Landmark permit issued for 425 BROADWAY, MANHATTAN in SOHO-CAST IRON

Landmark building permit details

Location 425 BROADWAY, MANHATTAN
Issue date October 22, 2007
(?) COFA COFA 08-4121

Certificates of Appropriateness (COFAs) are issued by the landmarks commission when it approves such things as building construction, demolition and visible additions to historic property. The certificates require a public hearing and the entire process can take several months.

Docket 08-3107
Historic district Soho - Cast Iron
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date September 18, 2007
Text
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 11, 2007, following the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of
the same date, voted to approve the proposed work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application
completed on August 16, 2007.

The proposed work, as approved, consists of removing modern storefront infill; the restoration of cast iron
columns and installing new storefront infill, featuring large panes of glass with transoms, bulkheads with a black
painted finish and awnings; and the installation of a paired glass and metal doors at the northern bay; as shown in
historic photograph; drawings labeled 1 through 5, dated July 20, 2007; all prepared by Gregg M. Rothstein,
R.A., 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 425 Broadway as a building designed by Griffith Thomas and built in 1869; and that the building's
style, scale, materials, and details of the building are among the features which contribute to the special
architectural and historical character of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. The Commission further notes that
Notice of Violation 02-0505 was issued September 12, 2002 for "the removal of shopfront and installation of
fixed awning ("Accord Footwork") without permit(s)," and that Notice of Violation 02-0507 was issued
September 12, 2002 for "the installation of louvers at 5th floor center window without permit(s)."

With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the storefront that was removed without permits was not
original or a significant later alteration to the building and enclosed the original cast iron columns, and its
removal exposed the cast iron columns; that the proposed restoration of the historic cast-iron columns will
re-establish the architectural integrity of this storefront; that the proposed storefront infill will fit neatly within the
original existing columns returning the base of the building closer to its original 19th century appearance; that the
design maintains transparency at the base of the building which is a distinctive feature of the ground floors of the
commercial buildings within the historic district; that the configuration of the storefront, including bulkheads and
glazed transoms, will relate well to the configuration of historic storefronts found in buildings of this age, style
and type; and the proposed storefront will enhance the special architecture and historic character of the building
and the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed
work to be appropriate, and voted to approve it.

However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission stipulated that two copies of the final signed and
sealed Department of Buildings filing drawings for the approved work be submitted to the staff of the
Commission for review and approval.

Subsequently, on October 16, 2007, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings labeled 1
and 2, dated July 20, 2007, prepared by Gregg M. Rothstein, R.A. Accordingly, staff reviewed the drawings and
found that the proposal has been amended to show fixed awnings, featuring black canvas fabric and signage on
the skirt; as shown in written specifications dated November 28, 2004, and prepared by Gregg M. Rothstein, R.A.
The Commission reviewed the drawings and written specifications and found that the awnings will be installed in
accordance with the provisions of RCNY Title 63 Section 2-12 (f), that the awning will have a straight slope and
be open at the sides; that the attachment of the awning will not cause the loss of, damage to, or hide or obscure
any significant feature; that the underside of the awning shall be open; that the awning shall be clad only with
water repellant canvas with a matte finish; and that the proposal approved by the Commission has been
maintained. Based on this and the above findings, the drawings have been marked approved with a perforated
seal and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-3791 is being issued.

Please note that Notice of Violation 02-0505, issued September 12, 2002 for "the removal of shopfront and
installation of fixed awning ("Accord Footwork") without permit(s)," and Notice of Violation 0507, issued
September 12, 2002 for "the installation of louvers at 5th floor center window without permit(s)"will remain in
effect against the property until the work is completed and inspected for compliance.

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 Mishael Shabrami.




Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Gregg Rothstein

cc: Jared Knowles, Deputy Director of Preservation/LPC; Kelsey Tardiff, Violations Officer/LPC


PAGE 2
Issued: 10/22/07
DOCKET: 08-3107

Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.