Landmark permit issued for 52 LIVINGSTON STREET, BROOKLYN in BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
Landmark building permit details
| Location | 52 LIVINGSTON STREET, BROOKLYN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | August 16, 2007 |
| (?) COFA | COFA 08-1933 |
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 | 08-0225 |
| Historic district | Brooklyn Heights |
| Landmark name | N/A |
| Expiration date | August 16, 2011 |
| 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 August 14, 2007, following the Public Hearing of August 7, 2007, voted to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed July 12, 2007. The proposed work, as approved, consists of removing the light-colored stucco cladding from the front facade, exposing the underlying brickwork at the first and second floors; replacing the light-colored, stucco coating at the facade of the third floor addition with brownstone stucco; replacing the wood pier at the porch steps with a brownstone stucco replica; repainting the windows dark green (Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green); repainting the wood panels beneath the windows and iron-work at the facade and porch dark green (Benjamin Moore Essex Green); repainting the wood cornice and porch light brown (Benjamin Moore Ashley Gray); and repainting the panel behind the lattice work at the porch light brown (Benjamin Moore 1007 Beigewood). The work was shown on four presentation boards, labeled 1-4; dated July 27, 2007; and consisting of drawings, photographs, and finish samples, all prepared by Porter Clapp Architects, PC, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting. In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that 52 Livingston Street is a Gothic Revival style house built in 1846; and that the building's style, scale, materials and details are among the features that contribute to the special architectural and historic character of the historic district. The Commission also noted that the facade was stuccoed and a third floor was added to the building in the late 19th Century or early 20th Century; that Permit for Minor Work 07-9413 (LPC 07-6703) was issued June 18, 2007 for exterior alterations, including patching stucco at the front facade; that Miscellaneous/Amendments 08-0353 (LPC 07-9456) was issued July 10, 2007 for replacing stucco throughout the facade; and that the condition of the underlying brickwork was found to be intact during the removal of the stucco approved under these permits. With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that although the stucco coating is an early alteration to the design of the building, it is not a significant alteration or integral to the composition of the façade; that the removal of the stucco coating will reveal significant, original features, including the wood door surround and panels beneath the windows, as well as portions of the profiles and details of the label molds and cornice, currently concealed by the stucco; that the application of a brownstone stucco coating, matching the color and texture of brownstone elements throughout the façade, at the existing addition will support a unified appearance of the façade, in keeping with the character of the building; that the proposed paint finishes will harmonize with the masonry finishes of the building and will be in keeping with the color palette of buildings at this type, style and age; and that this work will support the special architectural and historic character of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the work to be appropriate to the building and the historic district and voted to approve the application. The Commission authorized the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness upon receipt, review and approval of two sets of final drawings showing the approved design. Subsequently, on August 14, 2007, the Commission received written specifications, dated August 14, 2007, and signed and sealed copies of presentation drawings 1-4, dated July 27, 2007 and prepared by Terry B. Porter, RA. Accordingly, staff reviewed these materials and noted that they include work previously approved under Permit for Minor Work 07-9413, including refinishing the entrance doors and replacing porch roofing, decking, flashing, gutters and leaders, as well as new work, consisting of removing remnants of paint from the masonry, utilizing a chemical paint stripper and low pressure water rinse; patching the damaged brownstone stucco label molds, lintels and sills with a brownstone stucco cementitious mix; repointing the brickwork, as necessary; resurfacing the basement level facade, beneath the porch with a brownstone stucco cementitious mix; painting the basement entrance door dark green; replacing the existing lattice with a new unpainted cedar lattice; and installing copper capping at the top of the wood cornice and at the setback above the second floor cornice, as well as utilizing copper, instead of the previously approved lead-coated copper at the porch roofing. With regard to this work, staff found that the paint stripping will utilize the gentlest, effective methods available and will help reveal the texture and finish of the masonry; that the documentation reveals that sections of the existing brownstone are deteriorated; that the original texture, color, profiles and details will be replicated; that the damaged stone will be cut back to sound stone and the new surface keyed into the sound stone and built up in successive layers using a cementitious mix with the top layer tinted to match the original brownstone texture and color; that all pointing will be compatible with the historic masonry in terms of composition, and will match the original mortar in terms of color, texture, and tooling; that the methods and materials proposed by the applicant have been provided in the form of specifications; that the alterations to the facade and basement level door will not alter, conceal or eliminate any significant features of the building and will be largely concealed from view from a public thoroughfare by the porch and lattice; that the replacement lattice will be in keeping with the style and placement of lattices beneath porches of buildings of this type, style and age; that the material and finish of the unpainted cedar will harmonize with the material and finish palette of the porch; that the cap flashing at the cornice and setback will help protect the cornice from damage due to water infiltration; and that the uncoated copper roofing will match the historic roofing in material and be in keeping with the finish of porch roofing at building's of this type, style and age. Additionally, staff found that the design approved by the Commission has been maintained. Based on these and the above findings, the drawings have been marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-1933 is being issued. PLEASE NOTE: This permit is contingent on the work being performed when the temperature remains a constant 45 degrees Fahrenheit or above for a 72 hour period from the commencement of the work; and upon the Commission's review and approval of a detail drawing of the brownstone stucco porch base; sample installation of the capping at the cornice and setback; finish samples of the brownstone stucco; and repointing samples prior to the commencement of work. Please forward the detail drawing to the Commission staff and contact the staff when field samples are ready in order to schedule a site visit. 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 PAGE 2 Issued: 8/16/07 DOCKET: 08-0225 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 Bernadette Artus. Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Terry Porter, RA, Porter Clapp Architects cc: Caroline Kane Levy, Deputy Director of Preservation; Terry Porter, RA PAGE 3 Issued: 8/16/07 DOCKET: 08-0225 |
Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.