Landmark permit issued for 121 WEST 69TH STREET, MANHATTAN in UPPER WEST SIDE-CPW

Landmark building permit details

Location 121 WEST 69TH STREET, MANHATTAN
Issue date June 13, 2007
(?) COFA COFA 07-9169

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 07-8680
Historic district Upper West Side - CPW
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date April 3, 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 April 3, 2007, following the Public Hearing, voted to grant a Certificate of
Appropriateness for the proposed work at the subject premises, as put forth in your application completed on
March 8, 2007. This permit will expire on April 3, 2013.

The work, as approved consists of constructing a straight-run stoop constructed of concrete block with a
cementitious top coating to replicate the color, texture, detail and finish of the brownstone facade, featuring one
curved side wall and a newel post, and creating an areaway; as shown in presentation boards consisting of photo
boards, current condition photographs, block plan and existing and proposed drawings, numbered L-1 through
L08, dated April 3, 2007, prepared by James Wagman, project architect, and submitted as components of the
application, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting.

In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted the Upper West Side / Central Park West Historic District
designation report describes 121 West 69th Street as a Renaissance Revival style rowhouse with Romanesque
Revival style elements designed by Thom & Wilson, and built in 1891, and altered in 1919 by George F. Pelham;
and that the building's scale, style, materials, and details are among the features that contribute to the special
architectural and historic character of the Upper West Side / Central Park West Historic District. The Commission
also noted that the building originally had a stoop, which was removed in the 1919 façade alteration by noted
architect George F. Pelham. The Commission finally noted that Notice of Violation 96-0534, issued on May 20,
1996, for "the installation of new windows at the third floor without Landmarks Preservation Commission
permits"; Notice of Violation 06-0031, issued on July 21, 2005, for "Painting first and second floor facade
without permit(s)"; and Notice of Violation 06-0032, issued on July 21, 2005, for "Alterations to first floor
windows without permit(s)".
With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that while the building was altered in 1919 by noted architect
George F. Pelham, the removal of the stoop at that time diminished the architectural character of the building, and
the installation of a stoop on the front elevation will restore a significant missing architectural feature; that the
materials and details of the proposed stoop and areaway paving will be harmonious with the historic fabric,
without imitating the original; that the configuration of the proposed stoop is in keeping with others found on
West 89th Street and within the historic district; that the proposed design will replicate the shape of the banister
rail and footprint found on the historic drawings of the original stoop and will relate well to the 1919 design of
the first two floors; and that the presence of a stoop on this building will enhance the special architectural and
historic character of the building, the streetscape and the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District.
Based on these findings, the Commission determined that the work is appropriate to the building and to the
historic district, and voted to approve it.

However, in voting to grant this approval, the Landmarks Preservation Commission made its determination
subject to the condition that that two sets of final signed and sealed drawings showing the approved proposal,
which will be filed with the Department of Buildings, be submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission
for review and approval.

Subsequently, on June 1, 2007 the Commission received two sets of a final stamped and signed drawing labeled
A-000, A-001, A-002, A-003, A-100 through A-007, A-400, A-401, A-500, A-501, A-800 through A-807,
A-900, A-901, H-100, H-101, FP-100, FP-101 and FP-102, dated last issued May 18, 2007, prepared by James S.
Wagman, R.A. and S-101 and S-102, dated May 19, 2007, prepared by Rohen Sharon, P.E. The Commission
staff noted that the drawings included additional work, consisting of interior alterations and removing and
reconfiguring existing floor joists; restorative work to the façade including replacing deteriorated brownstone,
installing wood window, repointing, installing light fixtures, and reconstructing a retaining wall at the rear. The
Commission reviewed the submitted drawings and found 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 contingent upon the Commission's review and approval of on-site test samples of the finish
coat of the brownstone stucco sample adjacent to original brownstone, and which is located on the subject
premises, prior to the commencement of the work, as well as required shop drawings for the windows, all prior to
the commencement of the work. Please contact the Landmarks Preservation Commission staff when the samples
are ready in order to arrange a site visit.

Please note that Notice of Violation 96-0534, Notice of Violation 06-0031 and Notice of Violation 06-0032, will
remain in force against the property until the work approved under this permit has been completed and inspected
for compliance. When the work has been completed, please submit a letter, accompanied by photographs of the
completed work, requesting a Notice of Compliance.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: As the approved work consists of subsurface work, the applicant is required to strictly
adhere to the Department of Buildings TPPN 10/88 governing in-ground construction adjacent to historic
buildings. It is the applicant's obligation at the time of applying for their permit to inform the Department of
Buildings that the TPPN applies.

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
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Issued: 6/13/07
DOCKET: 07-8680
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:
James Wagman, James Wagman Architect

cc: James Wagman Architect; William Neeley, Deputy Director of Preservation; Anne Carlin, Violations
Department




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Issued: 6/13/07
DOCKET: 07-8680

Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.

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