Landmark permit issued for 224 WEST 4TH STREET, MANHATTAN in GREENWICH VILLAGE

Landmark building permit details

Location 224 WEST 4TH STREET, MANHATTAN
Issue date August 3, 2007
(?) COFA COFA 08-1351

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 08-0804
Historic district Greenwich Village
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date June 5, 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 June 5, 2007, following the Public Meeting and Public Hearing of April 3,
2007, 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 June 5, 2013.


The work, as approved, consists of removing the existing metal and glass storefront infill, stucco, granite, brick
and concrete bulkheads, stucco parging and signage at the ground floor; restoring the terra cotta and brick façade
spandrel and frieze, and installing a metal storefront with glass display windows and transoms, featuring a satin
nickel finish, a granite bulkhead with a flame finish, and two non illuminated signs, located at the transom. The
proposal as initially presented consisted of solid metal panels at the column piers, a higher granite bulkhead,
signage located at the brick spandrel and larger in size, and did not adequately address restorative work at
underlying historic fabric. This work was shown in photo boards, drawings and material samples on seven
presentation boards dated April 2, 2007 and revised eight presentation boards dated revised May 30, 2007,
prepared by Whidden Silver Inc., and submitted as components of the application, and presented at the Public
Hearing and Public Meeting.


In reviewing the application, the Commission noted that the Greenwich Village Historic District designation
report describes 224 West 4th Street as an Art Deco style commercial building designed by Phelps Barnum and
built in 1932; and that the building's style, scale, and materials are among those features which contribute to the
special architectural and historic character of the Greenwich Village Historic District. The Commission finally
noted that Certificate of Appropriateness 96-0053 was issued December 13, 1995 approving the installation of
storefront infill.
With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the removal of the modern storefront infill, exterior
signage and louvers will eliminate modern alterations which detract from the special historic and architectural
character of the building; that the repair and restoration of the original brick spandrel panel will restore significant
historic fabric and architectural elements and will be an incremental step toward restoring and re-unifying the
facade; that the materials, configuration and details of the proposed display windows, door, and transoms recall
the design and proportions of early 20th century storefront infill typically found in this historic district; that the
factory applied finish of the proposed metal storefront infill will be consistent with the Art Deco style of the
building and with other existing storefronts on the building; that the design of the ground floor infill will allow
for the retention, repair, and restoration of the ground floor piers, and large display window openings, thereby
returning the base of the building closer to a more uniform appearance; and that the proposed signage mounted
within the transom will be well-scaled to the facade, and will be consistent with the signs found elsewhere on the
building. Based on these findings, the Commission determined that the work is appropriate to the building and to
the historic district, and voted to approve this application.


However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission made its determination subject to the stipulation that
the two non-illuminated signs be reduced in size, and 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 July 25, 2007, the staff of the Commission received drawings A00.10, A00.30, A00.50, A00.31,
A00.40, A01.01, A02.01, A02,02, A03.01, A04.01, A05.01, A06.01, A09.11, A09.21, A11.00, A11.01, A11.02,
A11.03, A12.01, A12.02, A12.03, A12.04, A12.05, A12.06, A12.07, dated November 29, 2006; last revised July
10, 2007, prepared by Robert Arthur King, R.A. and S-1, S-2 and S-3, dated June 25, 2007, prepared by Angelos
Georgopoulos, P.E. and M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, P-2, SP-1, SP-2, E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, and FA-1.0, dated June 25,
2007;last revised July 19, 2007, prepared by Pasquale R. Concessi, P.E. The Commission staff noted that the
drawings included additional work, including removing the damaged concrete sidewalk and installing a new
concrete sidewalk, installing mechanical equipment on the roof, not visible from any public thoroughfare, and
interior alterations. Staff finds that the proposal approved by the Commission has been maintained. Based on
these and the above findings, 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 brick and mortar, and terra cotta
samples prior to he commencement of work. Please contact the Landmarks Preservation Commission staff to
arrange 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
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 Kim Valente.

PAGE 2
Issued: 8/3/07
DOCKET: 08-0804
Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Charles Whidden, Whidden Silver Inc.

cc: Whidden Silver Inc.; William Neeley, Deputy Director of Preservation




PAGE 3
Issued: 8/3/07
DOCKET: 08-0804

Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.

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