Landmark permit issued for 79 FIFTH AVENUE, MANHATTAN in LADIES' MILE

Landmark building permit details

Location 79 FIFTH AVENUE, MANHATTAN
Issue date November 28, 2007
(?) COFA COFA 08-5278

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 08-3902
Historic district Ladies' Mile
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date October 9, 2013
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 October 9, 2007 following the Public Hearing of the same date, voted to
approve a proposal for work at the subject premises with modifications, as put forward in your application
completed on September 13, 2007, and as you were informed in the Status Update Letter issued on October 9,
2007 (SUL 08-3861, LPC 08-0498). This approval will expire on October 9, 2013.

The proposed work, as approved, consists of removing the existing stucco, metal and glass infill at the second
southernmost storefront on the Fifth Avenue façade; installing a new metal and glass storefront to match the
adjacent storefront to the south, consisting of display windows, decorative bulkheads, recessed entrance doors
and tripartite transom frame with louvers, all finished to match the other storefronts at the building, a tile entry
surface, and a back painted glass transom with a painted sign ("Free People"); and installing a 12"x34" bracket
sign ("Free People") installed at the new transom frame. The work was shown drawings A3 and A5, a partial
building elevation, color rendering, and existing conditions photographs, all submitted as components of the
application and presented at the Public Meeting and Public Hearing. The proposal as initially presented to the
Commission featured a 14"x36" bracket sign.

In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Ladies' Mile Historic District Designation Report
describes 79 Fifth Avenue as a Beaux-Arts style store, loft and office building designed by Albert S. Gottlieb and
built in 1904-06; and that in terms of its style, scale, materials, and details, it contributes to the special
architectural and historic character for which the Ladies' Mile Historic District was designated.

With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the removal of the existing metal and stucco storefront
will not result in the removal of significant historic fabric; that the design of the proposed storefront infill will be
based on the historic storefronts and recent Commission-approvals, and will help unify the design of the ground
floor storefronts; that restoring the tripartite transom, decorative bulkhead grilles, and paneled metal framing will
restore this storefront closer to its historic appearance, and strengthen its relationship to the base of the building;
that the proposed storefront will be harmonious with, and complement the existing and historic storefronts; that
the placement of the transom and louver relates to dropped ceiling conditions and corresponds to the positions of
louvers and transoms in the adjacent Commission-approved storefront; that the non-illuminated signage painted
on a glazed transom is in keeping with signage historically found in this district, is in keeping with the scale of
the storefront, and will not call undue attention to itself; and that the work will enhance the special character of
the Ladies' Mile 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 the proposal with modifications.

The Commission made its determination subject to the following stipulations: that the size of the proposed
bracket sign is reduced; and that two signed and sealed copies of the Department of Buildings drawings for the
approved work be submitted to the staff of the Commission for review and approval.

Subsequently, on November 14, 2007, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings A1, A3,
and A5 dated issued November 12, 2007 and prepared by David Levy, R.A. The Commission reviewed the
drawings and found that the bracket sign has been reduced in size; 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 08-5278 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 Joshua Speakman.




Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Edward Ballus, Rethy Associates

cc: C. Kane Levy- Deputy Director of Preservation; David Levy- David Levy & Associates




PAGE 2
Issued: 11/28/07
DOCKET: 08-3902

Added to EveryBlock on February 1, 2008.

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