12, 2012.

The proposed work, as approved, consists of alterations at the ground floor infill from bay #1 (northernmost bay)
to bay #10 (southernmost bay) including; removing modern infill at the bay #1 and installing a pair of wood
doors to match the historic door infill; relocating cast-iron and glass vault steps from bay #5 to bay #2; installing
paired wood doors at bay #5 and bay #6 to match the historic infill; removing modern infill at bay #10 and
installing the relocated historic doors and cast iron stairs from bay #6; and constructing a one-story rooftop
penthouse; removing the existing fire escape on the front façade; reconstructing the south parapet wall; and
constructing new elevator and stair bulkheads at the roof. The proposal as initially presented to the Commission
included a two story rooftop addition and installing iron balconies at the rear façade. All proposed work included
historic photographs, current condition photographs and drawings, mounted on presentation boards labeled 01
through 21, dated presented September 12, 2006, prepared by McKay Architecture, submitted as components of
the application, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting.

In reviewing the proposal, the Commission noted that the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District designation report
describes 72-76 Greene Street, as a French Second Empire style warehouse, designed by J.F. Duckworth, built in
1872-1873; and that the style, scale, age, materials, and details of the building contribute to the special
architectural and historic character of the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District. The Commission finally noted that
Certificate of No Effect 07-1752 was issued for restorative work in conjunction with an application requesting
the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Modification of Use.
With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that relocating the historic doors and cast iron steps to the
end bays to replace modern elevator doors will not result in the loss of historic fabric; that the design of the
proposed wood and glass ground floor infill will match historic infill already present on the building, and will
help to unify the ground floor; that cast iron buildings are characterized by the modularity of doors, windows,
steps and vault lights, and the relocation of these elements will retain this rhythm and the form, style and details
found throughout the historic district; that the proposed work will provide barrier-free access in an unobtrusive
way that will help restore unity to the base of the building; that the fire escape does not possess any decorative
elements, therefore, its removal along with the elevator bulkheads, mechanical equipment and dunnage will
eliminate features that detract from the special architectural and historic character of the building; that the
installation of the fire escapes has compromised and damaged the cast iron façade, and its presence obscures the
façade, and therefore their removal will allow for the repairs of the façade and restoration of significant cast iron
details; that the proposed one-story rooftop addition will be simple in design and massing, and that no occupiable
space will be visible from any public thoroughfare; and that the proposed rooftop bulkhead and parapet will only
be visible from one block east, over a modern two story building and in the context of other secondary facades;
and that the material, fenestration and details will be in keeping with the character of secondary façade elements.
Based on these findings, the Commission determined that the work is appropriate to the building and to the
historic district.

Subsequently, on December 21, 2006, the staff of the Commission received drawings LPC-001 through LPC-017,
dated December 18, 2006, prepared by Thomas James McKay, R.A. The Landmarks Preservation Commission
staff reviewed the drawings and found that the second story of the rooftop addition and the balconies at the rear
façade had been eliminated from the proposal and that the proposal approved by the Commission has been
maintained. Therefore, these drawings are being marked approved by the Commission with a perforated seal, and
this Certificate of Appropriateness is being issued.

This permit is issued on the basis of the building and site conditions described in the application and disclosed
during the review process. By accepting this permit, the applicant agrees to notify the Commission if the actual
building or site conditions vary or if original or historic building fabric is discovered. The Commission reserves
the right to amend or revoke this permit, upon written notice to the applicant, in the event that the actual building
or site conditions are materially different from those described in the application or disclosed during the review
process.

All approved drawings are marked approved by the Commission with a perforated seal indicating the date of
approval. The work is limited to what is contained in the perforated documents. Other work or amendments to
this filing must be reviewed and approved separately. The applicant is hereby put on notice that performing or
maintaining any work not explicitly authorized by this permit may make the applicant liable for criminal and/or
civil penalties, including imprisonment and fines. This letter constitutes the permit; a copy must be prominently
displayed at the site while work is in progress. Please direct inquiries to Kim Valente.




Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Thomas McKay, McKay Architectural Design

cc: McKay Architectural Design; Judith Saltzman; Sarah Caroll, Director of Preservation; John Weiss, Deputy
Legal Counsel



PAGE 2
Issued: 12/29/06
DOCKET: 07-3565

Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.

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