Landmark building permit details
| Location | 61 BANK STREET, MANHATTAN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | May 16, 2008 |
| (?) COFA | COFA 08-9800 |
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 | 08-8687 |
| Historic district | Greenwich Village |
| Landmark name | N/A |
| Expiration date | April 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 April 15, 2008, following the Public Hearing of the December 18, 2007, voted to approve a proposal for work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed March 20, 2008, and as you were informed in Status Update Letter 08-8908, issued on April 16, 2008 (LPC 08-2837). This approval will expire April 15, 2014. The proposed work, as approved, consists of constructing a rooftop addition with rooftop condensing units and dunnage at the main building; installing a rooftop deck and glass railings at the front and back parapets at the rooftop of the main building; extending the masonry chimneys to the top of the adjacent building with new brick masonry to match the side façade of the adjacent building; installing an elevated metal deck at the 1st floor at the rear façade of the main building; removing windows, doors and sliding doors, modifying the openings, and installing new wood french doors at the basement and 1st floor at the rear façade of the main building; modifying window openings by raising the head and installing new two-over-two double-hung wood windows at the 3rd floor at the rear façade of the main building and front façade of the backhouse; modifying window openings by lowering the sill and installing new wood french doors at the 1st floor at the front façade of the backhouse; excavating a portion of the courtyard and constructing a below-grade addition with a rooftop planting bed and light well with decorative metal grates at the courtyard grade; retaining the existing metal gate at the courtyard passageway opening at the front façade of the main building and modifying the passageway within by re-constructing the floor by stepping down to the lowered courtyard; enlarging and lowering the existing areaway at the rear façade of the main building to the height of the walk-out basement and modified courtyard passageway and installing new stairs up to the modified courtyard; modifying the passageway opening at the rear façade of the main building by lowering the threshold and infilling a portion of the opening above with brick masonry to match existing while retaining the historic lintel at its original location; lowering the existing areaway at the front façade of the backhouse and installing new stairs up to the modified courtyard; installing new stairs up to 1st floor of the back building to accommodate the modified courtyard; removing the roof structure, raising the front façade of the backhouse, and constructing a new translucent solar panel roof with mechanical units and dunnage; installing new wood cornices painted black at the rear façade of the main building and front façade of the backhouse. The proposal, as originally presented, called for enclosing the opening of the courtyard passageway with a door, excavating the entire courtyard and constructing an uncovered light well shaft at the courtyard. The proposal was shown in historic photographs and existing condition photographs, and presentation drawings dated December 18, 2007 and April 15, 2008, prepared by Richard Allon Architect and Moulin & Associates, submitted as components of the application and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting. In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Greenwich Village Historic District designation report describes 61 Bank Street as a Greek Revival style rowhouse built in 1840, with a backhouse built in 1841; and that the building's scale, style, materials, and details are among the features which contribute to the special architectural and historic character of the Greenwich Village Historic District. With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the proposed alterations to the passageway, including grade changes and lowering of the rear openings will retain the front gate and maintain the historic function of the courtyard passageway and preserve the original visual connection from the sidewalk to the open courtyard; that the proposed additions and alterations at the main building and backhouse will not be visible from a public thoroughfare; that the massing of the proposed one-story rear addition and rooftop addition, set back from the front and rear facades, will not overwhelm the scale of this individual rowhouse; that the visible masonry chimney extensions will attach to the adjacent building, matching its brick, and therefore visually associate with the adjacent large apartment building; that the installation of translucent panels at the roof of the backhouse will recall artist's studios lofts prevalent in the district, and will not cause the removal of significant historic fabric; that the proposed enlargement of openings and alterations to the masonry wall and cornice at the courtyard-facing facades will maintain the hierarchy of the original fenestration pattern and recall the scale of openings, and the proportions and level of detail, typically found at the rear façade of buildings of this age and style; that the proposed underground connection between the two buildings will be substantially set back from one side of the rear yard with planting beds above, minimizing the impact of excavation on adjoining buildings; that the creation of the partial cellar, with flush decorative grilles above the open light-well, will maintain the presence of the courtyard and its relationship with both buildings, even at a lower grade; and that while the grade will change, its relationship to the front and backhouse will be largely maintained. 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 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 May 7, 2008, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received underpinning drawings, prepared by Louis Silbert, PE, supplemental sketch drawing SK1, dated 4/28/08, manufacturer's cut sheets, and final drawings A-F0 through A-F15, issued 4/17/08, prepared by Richard Allon Architect and Moulin & Associates. Staff reviewed the drawings and found that the work approved by the Commission has been maintained. The work also includes, at the Bank Street façade, removing nine (9) two-over-two double-hung replacement windows and installing new wood windows painted black to match existing at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors; at the courtyard facades, removing six (6) replacement windows and installing new two-over-two double-hung wood windows painted black at the 2nd floor at the main building and backhouse; removing masonry infill at one (1) original window opening and installing a new two-over-two double-hung wood window to match existing at the 1st floor above the courtyard passageway at the main building; removing the existing metal railing and installing new decorative metal railing at the 1st floor french doors and at the areaway at courtyard façade at the backhouse; removing the existing fire escapes at the courtyard façades at the main building and backhouse; and interior alterations at the cellar, basement, 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. With regard to this additional work, staff finds, in accordance with the provisions set forth in Title 63 of the Rules PAGE 2 Issued: 5/16/08 DOCKET: 08-8687 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, material and finish; and that the new windows at the secondary façades will not be visible from any public thoroughfare, that they will be installed in existing openings, and that they will not replace "special" windows, as defined in the Rules. Furthermore, staff finds that that the removal of the existing fire escapes will eliminate unsympathetic alterations that detract from the significant architectural features of the buildings, without causing the removal of any historic fabric. 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. 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: Richard Allon, R.A. PAGE 3 Issued: 5/16/08 DOCKET: 08-8687 |
Added to EveryBlock on July 1, 2008.
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