Landmark building permit details
| Location | 160 FIFTH AVENUE, MANHATTAN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | October 17, 2008 |
| (?) COFA | COFA 09-4639 |
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 | 09-4412 |
| Historic district | Ladies' Mile |
| Landmark name | N/A |
| Expiration date | July 17, 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 July 17, 2007, following the Public Hearing of June 19, 2007, voted to approve a proposal for work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed on June 19, 2007, and as you were informed in Status Update Letter 08-0924 issued on July 20, 2007 (LPC 07-8044). This approval will expire July 17, 2013. The proposed work, as approved, consists of new work at the existing Fifth Avenue lobby entrance, including: removing the triple-doors and installing new metal double-doors and sidelights; new work at the existing Fifth Avenue retail entrance, including: removing modern infill and installing a new retail entrance with metal and glass doors, display windows, transoms, and molded metal framing and bulkheads to match the details of mullions found at other original storefronts; new and restorative work at the existing 21st Street service bay, including: removing modern infill and restoring ornamental metalwork and mezzanine windows, removing an ornamental cast iron pier and reinstalling it as a relic within the lobby, and installing new storefront infill featuring a new lobby entrance with glass doors and fixed side panels and molded metal framing to match the details of mullions found at other original storefronts; removing a segment of the vaulted cast iron window assembly and extending the service cores at the courtyard and onto the roof; and installing signage within transoms, above storefront openings and at masonry piers at the ground floor building wide. The proposal, as originally presented, called for replacing the existing entrance surround at the existing Fifth Avenue lobby entrance, demolishing the original cast iron pier at the proposed lobby entrance at 21st Street and installing additional signage building wide. The proposal was shown in historic photographs and existing condition photographs, and presentation drawings, dated June 19, 2007 and July 20, 2007 by staff, prepared by Moed DeArmas & Shannon Architects, submitted as components of the application and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting. In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Ladies' Mile Historic District designation report describes 160 Fifth Avenue as a nine-story, neo-Renaissance style, office, store and loft building designed by Robert Henderson Robertson and built in 1891-92; 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 proposed work at the ground floor of the primary facades will eliminate unsympathetic alterations that detract from the significant architectural features of the building; that retaining the existing entrance surround at the current primary entrance on Fifth Avenue will preserve this early alteration, which is a significant feature, and that the proposed doors will be consistent with the style, materials and details of the existing entrance; that the proposed storefront infill at the typical bays will recall the historic storefronts in terms of configuration and proportions, and will restore uniformity and transparency to the ground floor; that the proposed lobby entrance at 21st Street featuring glass doors and panels will fit neatly within the storefront opening established by the masonry piers and will restore ornamental metal work and mezzanine windows above, and therefore will relate to the other storefront infill on the building and not call undue attention to itself; that the rear yard addition is an extension of service cores of a modest scale, and therefore will remove only a small segment of the vaulted cast iron window assembly at the courtyard and will not be visible from any public thoroughfare; that the removal of the original cast iron pier at the proposed lobby entrance at 21st Street and its reinstallation within the lobby as an architectural relic will preserve the significant feature; and that the proposed signage will be limited to a modest combination of pin-mounted lettering attached to masonry lintels, lettering applied within the storefront transoms, and plaques applied to masonry piers adjacent to entrances, minimizing the impact of signage on the façade. However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission stipulated that the applicants develop a program for signage in consultation with staff; and that two final signed and sealed copies of the Department of Buildings filing drawings for the approved work be submitted to the staff of the Commission for review and approval. Subsequently, on October 15, 2008, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received a paint analysis, dated 4/14/08, prepared by Jablonski Building Conservation, window shop drawings W-1 through W-6, dated 4/21/08, prepared by Artistic Doors and Windows, drawings SK-1 and SK-2, dated 9/10/08, prepared by Trias Management Services, drawings A003, A003.1, A005, A100 through A106, A150, A200 through A203, A303, A304, A350, A401, A404, A406, A500, A501, A600 through A603, A608, A609, A702 and A704, issued 9/23/08. Staff reviewed the drawings and found that that the removal of a portion of the vaulted cast iron window assembly at the courtyard has been eliminated, in substitution for the construction of the service cores inside of the building; and that the signage is not included in this submission and will be approved pursuant to a future amendment to this permit; and that the remainder of the work approved by the Commission has been maintained. The work also includes removing sixty (60) one-over-one double-hung metal clad windows and installing new wood windows painted black to match the original at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors at the Fifth Avenue and East 21st Street facades; removing one-hundred (100) two-over-two double-hung metal clad windows and installing new wood windows painted black to match the original at the 5th through 9th floors at the Fifth Avenue and East 21st Street facades; removing the deteriorated copper cornice, remaining only at the East 21st Street façade, and installing a new fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) cornice with an "Antique Patina" finish to match the original at the Fifth Avenue and East 21st Street facades; cleaning the masonry façade with a low pressure water rinse and mild detergent, and repainting gray to match existing at the Fifth Avenue and East 21st Street facades; removing louvers and roll-down doors and restoring original storefront framing, including repairing deteriorated steel and cast iron with a fiberglass resin filler (Evercoat "Rage") or replacing in kind to match the original at the ground floor storefronts at the Fifth Avenue and East 21st Street facades; and stripping paint from the cast iron and steel storefronts with a chemical membrane removal system (Dumond "Peel Away") and repainting black to match existing. The Commission notes that the original copper cornice on the Fifth Avenue façade was removed prior to designation; that the remainder of the cornice on the East 21st Street façade has been previously patched and repaired and has been altered by capping its ends; and that its deteriorated condition warrants its replacement. PAGE 2 Issued: 10/17/08 DOCKET: 09-4412 With regard to this additional work, staff finds, in accordance with the provisions set forth in Title 63 of the Rules of the City of New York, Section 3-04, that the new windows at the primary façade will match the historic windows in terms of configuration, operation, details and finish; in accordance with Section 2-17(c), that the installation of the new cornice is based upon existing physical evidence on the building, that the restoration will not cause the removal of significant historic fabric that may have been added over time, and will return these significant elements to their historic appearance. Furthermore, staff finds that that the cleaning of the masonry facades will be done in the gentlest effective method without causing damage to the masonry; and that the existing paint coating will not be stripped from the masonry. Based on this and the above findings, the drawings are marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-9800 (LPC 08-8687) is being issued. Please note that this Certificate of Appropriateness is being issued only for the work noted above, and does not include the approval of any signage. Please submit a request for an Amendment for the approval of this additional work. Please note that this permit is being issued in conjunction with Miscellaneous/Amendment 09-4633 (LPC 08-8213) issued October 17, 2008. This permit is contingent upon the Commission's review and approval of samples of ironwork and steel repairs, masonry paint finishes, and cornice and new storefront shop drawings prior to the commencement of work. Please contact Cory Herrala to schedule a site visit once samples are available for review. 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 Cory Scott Herrala. Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Millie Dominguez, Metropolis PAGE 3 Issued: 10/17/08 DOCKET: 09-4412 |
Added to EveryBlock on December 3, 2008.
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