Landmark building permit details
| Location | 16 WEST 21ST STREET, MANHATTAN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | April 10, 2008 |
| (?) COFA | COFA 08-8556 |
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 | 08-6700 |
| Historic district | Ladies' Mile |
| Landmark name | N/A |
| Expiration date | January 15, 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 15, 2008, following the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of December 11, 2007, voted to approve a proposal for the demolition of an existing of a two -story garage structure, and the construction of a new 14-story building with a cast-glass facade, as you were informed in Status Update Letter 07-76491 (LPC 07-4052), issued April 17, 2007. This approval will expire on January 15, 2014. The work, as approved, consists of the demolition of the existing two-story structure, and the construction of a new 14-story building with a cast tri-partite glass facade, with a base, shaft and crown, and two separate entrances at the ground floor flanking a show window. As initially presented, the design consisted of a 14-story building without a defined building base, with only one entrance at the ground floor, and a glass canopy; as shown in drawings labeled 1 through 15, dated December 10, 2007, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of December 11, 2007, and drawings labeled 1 through 15, dated January 15, 2008, and presented at the Public Meeting of January 15, 2008, all prepared by Morris Adjmi Architects, and submitted as components of the application. In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Ladies' Mile Historic District Designation Report describes 16 West 21st Street as a two-story brick garage, designed by George W. Swiller and constructed in 1942; and that it is not one for which the Ladies' Miles Historic District was designated. The Commission further noted that the historical development of the Ladies' Miles Historic District may be divided into several phases, including residential development in the 1830's and 40's which included residences and stable buildings; early commercial development in the late 1850's through the early 1870's, which also saw the commercial adaptation of some residential buildings and stables; the development of large department stores in the late 1890's through 1915, and a small amount of development after World War 1, typically large loft buildings and the conversion of older buildings to manufacturing use; that many streets combine buildings from several or all of these periods, with taller buildings facing the avenues of the major cross-town streets, such as 14th and 23rd; and that the facades of the taller buildings frequently feature a strongly articulated base, shaft, and crown. With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the existing building does not contribute to the character of the street and does not have historic merit in itself, and therefore its demolition will not diminish the special architectural and historic character of the Ladies' Miles Historic District; that the height and massing of the proposed new building will fit within the variations of height and massing of buildings representing the different phases of development in this historic district; that the overall development of the tripartite facade into base, shaft, and crown reflects a typical pattern of facades within the Ladies' Miles Historic District; that the proposed glass facade will be a contemporary evocation of the taller historic buildings in this historic district, and molded glass will recall the features which are found on historic buildings of a similar scale, including a heavy frame, articulated as masonry, flanking an internal composition of columns, metal spandrels, and windows; that the detailing of the proposed facade will provide a level of depth and articulation that is found on the historic buildings within this historic district, using materials of the early 21st century; that the detailing of the ground floor infill; that the detailing of the top floor will provide a silhouette and termination that will recall the depth and silhouette of historic cornices; and that for these reasons, the proposed demolition and new construction are in keeping with the streetscape and the Ladies' Miles Historic District. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed work to be appropriate to the building and the Ladies Mile Historic District and voted to approve it, with certain modifications. In voting to approve this proposal, the Commission stipulated that the base of the facade be adjusted so that the columns at the third floor better align with the columns below, or that a heavier cornice be introduced to more clearly separate the alignment of the columns below the third floor from those above. The Commission authorized the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness upon the submission of two complete sets of DOB filing drawings for the approved work incorporating the required change, along with two CDs of the presentation materials. Subsequently, on April 18, 2008, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings labeled A001, A002, A003, A004, A005, A006, D101, D201, A101, A102, A103, A111, A112, A113, A121, A122, A123, A201, A202, 2203, A301, A311, A312, A504, A505, A601, A602, A610, A611, A612, A613, A620, dated march 5, 2008, prepared by Morris Adjmi R.A., drawings labeled S001, S002, S003, S101, S102, S103, S201, S301, dated March 5, 2008, prepared by Michael Guilfoyle P.E., drawings 1 and 2, dated March 27, 2008, prepared by Gregory Pillori P.E., and drawings labeled M-1 through M-7, E-1 through E-8, P-1 through P-10, SP-1 through SP-6, FA-1 through FA-4, dated March 5, 2008, prepared by Opie Athwal P.E. Accordingly, staff reviewed the drawings and found that the base of the facade has been adjusted so that the columns at the third floor will better align with the columns below; and that the proposal approved by the Commission has been maintained. Based on this and the above findings, the drawings have been marked approved with a perforated seal and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-8556 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 Tenzing Chadotsang. PAGE 2 Issued: 4/10/08 DOCKET: 08-6700 Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Morris Adjmi, Morris Adjmi Architects cc: Caroline Kane Levy, Deputy Director of Preservation, LPC. PAGE 3 Issued: 4/10/08 DOCKET: 08-6700 |
Added to EveryBlock on April 25, 2008.
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