Landmark permit issued for 54 STATE STREET, BROOKLYN in BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
Landmark building permit details
| Location | 54 STATE STREET, BROOKLYN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | December 6, 2006 |
| COFA | COFA 07-4213 |
| Docket | 07-3901 |
| Historic district | Brooklyn Heights |
| Landmark name | N/A |
| Expiration date | November 14, 2012 |
| Text | ISSUED TO: Andrew Heller Besen Associates 381 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Pursuant to Section 25-307 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, at the Public Meeting of November 14, 2006, following the Public Hearing of October 24, 2006 and Public Meeting of October 31, 2006, voted to approve a proposal for work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed October 5, 2006, and as you were informed in the Status Update Letter issued on November 14, 2006 (SUL 07-3617, LPC 07-2366). This approval will expire November 14, 2012. The proposed work, as approved, consists of replacing the existing stoop with a new bluestone at-grade entry landing with black painted metal railings; replacing the non-historic stucco knee walls at the front areaway with a new metal fence to match the historic fence at the adjacent building; replacing the existing non-historic entrance door and brick infill above with a new painted wood door and a new glass transom similar to the door at the adjacent matching building and within the original masonry opening; removing two windows at the basement front areaway infilling the openings with brick panels recessed from the face of the surrounding brick; excavating the areaway, and installing a new metal stair, windows, and door at the new basement; installing a new stair and elevator bulkhead and mechanical room at the roof; and installing four new balconies at the east end of the rear façade. The proposal as initially presented included replacing the existing one-over-one, double hung windows in-kind, constructing a taller mechanical bulkhead at the roof, and installing a shorter entrance door and transom, as shown in drawings LNDMK-1 through LNDMK-8, including LNDMK-2A dated October 30, 2006, and LNDMK-4, LNDMK-4A, and LNDMK-7 dated November 2, 2006, submitted as components of the application, and presented at the Public Meeting and Public Hearing. In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that 54 State Street is a five story apartment building built in the late 19th Century; and that in terms of its style, scale, materials, and details, it contributes to the special architectural and historic character for which the Brooklyn Heights Historic District was designated. The Commission further noted that a Department of Buildings permit was issued in error for work on the building and that the demolition of the stoop, front entryway, front areaway, windows, and interior structure, and the construction of a lowered first floor slab had been substantially completed at the time of the submission of an application. The Commission finally notes that Warning Letter 07-0108 was issued on September 14, 2006 for "Alteration to building including demolition and removal of windows without permit(s)." With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that that the proposed work will provide barrier-free access in an unobtrusive manner; that the removal of three non-decorative, simple low steps, at the entrance to the building will not result in the removal of significant historic fabric; that the replacement of the concrete areaway walls with open railings will eliminate features that detract from the façade and will restore a more open appearance at the areaway; that the proposed elongated door will match the details of the original door and the door at the adjacent historically matching building, thereby returning this element to a condition more in keeping with its original appearance; that the proposed transom at the door will align with the location of the original transom, thereby returning this element to a condition more in keeping with its original appearance; that the brick infill at the basement widows will be recessed somewhat behind the plane of the façade, thereby maintaining the presence of a filled window opening; that deepening the existing sunken areaway will not resulted in damage to, or loss of any significant historic fabric; that the proposed areaway stair will be simple in design and therefore, will not call undue attention to itself; that the proposed balconies at the rear façade will not be visible from any public thoroughfare; and that the mechanical bulkhead at the roof will be minimally visible over unarticulated secondary façades and in the context of other existing rooftop structures on surrounding buildings, and thus will not call attention to itself, but that this visibility must be confirmed; and that the proposed work will not diminish the special architectural and historic character of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed work to be appropriate to the building and the historic district, and voted to approve this application. However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission stipulated that a mock-up of the roof top mechanical bulkhead and two final signed and sealed copies of the Department of Buildings filing drawings for the approved work be submitted to the staff of the Commission for review and approval. Subsequently, on November 14, 2006, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings LNDMK-1, LNDMK-2, LNDMK-3, and LNDMK-5 dated October 30, 2006, LNDMK-4 and LNDMK-7 dated November 2, 2006, LNDMK-6 dated March 26, 2006, and LNDMK-8 dated October 27, 2006 all prepared by Thomas Cusanelli, R.A. Staff reviewed the drawings and found that the work also includes replacing the existing paired one-over-one, double-hung windows at the front façade with new paired wood, two-over-two, double-hung windows; removing the existing non-historic fire escape at the front façade; repointing deteriorated mortar joints at front façade to match the existing; removing infill from the center windows at the rear façade, returning to the original opening size; replacing in-kind the one-over-one, double-hung windows at the rear façade; replacing the easternmost windows at the rear façade with new casement windows in the existing openings; altering the door and window openings at the non-visible rear basement façade; and associated interior alterations. Accordingly, staff reviewed the drawings and found in accordance with the provisions set forth in Title 63 of the Rules of the City of New York, Section 3-04c, that the new windows at the primary façade will match the historic windows in terms of configuration, operation, details, material and finish; that the removal of the fire escape will not result in the loss of any significant historic fabric; that the new mortar will match the historic mortar in strength, color, texture, and tooling; that returning the window openings at the rear to their original size will not result in damage to or loss of any significant historic fabric and will return this façade to a condition more in keeping with its original appearance; in accordance with Section 3-04d, that the new windows at the visible portion of the rear façade will match the historic windows in terms of configuration and finish; in accordance with Section 3-04d, that the new easternmost windows at the rear façade will not be visible from any public thoroughfare, that they will be installed in existing openings, and that they do not replace "special" windows, as defined in the Rules; in accordance with Section 2-15, that the new window and door openings at the rear basement façade will not be visible from any public thoroughfare and will not alter or destroy other protected features nor detract from such protected features by their proximity; that the interior alterations will have no effect on the significant architectural features of the building; and that the proposal approved by the Commission has been maintained. Based on this and the above findings, the drawings are marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness 07-4213 is being issued. PAGE 2 Issued: 12/6/06 DOCKET: 07-3901 This permit is contingent upon the Commission's review and approval of shop drawings of the new windows at the front of the building, a mock-up of the mechanical bulkhead, and samples of mortar removal and repointing mortar prior to the commencement of work. Please contact Joshua Speakman to schedule a site visit once samples are available for review. Please note that Warning Letter 07-0108 issued on September 14, 2006 for "Alteration to building including demolition and removal of windows without permit(s)," remains in force against the property. Failure to address this violation will result in the issuance of a Notice of Violation originating from the Environmental Control Board in accordance with Title 63 of the Rules of the City of New York, Section 7-02(c). This NOV would require a court appearance, and a civil penalty may be imposed and cannot be cured. Once the corrective work has been performed, please submit photographs, with close-up shots of the completed work, and a letter from the building owner requesting a Notice of Compliance to the staff of the Commission. 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 Joshua Speakman. Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Charles Knight, T.F. Cusanelli Architects cc: C. Kane Levy- Deputy Direcor of Preservation; Anne Carlin- Violations Officer; John Weiss- Deputy Counsel PAGE 3 Issued: 12/6/06 DOCKET: 07-3901 |
Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.