Landmark permit issued for 3 MITCHELL PLACE, MANHATTAN
Landmark building permit details
| Location | 3 MITCHELL PLACE, MANHATTAN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | March 26, 2008 |
| (?) COFA | COFA 08-7433 |
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 | 08-6265 |
| Historic district | N/A |
| Landmark name | PANHELLENIC TOWER (NOW BEEKMAN TOWER HOTEL) |
| Expiration date | March 26, 2014 |
| 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 January 8, 2008, following the Public Hearing of the same date, voted to approve a proposal for work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed on October 17, 2007, and as you were informed in Status Update Letter 08-6277, issued on January 24, 2008 (LPC #08-3125). This approval will expire October 17, 2014. The proposed work, as approved, consists of installing new through-the-wall AC units with rimless louvers, painted Benjamin Moore 2165-30 "Golden Retriever" to match the existing brick; and painting existing louvers installed prior to designation and previously approved louvers by the Landmarks Preservation Commission Benjamin Moore 2165-30 "Golden Retriever" to match the existing brick. The existing louvers will be painted in phases, as planned exterior restoration occurs. The proposal, as originally proposed, called for matching the existing bronze aluminum AC louvers. The proposal was shown in historic photographs, existing condition photos, and existing and proposed drawings, prepared by Paul Taylor, R.A., submitted as components of the application and presented at the Public Hearing. In reviewing this proposal, the Commision noted that the individual landmark designation report for Beekman Hotel a.k.a. the Panhellenic Tower states that 3 Mitchell Place is an Art Deco style skyscraper designed by John Mead Howells and built in 1927-8. The Commission further noted that the current louvers are bronze finished on the central bays at the primary elevation and that probes beneath the louvers revealed damaged brick under the flanges. With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the installation of through-the-wall air conditioners will add to the numerous existing through-the-wall units exist, therefore, the proposal for new through-the-wall HVAC units would have a minimal impact; that the through-the-wall HVAC units are set in recessed bays in vertical rows in keeping with the verticality of the building; that the proposed louvers will be flush-mounted, thereby minimizing their presence on the facade; and that the size and scale of the building will maintain its sculptural mass and solidity. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed work to be appropriate to the building and the historic district, and voted to approve this application. However, the Commission made its determination subject to the stipulation that the new through-the-wall air conditioners have rimless, architectural louvers and will be painted to match the surrounding masonry and that the existing and previously approved louvers be altered, in consultation with Landmarks Preservation Staff, in order to blend with the surrouding masonry; and that two sets of signed and sealed DOB filing drawings, revised to incorporate these changes, be submitted to the staff of the Commission. Subsequently, on February 13, 2008, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings A6.8 and A8.3, dated December 7, 2007, and drawings 2-5, dated August 21, 2007, all prepared by Paul D. Taylor, R.A. and received a letter, prepared by Timothy B. Haskin, President of Peninsula Real Estate. Staff reviewed the drawings and found that the work approved by the Commission has been maintained; and that the proposal has been amended to include exterior work at the Mitchell Place elevation, including the installation of a non-visible generator at the second floor roof on dunnage; at the fourth floor roof, the installation of a non-visible A/C; the replacement of awnings at the ground floor level; the restoration of marble bulkhead at the western elevation; and the repair of concrete steps. With regard to this proposed revisions, the Commission finds that the rooftop additions consist solely of mechanical equipment; does not result in the damage to, or demolition of, a significant architectural feature of the roof; is minimally visible from a public thoroughfare; and does not adversely affect significant architectural features of adjacent improvements; the awnings must be retractable on individual landmarks; have a straight slope; have side panels; have an unframed skirt that is proportional to the height and size of the awning; does not hide, cause the loss of or damage to, any significant feature; installed at or directly below the lintel or transom bar; length shall not exceed the length of the associated window opening and the eges of the awning must be aligned as closely as possible with th einside face of the principle piers of the window openings; the underside of the awning must be open; the lowest unframed portion of the awning shall be at least 7 feet above the sidewalk; awning shall project at an angle and be a length, size and slope which are proportional to the size and height of the window or door; shall be only clad with water repellant canvas with a matte finish; signs, such as lettering or graphics, are permitted to be painted on the awing skit only (no lettering or graphics shall be permitted on the sloped portion of the awning; the size of the lettering shall be proportional to the skirt); awning fabric shall consist of a solid color or vertical stripes that harmonize with the historic color palette of the building; and that the restoration of the marble bulkhead 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. Based on this and above findings, the drawings are marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness #08-7433 is being issued. 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 Joselito Corpus. PAGE 2 Issued: 3/26/08 DOCKET: 08-6265 Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Jerome S. Gillman Consulting cc: William Neeley, Deputy Director of Preservation, LPC PAGE 3 Issued: 3/26/08 DOCKET: 08-6265 |
Added to EveryBlock on April 25, 2008.