Landmark permit issued for 655 6TH AVENUE, MANHATTAN in Ladies' Mile
Landmark building permit details
| Location | 655 6TH AVENUE, MANHATTAN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | April 22, 2008 |
| (?) COFA | COFA 08-9122 |
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 | 07-6747 |
| Historic district | Ladies' Mile |
| Landmark name | N/A |
| Expiration date | N/A |
| 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 February 13, 2007, following the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of January 9, 2007, voted to approve a proposal for work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed December 14, 2006, and as you were informed in the Status Update Letter issued on March 12, 2007 (SUL 07-6693, LPC 07-3512). This approval will expire February 13, 2013. The proposed work, as approved, consists of establishing a Master Plan for the replacement of storefront infill and installation of signage at the first floor, including removing the existing non-historic wood storefront infill; installing metal caps over the existing non-historic columns at the 6th Avenue façade and corners; maintaining and repairing the existing cast iron columns at the north façade; installing a new metal cornice above the storefronts; installing new metal storefront infill consisting of paired doors, display windows recessed bulkheads, and glazed transoms; and installing signage at the transoms consisting of metal frames to support changeable 15-inch tall metal letters and back lighting to be determined; as shown in drawings H-1, A-1 through A-9, and X-1 presented January 9, 2007 and H-1, X-0, X-1, A-0 through A-9, and P-1 presented February 13, 2007, all submitted as components of the application, and presented at the Public Meeting and Public Hearing. The proposal as initially presented included non-recessed bulkheads and different details for the metal caps and storefront cornice. In reviewing the proposal, the Commission noted that the Ladies' Mile Historic District Designation describes 655 6th Avenue as a neo-Grec style department building designed by Mortimer C. Merritt and built in 1887; and that in terms of its style, scale, materials and details, the building 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 removal of the existing storefront infill will not result in the loss of or damage of any significant historic fabric; that the establishment of a storefront Master Plan will ensure unity of the storefront design and materials in the building's base over time; that the design of the new metal storefront piers will match the remaining historic cast iron piers at the north ground floor façade; that the configuration of the storefront infill, consisting of paired doors, display windows, low bulkheads, and transoms, is in keeping with the configuration of storefronts historically found on buildings of this age and style; that the recessed bulkheads will impart a depth and layering evocative of historic projecting storefronts; that the new storefront cornice will recall the original in terms of location and design; that the size and scale of the individually mounted, halo lit letters is in keeping with the scale of the storefronts and the building; and that the proposed storefronts will maintain the rhythm and transparency of storefronts historically found on this building; and that the proposed work will not diminish the special architectural and historic character of the Ladies' Mile Historic District. 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, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission stipulated that a set of unmounted copies of the presentation drawings and 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 April 22, 2008, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings A-0 through A-9, including A-8A and A-9A dated April 17, 2008 and prepared by Sherida Paulsen R.A. Accordingly, staff reviewed the drawings and found that the proposal approved by the Commission has been maintained. Based on this and the above findings, the drawings are marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-9122 is being issued. This permit is issued contingent upon the Commission's review and approval of shop drawings for the new metal caps and cornice; color chips for the finish of the metal caps, cornice, and infill; and additional information regarding the lighting of the signage. This material should be submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission when they become available. This Master Plan sets a standard for replacement of storefront infill and signage and specifically identifies drawings which describe the approved Master Plan in detail. If the owner wishes to move forward with a portion of the work covered by the Master Plan, a completed application form is filed with the Commission indicating the location of the work and location specific drawings showing that the work will conform to the approved Master Plan drawings and other documents on file with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The staff of the Preservation Department will review the application to ascertain that all proposed work is covered by the Master Plan, and will then send the owner an "Authorization to Proceed" letter. The Authorization to Proceed is sent prior to the commencement of the work and is contingent on adherence to the approved Master Plan. 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 Joshua Speakman. PAGE 2 Issued: 4/22/08 DOCKET: 07-6747 Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Sherida Paulsen, Pasanella & Klein Stolzman & Berg Arch. cc: Sarah Carroll- Director of Preservation PAGE 3 Issued: 4/22/08 DOCKET: 07-6747 |
Added to EveryBlock on May 30, 2008.