Landmark permit issued for 415 WEST 21ST STREET, MANHATTAN in CHELSEA

Landmark building permit details

Location 415 WEST 21ST STREET, MANHATTAN
Issue date July 25, 2007
(?) COFA COFA 08-1108

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 08-0698
Historic district Chelsea
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date March 21, 2012
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 March 21, 2006, following the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of the
same date, voted to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work at the subject premises, as put
forth in your application completed on February 23, 2006. This permit will expire on March 21, 2012.

The work, as approved, at the rear façade, consists of legalizing the removal of a masonry stoop and railing at the
first floor and construction of a new steel and wood deck and stairs; the removal of the existing concrete steps at
the basement and the installation of new concrete steps and landings with bluestone veneer treads, risers, and
pavers; removal of roll down gates at the first floor; removal of the existing windows and doors at the basement,
first, and third floors, and, at the basement, installation of new paired wood casement window in an enlarged
opening, a new wood casement window in an existing opening, and a pair of French doors in an existing opening;
at the first floor, the installation of a wood infill panel and a new paired wood casement window in an enlarged
opening and the installation of a new pair of French doors with sidelights in an enlarged opening; and at the third
floor, the installation of three French doors in enlarged openings. This work was shown in photo boards and
drawings LM-1, dated February 3, 2006, revised February 10, 2006; LM-2, dated December 9, 2005, revised
February 10, 2006; and LM-3, dated March 21, 2006, prepared by Hottenroth + Joseph Architects, and submitted
as components of the application, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meetings.

In reviewing this proposal, the Commission notes that the Chelsea Historic District designation report describes
415 West 21st Street as one of a row of three Greek Revival-style houses built in 1843 for James Phelan; and that
in terms of its style, scale, materials and details the building contributes to the special historic and architectural
character of the Chelsea Historic District. The Commission also notes that Warning Letter 06-0354 was issued
1/12/2006 for "Alterations to door at rear facade without permit(s);" Warning Letter 06-0355 was issued 1/12/06
for "Installation of grille at rear facade without permit(s);" Warning Letter 06-0356 was issued 1/12/06 for
"Replacement of windows at rear facade without permit(s);" and Warning Letter 06-0357 was issued 1/12/06 for
"Commencement of work while permit (LPC06-4147) pending."

With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the proposed modifications to the window openings will
not result in the elimination of significant historic fabric, and will not alter the character of the rear wall; that the
rear façade is only minimally visible through a parking lot on West 22nd Street, and therefore, the work will not
detract from the streetscape; that the proposed deck will face into a parking lot and will not extend past adjacent
structures and the new stairs will minimally project into the rear yard, and therefore, the work will not detract
from the character of the central greenspace; and that adjacent buildings in the row have already been
substantially altered, so that the work will not alter the building's historic relationship to adjacent buildings in the
row. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed work to be appropriate to the building
and voted to approve it.

However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission made its determination subject to the stipulation that
two sets of final signed and sealed drawings, showing the approved work, which are to be filed at the Department
of Buildings, be submitted to the staff of the Commission for review and approval.

Subsequently, on June 27 2007, the staff of the Commission received drawings F0.0, and F1.0 through F5.0,
dated October 14, 2005, revised June 14, 2007; F6.0 and F7.1 through F7.5, dated December 9, 2005, revised
June 14, 2007; prepared by David Richard Hottenroth, R.A. The Commission staff noted that the drawings
included additional work, including, interior alterations, including the demolition and construction of interior
non-bearing partitions and finishes at the cellar through 3rd floor, including upgrading the plumbing, electrical,
and mechanical systems. The Commission reviewed the submitted drawings and found that 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 08-1108 is being issued.

Please note that Warning Letters 06-0354, 06-0356, and 06-0357 are rescinded by the issuance of this permit.

Please also note that the work to resolve Warning Letter 06-0355 is covered under Certificate of No Effect
06-6606 (LPC 06-5895) issued March 31, 2006.

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 Rob Panepinto.




PAGE 2
Issued: 7/25/07
DOCKET: 08-0698
Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Jennifer Capp, CODE LLC

cc: Jennifer Capp; Sarah Carroll, Director of Preservation; William Neeley, Deputy Director of Preservation;
Diane Simonson, Enforcement Officer




PAGE 3
Issued: 7/25/07
DOCKET: 08-0698

Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.

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