Landmark permit issued for 52 WEST 21ST STREET, MANHATTAN in Ladies' Mile

Landmark building permit details

Location 52 WEST 21ST STREET, MANHATTAN
Issue date June 9, 2008
COFA COFA 08-9840
Docket 07-8247
Historic district Ladies' Mile
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date April 15, 2014
Text ISSUED TO:
Thomas Lombardo
The House of Portfolios Co., Inc.
52 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010


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 and Public Meeting of
February 5, 2008, voted to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness approving alterations to the facade and
installing windows, a cornice, and new storefronts at the subject premises; as put forth in your application
completed on January 10, 2008. This permit will expire on April 15, 2014.


The work, as approved, consists removing non-historic storefront infill, window sash and frames, and façade
cladding; installing a new cornice, metal spandrel panels above the third, fourth, and fifth floors, new aluminum
windows consisting of a fixed center sash flanked by casements at the second through fifth floors, a secondary
cornice at the third floor level, new metal and glass storefront infill, featuring transom windows, paneled
bulkheads, and a sign band above the storefront, within a spandrel panel featuring moldings to match the upper
spandrel panels. This work was shown in photo boards, renderings, and drawings 1 and 2, dated September 28,
2007; 2a, dated December 1, 2007; 3, 4, 5, and 6, dated January 22, 2008; 3a and 3ai (by staff), dated February
25, 2008; 5a and 5ai (by staff), dated March 7, 2008; and 7, dated January 10, 2008; prepared by Marcel de
Winter Architects, and submitted as components of the application, and presented at the Public Hearing and
Public Meetings. The work as originally presented included a tri-partite upper spandrel panel, full height clear,
etched, and frosted glass storefront infill and residential entry doors, and a larger sign band; as shown in photo
boards, renderings, and drawings 1 and 2, dated September 28, 2007; 2a, dated December 1, 2007; 3, dated
January 16, 2008; 4and 7, dated January 10, 2008; and 5 and 6, dated January 22, 2008; prepared by Marcel de
Winter Architects.


In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Ladies' Mile Historic District designation report
describes 52 West 21st Street as a dwelling built in 1862 and converted to a commercial building with a brick and
iron facade designed by A. Siegal in 1910-1911; and that in terms of its style, scale, materials, design, and details
the building contributes to the special architectural and historic character of the Ladies' Mile Historic District.


With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the façade is highly deteriorated and that its distinct
early 20th century cladding was removed prior to designation; that the removal of the masonry infill at the second
floor and from the spandrel panels above the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors will aid in restoring the historic window
proportions; that the proposed façade will maintain the building line of the West 21st Street wall; that the cornice
and spandrels are modern interpretations of elements typically found on buildings of this age and style; that the
proposed aluminum windows will restore the original configuration of the fenestration; that the tripartite windows
at the 2nd floor will relate well to the windows on the upper floors and with the tripartite configuration often
found at the 2nd floor of similar buildings in this historic district; that the panel detail at the sign band will relate
harmoniously to the spandrel panels at the upper floors; that the new storefront will retain the historic cast iron
piers and that the new infill will fit within the openings framed by these piers; that the configuration of the
storefront infill is in keeping with storefronts historically found on buildings of this age and style within the
historic district; that the size, placement and type of the proposed signage located within the signband, will relate
to signage found on historic storefronts; and that the proposed work will enhance the special architectural and
historic character of the building and the Ladies Mile Historic District. Based on these findings, the Commission
determined the proposed work to be appropriate to the building and voted to approve it.


However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission made its determination subject that two sets of final
signed and sealed drawings, showing the approved work, which are to be filed at the Department of Buildings, be
submitted to the staff of the Commission for review and approval.


Subsequently, on May 1, 2008, the staff of the Commission received drawings A-200, dated April 16, 2008,
prepared by Louis Marcel de Winter, R.A. The Commission reviewed the submitted drawings and found that the
proposal approved by the Commission has been maintained. Therefore, these drawings are being marked
approved by the Commission with a perforated seal, and this Certificate of Appropriateness is being issued.


Please note that this permit is issued contingent upon the Commission's receipt, review and approval of two sets
of the shop drawings for the proposed storefront infill and the design and installation of the metal spandrel panels.
When these materials are ready, please submit them to William Neeley.

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 William Neeley.




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Issued: 6/9/08
DOCKET: 07-8247
Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Marcel de Winter




PAGE 3
Issued: 6/9/08
DOCKET: 07-8247

Added to EveryBlock on July 1, 2008.

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