Landmarks

WHEREAS, 12 West 21st Street, is a twelve-story neo-Renaissance style store and loft building located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, designed and built in 1907 by Buchman and Fox, featuring classical ornamental details; and

WHEREAS, The current owner of the building is applying to LPC for approval of a new storefront for a high end Japanese restaurant, to be constructed in aluminum with an aluminum C channel and glass, the prominent vertical mullions and framing are to be painted in dark green and jet black; and

WHEREAS, There will be no exterior lighting and only four minimal signs, consisting of two small discreet plaques on the facade and two decals applied on the glass storefront; and

WHEREAS, There are two previously approved, existing flagpoles on the facade that may be used for restaurant banners, but LPC staff informed the applicant not to reference them in the application since they do not relate to the proposed renovations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval for the new storefront at 12 West 21st Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Under Section 3020.7 of the City Charter, the LPC is required to give CB5 Notice of a proposed designation:  

"In order to provide an opportunity for comment, in advance of any

  hearing on a proposed designation of a landmark, landmark site, interior

  landmark,  scenic  landmark  or  historic district, the commission shall

  send a notice of the proposed designation and the hearing  to  the  city

  planning commission, all affected community boards and the office of the

  borough president in whose borough the property or district is located," and

WHEREAS, On March 22, 2012 the LPC wrote to CB5 that a hearing was to be held on March 27, 2012 that would address the proposed Designation of Hotel Mansfield as a NYC Landmark, which would not have provided CB 5 with adequate time to review and vote on this matter at its next regularly scheduled meeting, April 12, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Hotel Mansfield is a 12-story, red-brick and limestone Beaux-Arts style hotel located on the same prestigious Midtown block as the New York Yacht club, the former Yale Club, the Harvard Club, the former Mechanics' and Tradesmen's Institute, the New York Bar Association and the Algonquin hotel, all individually designated NYC Landmarks; and

WHEREAS, Built in 1902 and designed by the architects Renwick, Aspinwall & Owen who are recognized for their design of the Colonial Revival style buildings located in the New York City Farm Colony-Seaview Hospital Historic District on Staten Island, as well as for a 1904-05 addition to James Renwick, Jr.'s Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island, which is an individually designated New York City Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The Hotel Mansfield features several hallmarks of the Beaux-Arts style, including a two-story rusticated limestone base; vertical ranks of copper-clad oriels; bold and over-scaled ornament such as quoins, cartouches, garlands, and swags and a heavy balcony supported on paired modillions beneath a copper cornice decorated with anthemia; the hotel is crowned by a curving mansard roof with three large segmental-arch dormers, and

WHEREAS, The hotel is now known as the Mansfield Hotel, the building is still in use as a hotel and remains an imposing presence on West 44 Street, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Despite the fact that the LPC Public Hearing has already taken place without CB5 being given an adequate opportunity to  review and vote on the proposed Designation, based on its historic, architectural and cultural significance. Community Board Five endorses the approval of Designation by LPC of Hotel Mansfield, 12 West 44 Street as an individual NYC Landmark, which is scheduled for an official vote by the Commissioners on April 10, 2012.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 31 East 20th Street is a building located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner is applying to LPC for approval of windows installed without obtaining LPC approval resulting in a NYC DOB violation; and

WHEREAS, The owner has indicated that he owns the adjacent building at 29 East 20th Street which also has DOB violations from failure to obtain LPC approval for various building violations; and

WHEREAS, In February 2006 CB5 voted to have LPC deny the owners' request to "legalize" the violations at 29 East 20th Street and in March 2012 CB5 voted to approve the owner removing those violations and restoring that building to the condition that the building was in prior to the renovations made without LPC approval, which resulted in the violations; and

WHEREAS, At his appearance at CB5 regarding 29 East 20th Street the owner made no mention of 31 East 20th Street and he did not appear at CB5 to discuss this building and his application to LPC; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to LPC to "legalize" the windows at 31 East 20th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Bryant Park is a New York City Scenic Landmark, designed in 1933 as a formal French style garden  by Lusby Simpson, and was reconstructed and partially redesigned by Hanna/Olin in 1988-91; and

WHEREAS, In years subsequent to the 1988-91 reconstruction, Bryant Park has become the host of special events throughout the year, which have substantially increased the number of visitors; and

WHEREAS, Upsilon Ventures, a specialty development firm with expertise in property management, marketing and production, is the operator of the skating rink (known as "The Pond"), Celsius Restaurant and the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park; and 

WHEREAS, Upsilon has applied to NYC Department of Buildings for its annual permit to operate the foregoing amenities as it has done for the past nine years and was told by DOB it is required to obtain approval from NYC LPC for a "Permanent temporary" facility permit after three years of "Temporary" permits; and

WHEREAS, Accordingly, Upsilon has applied to LPC for approval of its "placement" of temporary structures in the Park from October 1 to March 31, which includes the time for setting up and taking down the structures, although the actual time frame for operating portions of the venue is much shorter, namely, the 150 Holiday shop kiosks are open from November to the first week of January and the skating rink is open from Halloween to February; and

WHEREAS, The footprint for these activities is essentially the same from year to year with some minor changes in the configuration and size of the kiosks depending on the vendors, the installation of lighting and a movie screen set up for weekly film showings; and

WHEREAS, CB5 only reviewed the physical installation, or "Placement" from a Landmarks perspective without any evaluation of the impact of operations from a Parks standpoint, including financial benefits to Bryant Park Restoration Corp.; and

WHEREAS, CB5 recognizes that this installation has become extremely popular with New Yorkers and millions of visitors to NYC from all over the world; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval by NYC LPC of a "Permanent Temporary" facility permit for Bryant Park, 40 West 42 Street, for the placement of ice rink, restaurant, and holiday shops.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Springs Mills Building, 104 West 40th Street, constructed in 1962, was designed by the prominent New York architectural firm, Harrison & Abramowitz, who collaborated on many significant mid-20th Century projects in New York, including structures at Rockefeller Center, the United Nations, Lincoln Center, Columbia University and the State Capital of New York at Albany; and

WHEREAS, This building was designated an individual NYC Landmark March 13, 2010  adding its distinctive chamfered tower to the city's growing list of Modern buildings under landmark protection; and

WHEREAS, Its current owners, Savannah Partners, have applied to LPC for approval of a Master Plan to install louvers on the westerly facade of the building, the side not visible from Bryant Park, from the 11th to the 20th floors with other louvers for the lower floors to be placed facing an interior courtyard exterior wall, not visible at all from the public way; and

WHEREAS, Any existing louvers, now randomly located, will be replaced with glass and all the louvers will be placed harmoniously in a vertical pattern at the southerly portion of the western facade to minimize the visual appearance from the street; and

WHEREAS, The louvers will cover mechanical equipment needed to ventilate and air condition the building and will measure 18" X 19 3/4" and will be a dark green grey in color; and 

WHEREAS, The louvers will be installed as tenants require them on a floor by floor basis in horizontal bands above three adjacent windows on each floor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Louver Master Plan for 104 West 40th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 230 Park Avenue (between East 45th and East 46th Streets), formerly known as the New York Central Building, then known as the New York General Building, more recently known as the Helmsley Building, has been an individual NYC Landmark since its designation March 31, 1987, designed by Warren and Wetmore as part of the complex of buildings surrounding Grand Central Station, also designed by these same architects; and

WHEREAS, Built in 1929 as the luxurious headquarters for the New York Central Railroad, 230 Park Avenue is a 34-story office building strategically straddling Park Avenue at East 46th Street to East 45th Street, offering a premier location as a direct connection to Grand Central Terminal; and

WHEREAS. The building requires a major electrical service upgrade including two new feeders, four transformers and switching gear to continue its use as a major Class A office building and after extensive study, its owners and architects, Beyer, Blinder, Belle, have determined that the best location for the new equipment would be on the east side of the 16th story roof setback which is halfway up the 34 story building; and

WHEREAS, This roof already contains other mechanical and electrical equipment and the impact of the 3 foot raised platform and the housing for the new electrical equipment is not deemed detrimental to the overall appearance of the building as indicated in photographs of mock-ups of the 3 ft. high platform and the 7 1/2 and 10 1/2 ft. housing additions on the rooftop; and

WHEREAS, Photographs showing  mock-ups of the proposed additions indicate a minimal visual negative impact; however, the mock-ups themselves were removed before CB 5 had an opportunity to see them in place,  which CB 5 takes issue with; and

WHEREAS, LPC staff usually is given the authority to approve electrical and mechanical equipment placement on the roof tops of individual Landmarks, the Commission required a Public Hearing in this instance because the owner of another Landmark, 280 Broadway, recently installed a roof top cooling tower without LPC approval, and LPC now wants a full Public review of such additions on prominent Landmarks such as this; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the roof top additions to the easterly side of the 16th floor roof top at 230 Park Avenue for the installation and housing of new electrical equipment.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Central Park is a NYC Scenic Landmark and has had two temporary WIFI installations since November and December 2011, provided by AT&T, at the Zoo and Mineral Springs (Pain Quotidian) Snack Bar locations, along with 24 other WIFI installations at other parks in the City, in all the boroughs; and

WHEREAS, These roof top locations were determined by their expected access by potential internet users in the parks, either waiting to purchase tickets at the zoo or using the Sheep Meadow; and

WHEREAS, These devices, with a range of 200 ft., measure 20" high, 5" wide and 5" deep, must be positioned in the line of sight of users to be effective, and although relatively small,  they have high visibility and cannot be concealed to be  less obtrusive; and

WHEREAS, The white color for the devices may be replaced by a more subtle color, at CB5's suggestion, to make them less noticeable; and 

WHEREAS, This approval is for a five year period and any future WIFI device installation may be less problematic if new technologies are developed in this time period to provide this amenity to the general public; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the placement of two roof top devices for WIFI coverage on one of the buildings at the Central Park Zoo and on the roof of the Mineral Springs Snack Bar.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 45 West 21st Street, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, is a six-story Beaux-Arts store and loft building built in 1902; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is seeking approval from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to install exterior signage; and

WHEREAS, Currently there is no exterior signage on the building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed signage includes a 20 foot by 2 foot painted metal, non-illuminated blade sign on the western corner of the building, and pin-mounted, cast aluminum, LED back-lit letters measuring no greater than 15 inches by 8 feet above the first floor cornice at each of the two commercial entrances; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has represented that the signage is proposed for two new small retail tenants; and

WHEREAS, Although no signage was present on the building at the time of construction or designation, there is historic precedent for the location of the proposed signage based on photographs of similar signage on the building in the 1940s and 1950s: a similar (but illuminated) blade sign was present in the proposed location in the 1950s, and similar above-the-cornice (non-illuminated) signage was present in the proposed locations on the building in the 1940s; and

WHEREAS, There is an illuminated blade sign of similar size on the building at 57 West 21^st Street (two buildings to the west of 45 West 21st Street); and

WHEREAS, Although Community Board Five is concerned that the above-the-cornice signage may extend in front of a portion of four windows on the second floor and would prefer that this signage instead be installed below the cornice, the Applicant has represented that these windows belong to commercial rather than residential tenants, and the plans indicate that only a small portion (less than 15 inches high) at the bottom of the windows may be affected by the pin letters; and

WHEREAS, Although Community Board Five would prefer that all signage on the building be non-illuminated and that the blade sign be smaller, it found the proposed back-lighting of the pin letters and the proposed size of the blade sign  to be appropriate for Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The Community Board Five considers the proposed signage to be appropriate for the Ladies Mile Historic District based on historic precedent and similar signage currently found within the Ladies' Mile Historic District; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the proposed signage for 45 West 21st Street in the Ladies' Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 22 in favor; 9 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, An application has been submitted to The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to remove and replace existing elements of the exterior façade of 50 West 23^rd Street, located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The building known as 50 West 23^rd Street is composed of two structures:

1.      A eleven story through block building located at 48-54 West 23^rd Street and 37-41 West 22^nd Street, designed by Walter Monroe Cory of Cory & Cory Architects, and erected in 1954-56 for the Frank Shattuck Corporation, and

2.      A thirteen story building located at 43-49 West 22^nd Street, designed by Russell G. Cory of Cory & Cory Architects, and erected in 1925-26 for the Frank Shattuck Corporation; and

WHEREAS, The buildings which had originally been used as a bakery, candy factory, food processing plant, and offices, notably for Schrafft's, were constructed with crème colored cast concrete façades, predominantly Moderne in style, with some Art Deco elements; and

WHEREAS, At the present time, the existing conditions are resultant of a 1970s renovation, which added a stone base course, and steel canopies to the building at 48-54 West 23^rd Street; and

WHEREAS, The proposed renovations would include removal and replacement of the existing façade cladding, three storefronts, lobby entry, and four canopies at the ground floor of 48-54 West 23^rd Street; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new façade cladding would be dark grey, smooth finished Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete ("GFRC") panel, with sandblasted triangular patterned detailing; and

WHEREAS, The three proposed new storefronts would be almost entirely composed of glass, which would sit on top of a +/- 4" high stainless steel base; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new canopies would be composed of glass which has a white dot pattern scored by clear areas forming triangular patterned detailing; and

WHEREAS, The new canopies are proposed to be illuminated with LED fixtures; and

WHEREAS, Signage for the three retail tenants would be blade signs that are incorporated into the new canopies as well as signage applied to the interior of the storefront glass; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the proposed renovation of 48-54 West 23^rd Street, at the entry to the 43-49 West 22^nd Street building, the applicant proposes to install a new white dot patterned glass canopy; and

WHEREAS, Although the glass storefronts in many of the buildings in the Ladies Mile Historic District typically sit on top of a substantial base course, storefronts in many Moderne industrial building erected in the 1950s have minimal base courses, similar to the proposed +/- 4" high stainless steel base; and

WHEREAS, The proposed illuminated glass canopies with triangular patterned detailing seem somewhat contemporary in style, and a departure from the otherwise subtle detailing in the existing historic fabric of the building; and

WHEREAS, Although the usage of GFRC panels for the ground floor façade of this predominantly historic cast concrete structure may seem appropriate and distinguishing the base of a building from the upper portion through contrasting color can be seen throughout the Ladies Mile Historic District, we believe that the proposed façade's sandblasted triangular patterned detailing would be inharmonious with this landmark; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for permission to remove and replace the exterior façade of 50 West 23^rd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Madison Belmont Building, 183 Madison Avenue, AKA 181-183 Madison Avenue, 44-46 East 34^th Street and 31 East 33^rd Street, has been an individual and first floor interior landmark since September 2011; and

WHEREAS, The Belmont was built in 1924-25 and designed by Warren & Wetmore (Grand Central Station, among others) and in the designation report for the Belmont the Landmarks Preservation Commission stated that:

                        ...the Madison Belmont Building is a unique, transitional style

                        building that includes classical ornament derived from the

                        Renaissance executed in an unusual, highly-stylized manner,

                        combining it with one of the earliest New York examples of Art

                        Deco designs applied to architecture... [and] also reflects the

                        contributions of Parisian Edgar Brandt, master iron smith in the

                        Art Deco style...The three-story base of this building is quite distinct

                        from the upper floors.  Faced with granite, the lower floors are almost

                        completely filled by large display windows....[T]he display windows

                        are highlighted by Brandt's unique iron and gilded bronze frames

                        that rise uninterrupted for the first three floors.  Brandt also created

                        unusual iron gates with geometric motifs beneath the large first

                        floor windows ...; and

WHEREAS, The proposed alterations involve creating two ADA compliant entrances in the 34^th Street façade in Bay 2 (east end) and Bay 6 (west end) by replacing the existing bays with frameless power-assisted glass doors, recessed four feet, and matching the adjacent hardware and decorative trim, with bronze circular handles and bronze lettering over the doors; and

WHEREAS, All of the removed materials (including the removed metal scrollwork, along the base of the façade) will be stored on site for possible future re-use; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant didn't provide to CB5 a rendering of what the 34^th Street façade would look like with the two new doors and also didn't provide samples of the materials to be used; and

WHEREAS, Without a detailed rendering of the proposed 34^th Street façade, and a review of the proposed materials, it is not possible to determine whether the modifications are appropriate for this landmarked building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, CB5 recommends denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the storefront modifications to the Madison Belmont Building, 183 Madison Avenue, AKA 181-183 Madison Avenue, 44-46 East 34^th Street and 31 East 33^rd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 2 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 636 Avenue of the Americas, is located within the Ladies Mile Historic District, with facades on Avenue of the Americas (extending 68 feet) and West 19th Street (extending 152 feet), and is a six-story neo-Renaissance store building, constructed in 1896, designed by Buchman and Deisler and named the Alexander Building, after the person who acquired the building in 1897 for use as a shoe store; and

WHEREAS, This application is to remove and replace obsolete and unsightly rooftop mechanical equipment with a modest 3,300 sq. ft. rooftop addition; and   

WHEREAS, The addition is set back so as not to be visible from the public way on the South, East and West; and 

WHEREAS, The addition, on a secondary elevation, is partially visible from a constricted area four blocks away (at 23^rd Street); and

WHEREAS, The portion visible is a solid (un-fenestrated wall) on the lot-line and does not visually extend above the roof top addition behind it and is therefore almost un-noticeable; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a rooftop addition at 636 Avenue of the Americas.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 1 West 22nd Street is a twenty foot wide 3-story store and loft building located near Fifth Avenue in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, built in 1904 in the Beaux Arts style characteristic of the period; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied to LPC for approval of facade renovations including stucco scraping and repair, stripping, repair cleaning and repainting of all surfaces including masonry and metal; and

WHEREAS, The current non-historic storefront will be removed and replaced with a three part new design including a display window and two doors, one for the retail entrance and the other for access to the upper two floors; and

WHEREAS, The storefront finishes will match the existing bronze color used at the building and three new "Barn Light" lighting fixtures will have a black matte finish; renovations will include black painted aluminum bulkheads, a new fiberglass cornice to be installed over the storefront based on the 1940's era Tax Map Photo and a new sign band will be installed finished with 6 in. high brushed aluminum lettering; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the facade renovation design for 1 West 22nd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 23 West 23rd Street is a four-story commercial building, converted from an Italianate dwelling built between 1860- 1862, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, between Avenue of the Americas and Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The first floor, a 3-bay storefront, is not original to the residential building or the 1874 commercial conversion nor the 1903 redesign as a loft and retail building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new storefront maintains a three-bay configuration consisting of a framed display window and two framed glass doors, one for the retail store and the other for access to the upper floors; and

WHEREAS, The lintels and pier configuration mimic the proportions and placement of the historic upper stories; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a new storefront at 23 West 23rd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The owner of 29 East 20th Street, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, has applied to LPC  to cure a series of violations affecting the façade and the ground floor storefront; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposed to remove the four outstanding violations including: an illegal blade sign, an unapproved storefront  modification including two large globes, an illegal flag pole and banner, as well as non-conforming windows on the second, third and fourth floors and to restore the building to a condition approximating its state prior to aforementioned violations; and

WHEREAS, The proposed removal of the unauthorized building additions and modifications would be much more harmonious with the existing historic fabric of the building; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is preparing the space for a new tenant and he agreed to present any future changes to the façade and storefront to Community Board Five and LPC; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for permission to remove the above cited violations and restore the ground front storefront of 29 East 20th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 156 Fifth Avenue is a 13 story Romanesque Revival commercial building located on the NW corner of West 20th Street in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, built in 1895, and was formerly known as the Presbyterian Building named after its original owner; and

WHEREAS, A new retail tenant, Nike, is applying to LPC for approval of two LED illuminated "halo" type signs to be placed in the windows of the store featuring the Nike signature logo with the Nike "swoosh" measuring 20 in. by 3 in.; and

WHEREAS, There is a precedent for LPC approval of similar signage and lighting; and

WHEREAS, This signage is not subject to LPC staff approval and requires a Public Hearing and approval by the LPC Commissioners; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the signage and lighting at 156 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 5 West 21st Street, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, is an Italianate style dwelling built in 1851 and was altered in 1919 with the construction of a two-story storefront extension;

WHEREAS, Greensquare Tavern, replacing a prior tenant, Shaffer City, is seeking approval from The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to replace non-historic storefront infill; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has prepared two different storefront schemes for LPC consideration, one with fixed doors and the other with folding doors, and CB5 prefers the fixed door scheme since it is deemed more faithful to the historical character of the District, although when the doors in each scheme are in closed position the appearance is essentially the same ; and

WHEREAS, The design, following a five bay rhythm, includes raising the transom above the building entrance, a new awning within the storefront bay, new signage above the storefront, masonry repair, painted copper green and dark forest green aluminum framing around new windows and ADA compliant doors at the easterly side of the storefront; and

WHEREAS, The proposed changes for the street level bar and restaurant, as presented to CB5, will be visible from Fifth Avenue and are deemed an improvement over the existing storefront condition and appear harmonious with other storefronts in the Historic District; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the storefront renovations for 5 West 21st Street in the Ladies' Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 6 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 11 East 26th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues, is a 21 story 1912-1913 era neo-Gothic building located in the Madison Square North Historic District, facing Madison Square Park, which is immediately across the street to the south; and

WHEREAS, Its new ground floor tenant, the Museum of Mathematics, is leasing the premises which runs through-block to 6 East 27th Street for ten years and has applied to NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for approval of a new storefront; and

WHEREAS, The proposed renovations include installation of a large glass rectangular window, with a layer of reflective film placed between the two glass window plates for illumination purposes, surrounded by a strip of bronze ribbon going around the glass; and

WHEREAS, The name of the Museum would be placed in the stone panel above the storefront, portions of the stonework adjacent to the glass window to the left and the right are to be restored and some minor renovation work would also be done on the West 27th Street facade; and 

WHEREAS, The Applicant is proposing to have a modern glass door entrance to the Museum, completely different from the two other doorways to the building; and

WHEREAS, CB5 finds that the large, modern storefront and doorway concept is not in keeping with neo-Gothic design of the building nor the character of the Historic District and, clearly, the Applicant wishes to capitalize on exposing as much of the interior as possible to obtain high visibility to attract future patrons; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, CB5 recommends denial of the Application for the new storefront and doorway for 11 East 26th Street in the Madison Square North Historic District, since it is deemed too modern in its design and materials and incompatible with the rest of the Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 40 West 22^nd Street (between 5^th & 6^th Avenues) is a 12-story neo-Renaissance store and loft building, located within the Ladies' Mile Historic District and characteristic of the later development phase of the district; and

WHEREAS, The building, designed by Korn & Zipkes and constructed in 1909-10, is 46 feet wide, faced in stone and buff-colored brick, has a three-story base framed in a heavy rusticated stone architrave with a keystone supporting a stone parapet with balusters at each end; and

WHEREAS, The building successfully applied for, and has completed, renovations to the lower levels of the façade in 2009; and

WHEREAS, The owners are now requesting permission to replace the previous awning with a new awning/marquee that provides shelter for tenants and guests while continuing the design approach of the above-noted new entryway; and

WHEREAS, The focus of this work was to replace additions that distracted from the original building details with elements that are consonant with the original design; and

WHEREAS, The proposed awning/marquee will be 3'8" x 5'3" and consist of canvas mounted within a fenestration area of the façade of glass, metal and wood framed by rusticated stone; and

WHEREAS, The new awning/marquee will be restrained in keeping with the original building design and be approximately 8" in height; and

WHEREAS, Subdued lighting will be included under and within the awning/marquee; and

WHEREAS, The awning/marquee will serve as a sound buffer for occupants living above the entry way so that noise from visitors using the intercom will be reduced; and

WHEREAS, The installation will not require any alterations to the building or original materials; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application for the replacement of the awning/marquee at 40 West 22^nd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 200 Fifth Avenue is a 15-story retail and office building, completed in 1909, designed by the architects, Maynicke & Franke, in Neo-Renaissance style; and

WHEREAS, For many years the building was  known as The International Toy Center and more recently it has become the home of "Eataly," a very popular purveyor of food and an eating establishment located in the ground floor of the building ; and

WHEREAS, There are two separate entrance doors on the side streets:

a)      West 23rd Street has  a modern sliding glass door

b)      West 24th Street has a more historical revolving door; and

WHEREAS, The owner had previously agreed to preserve the ornamental metal gates and the vestibule spaces with their coffered, vaulted ceilings at both the West 23rd and West 24th Street entrances; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is requesting LPC approval to exchange the two entrance doors on West 23rd and West 24th Streets for the following purposes:

            a) Having the revolving door located at the West 23rd Street entrance would be more energy            efficient from a heat loss standpoint;

            b) Moving the sliding doors to West 24th Street would enable the vestibule area to be            incorporated into Eataly as seasonal cafe/restaurant space , whereas currently it only    functions as storage space; the ornamental gates would be kept in locked position so that this   building entrance would be enclosed to contain the dining area; and

WHEREAS, CB5 considers the proposed changes both practical and in the public interest; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for 200 Fifth Avenue to exchange the two side street entrance doors on West 23rd and West 24th Streets and to permit the West 24th Street entrance vestibule area to be used for a seasonal cafe/restaurant dining area.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 210 Fifth Avenue (aka 1132 Broadway) is an 11 story commercial building, constructed in 1903, now converted to retail/residential use, located in the Madison Square North Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner of the penthouse apartment on the 11th floor of the building is seeking to renovate and expand the premises by 152 sq. ft.; and

WHEREAS, The exterior walls are in poor condition in various places and demolition and new construction will remedy this problem; and

WHEREAS, The proposed placement of new windows and use of new materials will improve the appearance of the building; and

WHEREAS, The increase in size of the penthouse from 748 to 900 sq. ft. is within the allowable FAR for this building; and

WHEREAS, The new construction will not be visible from the Public Way, except for views of the southerly elevation at some distance from the building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed profile of the new penthouse, as seen in mockups, and new window placement is deemed to be more visually attractive and harmonious with rest of the Historic District than the existing condition; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a certificate of appropriateness for an alteration of a penthouse apartment at 210 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, An application has been submitted to The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to remove and replace the ground front storefront of The Aeolian Building, located at 689-691 Fifth Avenue at the northeast corner of East 54th Street; and

WHEREAS, The Aeolian Building, built in 1925-27 by the James Baird Construction Co. to the design of Warren & Wetmore Architects, is a fourteen story commercial building in a Neo-Classical style with French Renaissance style detailing; clad in Indiana Limestone, Italian Marble spandrel panels, and a buff-colored terra-cotta upper portion; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Paul Goldberger of The New York Times described the Aeolian Building as "a lyrical gem that may be the city's most inventive merging of modern commercial design with French and classical architectural detail... as good a reminder as New York has that architecture can be exuberant and fanciful yet discreet and well-mannered"; and

WHEREAS, On December 10, 2002, The Aeolian Building was designated as an individual Landmark by The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, 689-691 Fifth Avenue was the headquarters of The Aeolian Company, a leading manufacturer of roll-operated instruments, until 1938, and since 1930, this building had been location of the flagship Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the building has been operated by several different owners, and there have been modifications to the ground floor storefronts, accommodating varying usages for retail tenants, including a 1938 remodeling by the architect Robert Carson for an I. Miller & Son's shoe store, and subsequently the travertine clad façade installed in 1970, designed by Ernest Castro of Weisberg Castro Associates for Gucci; and

WHEREAS, At this time the applicant proposes to remove the existing Moderne styled travertine clad façade and to replace this with a more Neo-Classical styled façade composed of Indiana Limestone pilasters and a Deer Isle Granite watertable; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is also proposing to install rectangular glass and steel canopy above the entrance and lobby of the office building, located at the extreme east of the East 54th Street side of the building; and

WHEREAS, Within the interior of the proposed modified building entrance, it has been proposed to include an illuminated feature wall; and

WHEREAS, There has been some expressed preference for a rounded, highly decorative canopy on East 54th Street, similar to the one which The Aeolian Company showroom had in the 1930's, and likewise, there has been some expressed concern that the proposed illuminated feature wall seems to be a contrast to the building's Neo Classical and French Renaissance style detailing; and

WHEREAS, Despite these concerns, it appears that the proposed new storefront would be much more harmonious with the existing historic fabric of the richly detailed building above; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for permission to remove and replace the ground front storefront of The Aeolian Building, located at 689-691 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, the owners of 52 West 21^st Street, located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, have applied to LPC to legalize the façade of the building and appeared at CB 5 May 12, 2011 and the previous building owners appeared at CB 5 December 13, 2007, to obtain Approval for facade renovations; and

WHEREAS, on each of the two occasions that CB 5 reviewed the Application and the building work that had been done by each of the owners, Approval was Denied (35-0-1 at the May 12, 2011 Full Board Meeting); and

WHEREAS,the Applicant failed to appear at the November 29, 2011 Landmarks Committee Meeting of CB 5 to explain what if any changes have been made in the building design or condition since the last time the matter was presented to CB 5; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, CB 5 recommends to LPC that the Application by 52 West 21^st Street, Ladies Mile Historic District to legalize façade be Denied. (For reference purposes the May 12, 2011 Resolution of CB 5 is shown below:

WHEREAS, 52 West 21st Street is a five-story commercial/loft retail and residential building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The previous owner appeared before CB5 and was denied approval by CB5 on December 13, 2007 for repairs, renovation and restoration of the facade for reasons detailed in the CB5 Resolution set forth below; and

WHEREAS, Exterior renovations were done without conforming to the requirements of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and the current owner is now seeking to "legalize" these facade modifications; and

WHEREAS, The scope of work that was performed improved the appearance of the building which had been in a severely deteriorated condition, but did not meet the required architectural drawings, plans, details and specifications presented to LPC, since they failed to include:

                                    1. Decorative spandrels between the floors

                                    2. Window sash, frames and mullions as depicted 

                                    3. Sign band above the ground floor storefront

                                    4. Panel bulkheads at ground floor

                                    5. Deep cornices

                                    6. Use of appropriate Historic materials and colors throughout the facade; and

WHEREAS, The current appearance of the building is out of character with the Historic District, especially with the two immediately adjacent buildings; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to legalize facade renovations at 52 West 21st Street. (Denied:  Vote: 35-0-1 Abstention)

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, the New Amsterdam Theater, 214 West 42^nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, in the NYC Theater District, has been an individual NYC Landmark since 1979; and

WHEREAS, the theater is owned by 42nd Street Development Corporation and is operated under a long term lease by the Disney Corporation, which currently has a long running Broadway Show, "Mary Poppins", appearing at the theater; and

WHEREAS, Disney has applied to LPC for approval to replace the existing light boxes on the non-historical marquee which would update and improve the illumination for performances taking place at the theater; and

WHEREAS, the illumination would be modern LED type lighting to program current shows and other occasional performances taking place at the theater and may also be used to announce other Disney shows playing in New York City; and 

WHEREAS, Disney agrees that the LED panels on the marquee would not be used for advertising purposes; and 

WHEREAS, CB 5 recommends that the signage be "static" in nature and not animated; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to replacing existing light-boxes on marquee with new LED panels at the New Amsterdam Theater, 214 West 42nd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 1179 Broadway is located in the Madison Square North Historic District on the west side of Broadway between West 28th and West 29th Streets and is a four-story store and office building, originally constructed in the mid-1800's as part of the Coleman House hotel complex and extensively renovated in 1926; and

WHEREAS, in 1926 when many of the area's commercial buildings were being given new facades, the building was covered with stucco facing that was subsequently altered with another "Garden State Brickface" type stucco re-facing, scored to resemble bricks; and

WHEREAS, the LPC June 26, 2001 Designation Report states that "the storefronts and stucco are non-historic"; and

WHEREAS, the NYC Department of Buildings has served the owners with violations as a result of serious structural conditions necessitating the placement of emergency scaffolding at the base of the building; and

WHEREAS, these conditions include cracking of the stucco, bowing outward of the front of the building, water infiltration and decay of bricks and steel at the headers; and

WHEREAS, after consultations with LPC Staff, the owners are applying to replace the building facade with stucco (which will not be scored) the color of limestone, matching the appearance of the facade as it was in 1926; and

WHEREAS, as part of the renovation, all upper floor windows above the storefront will be replaced with fixed glass wood framed windows, not pivoting, to conform to the NYC Building code by allowing child safety railing protection; and

WHEREAS, the applicant has agreed to retain a professional Architectural Conservator to document the existing materials that will be re used in the new facade and supervise the material's removal, storage and replacement, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for facade renovation for 1179 Broadway in the Madison Square North Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 17 West 17^th Street (between 5^th & 6^th Avenues in the middle of the block) is an 11 story townhouse built in 1907 and located within the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The building is 53 feet wide, faced in white brick, above a two story metal-framed storefront; and

WHEREAS, The first and second stories are recent aluminum and glass replacements, although the original metal cornice at the top of the second story remains; and

WHEREAS, The non-retail stories consist of single floor apartments; and

WHEREAS, The owners are requesting permission to extend the freight elevator bulkhead on the roof an additional 15 feet, using the same materials currently used in the bulkhead on the roof; and

WHEREAS, The reason for this extension is to permit materials to be brought to the top of the building for roof work without necessitating obtaining entrance through the various apartments; and

WHEREAS, The extension is minimally visible from 17^th Street and not at all visible from 18^th streets; and

WHEREAS, Where it can be viewed, this view is extremely limited and the sight is in keeping with the other rooftops in close proximity; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to undertake the proposed elevator bulkhead extension for the roof at 17 West 17^th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 200 Park Avenue South, a/ka/ 45 East 17^th Street, a/k/a The Everett Building, a sixteen-story commercial structure, designed by Goldwin, Starrett and Van Vleck, is an individual New York City Landmark, and

WHEREAS, The 1910-era building is a quintessential example of the new commercial style of architecture known as the Chicago School, and its design was considered innovative when it was featured in Architectural Record (December 1910) and,

WHEREAS, The owner of the building wishes to reconfigure door openings and restore the historic integrity of the ground-floor storefronts, specifically doors and bulkheads, and

WHEREAS, Historic tax photos provide a reasonable indication of the original door and bulkhead assembly configurations and no historic fabric remains of these features, and

WHEREAS, The proposal respects the configurations, materials and proportions of the original, historic storefronts, therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for 200 Park Avenue South storefront modifications.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining; and 1 present but not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 1 East 27th Street is located in the Madison Square North Historic District, a five-story, Italianate club house built in 1890-91 by the architect Robert H. Roberson as an extension to the adjacent Reform Club at 233 Fifth Avenue, and

WHEREAS The buildings remain conjoined and the current owner has applied to NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to:

            1) Remove an exterior wall at the ground floor and to construct a one story addition at the rear of the building extending to the lot line to maximize the square footage as permitted by the zoning resolution.

            2) Replace the existing non-historic storefront at 1 East 27th Street with a new traditional wood and glass infill storefront.

WHEREAS, The first item is an addition to the building which will allow the occupant, Museum of Sex, to expand its operations and will contain new lavatories; and 

WHEREAS, The 25 ft. by 12 ft. addition will not be visible from the public way and will not impact the appearance of the building and could have been approved at the LPC Staff level if not for a technical issue requiring formal Commission approval; and 

WHEREAS, The second item, the storefront renovation, will serve to conform the building to the appearance of adjacent Historic District properties on East 27th Street by exposing original cast iron columns, using materials including sheet metal, painted wood and glass in keeping with historical architectural features of the District; and

WHEREAS, The changes will provide for current building code requirements such as ADA compliance, there will be no lighting for the new storefront and the signage will be limited to interior painted glass; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to remove the exterior wall at the ground floor to construct a one story addition and to install storefront infill at 1 East 27th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 14 West 23rd Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) is located in the Ladies Mile Historic District and the second floor tenant, Weight Watchers has applied to install a sign identifying its location; and

WHEREAS, Weight Watchers has some 600 locations throughout the country and is embarking on a corporate program to have more visible, attractive meeting places to reach more clients; and

WHEREAS, The sign with its identifying name will be beneficial to achieve its goals by bringing in more walk-in business; and

WHEREAS, The sign will be placed on a building spandrel and will measure 10 ft. by 1 1/2 ft., with lettering 8 ft. long and 11 1/2 in. high, plus a logo 14 in. high; and

WHEREAS, This signage is in keeping with the commercial character of this block front; therefore, be it 

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for installation of Weight Watchers signage at 14 West 23rd Street (Ladies Mile Historic District).

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1abstaining.

WHEREAS, 230 Park Avenue (between East 45th and East 46th Streets), formerly known as the New York Central Building, then known as the New York General Building, more recently known as the Helmsley Building, has been an individual NYC Landmark since its designation March 31, 1987, designed by Warren and Wetmore as part of the complex of buildings surrounding Grand Central Station, also designed by these same architects; and

WHEREAS, Built in 1929 as the luxurious headquarters for the New York Central Railroad, 230 Park Avenue is a 34-story office building strategically straddling Park Avenue at East 46^th Street to East 45th Street, offering a premier location as a direct connection to Grand Central Terminal; and

WHEREAS, While it appears that the requested Helmsley signage previously appeared on the building, possibly at the time of designation, the signage has since been returned to the original New York Central signage; and

WHEREAS, As a result of a reported "contractual" obligation to the Helmsley Estate, the current owners have engaged  Beyer Blinder Belle, an architectural firm specializing in historic preservation, to comply with a request to change signage "messages" in three locations to reflect the prior Helmsley ownership:

a)      Two large medallions on the East 46th Street facade which would be changed from a "NYC logo" to an "H' ;

b)      The building name over the front entrance at East 46th Street from "New York Central" to "Helmsley";

c)      The building name over the East 45th Street entry from "New York Central" to "Helmsley"; and

WHEREAS, Despite the worthy efforts in the owner's behalf of Beyer Blinder Belle, to comply with request from the Helmsley Estate, all of these signage message changes are deemed inappropriate both historically and esthetically as well as unnecessary for building identification purposes, since its primary address, "230 Park Avenue",  is how the building is commonly known and referred to; and

WHEREAS, The Helmsley name will remain on the two pedestrian passage ways through the building, Helmsley Walk East and Helmsley Walk West, which adequately memorializes the previous Helmsley ownership, without changing any of the historic building fabric; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the Application to install signage changes at 230 Park Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 597 5th Avenue (former Scribner's and Sons bookstore) has been an individual NYC Landmark since 1982 and the interior was also designated a landmark in 1989; and

WHEREAS, The building was designed by the noted Beaux Arts American architect, Ernest Flagg, and was built in 1912-13; and

WHEREAS, Scribner's was in operation for 75 years as a bookstore until it closed in 1989, and was considered by many as Fifth Avenue's most elegant bookstore; and

WHEREAS, The space later became the main Manhattan location for the Benetton company, and currently is leased until 2013 as a Sephora skin care store, and

WHEREAS, Most of the interior architectural elements have remained intact over the years with the notable exception of furnishings and details at the rear, or easterly end of the store, which were removed or replaced over time, leaving the entire interior area at the rear without any of the original elements including a large tripartite bookcase, a picture rail and lounge space; and

WHEREAS, The building's current owners, Thor Equities, also owns 3 east 48th Street, a contiguous building on a separate tax lot, and would like to expand 597 5th Avenue into that building which would provide additional retail space by constructing six openings, 3 on each of the two levels, through the east wall of 597 5th Avenue which is now void of any of the original architectural details; and

WHEREAS, All of the proposed alterations are reversible should the two buildings not continue under the same ownership; and

WHEREAS, The proposed redesign would restore a central tripartite millwork architrave in the style of the original bookcase as the focus of the upper mezzanine and would recreate the separate character of the upper mezzanine with its picture rail molding and two tone wall color; the lower mezzanine would have the character of the clerical support space that is thought to be the original use; and

WHEREAS, One of the objectives of the openings in the upper mezzanine is to make the space less likely to be overrun by merchandise or obstructed by showcases since it would be used by people circulating in and out of the connected space, improving the appearance and sight lines of the interior landmark; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for alterations to the east wall of the ground floor and mezzanine interior space at 597 5th Avenue (former Scribner's and Sons bookstore).

The above resolution passed 597 5th Avenue (former Scribner's and Sons bookstore) Application for alterations to the east wall of the ground floor and mezzanine interior space.

WHEREAS, Community Boards, as the most local form of City government, are uniquely suited to offer input and expertise on individual landmarks applications, and provide advisory opinions to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC); and

WHEREAS, Unlike other land use review processes that abide by a distinct timeline or schedule, LPC does not follow a uniform or defined timeline for the review of landmarks applications; and

WHEREAS, Although LPC refers landmarks proposals to Community Boards for input, Community Boards are not afforded a consistent and defined period of time to provide meaningful review and evaluation for these applications; and

WHEREAS, This arrangement has led to circumstances when Community Board landmarks committees were unable to review a landmarks application prior to an LPC vote; Community Board full boards have been unable to review and vote on an application prior to an LPC vote; and Community Board full boards have overturned votes from their landmarks committees, thereby changing the position of the Board; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Manhattan Community Board Five urges LPC to adopt a formal and defined timeline that allows Community Boards to provide meaningful input on all landmarks applications; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Manhattan Community Board Five recommends that LPC provide Community Boards a minimum of 45 days notification prior to a public hearing.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS,  2 East 52nd Street aka 651-653 Fifth Avenue (Morton and Nellie Plant House), now occupied by the retail store Cartier, is an individually landmarked building, built in 1905 as a residence for the Plant Family in an era when Fifth Avenue housed the mansions of the Astors, Goulds, Belmonts and Vanderbilts; and

WHEREAS, Cartier has been a continuous occupant of the building for 94 years and has had a prominent retail presence at this location making it an integral part of the Fifth Avenue Shopping District; and 

WHEREAS, Cartier, has applied to modify the Fifth Avenue storefront by reducing the four existing bays to three bays, improving the appearance and access to the building using materials and design elements consonant with the existing building; and

WHEREAS, The application includes the removal of a non-historic canopy on the East 52nd Street facade; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant requests approval of a 550 sq. ft. rooftop addition, not visible from the street, for use as an event space in conjunction with an existing rooftop terrace area; therefore, be it 

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for storefront modifications, removal of a canopy and construction of a rooftop addition at 2-4 East 52nd Street, aka 651-653 Fifth Avenue, (Cartier).

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 5 West 16th Street is a Greek Revival style townhouse, built circa 1846, and is an individual NYC Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The building was altered in 1894 and 1912 to accommodate commercial uses at the lower floors and a penthouse addition was constructed in 1918; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is requesting approval to construct a barrier-free access ramp to the lower level and to alter the storefront in accordance with plans and drawings presented to Community Board Five on August 30, 2011; and

WHEREAS, This work will address two minor LPC violations reported to CB 5 by the owner's architect, although there is no reference to Open Violations in the NYC DOB online site; and

WHEREAS, The work will also significantly improve the appearance of the building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for 5 West 16th Street to install a barrier-free access ramp and to alter the storefront.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 137 Fifth Avenue, a twelve story Neo-Renaissance storefront and loft structure is located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, the 1902 era façade remains intact except for the Fifth Avenue ground floor storefront composed of anodized aluminum and glass materials; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant, a retail store,  has proposed to replace the non-historic infill with a design based on historic tax photos, namely a bay shaped, wood panel storefront more in keeping with the building's original architectural design and materials; and

WHEREAS, to lessen the visual impact of non-historic ADA door openers and intercoms they will be moved from the front of the façade to return panels; and

WHEREAS, a proposed blade sign falls within the NYC LPC rules; and

WHEREAS, some concerns were expressed regarding the placement of recessed lights within the historic canopy and with the modern nature of in the proposed door handles, however, the other historic elements above the first floor will remain undisturbed; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application for a new storefront and entries at 137 Fifth Avenue. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 301 Park Avenue, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, an Art Deco style skyscraper, designed by Schultze & Weaver and built in 1931, has been an individual NYC Landmark since 1993; and

WHEREAS, An Application from its owner, Hilton Hotels, has been filed with LPC 

1. to install a new marquee, 

2. alter the motor court and 

3. make street level facade improvements; and

WHEREAS, Although the original building did not have any canopies, awnings or marquees, the Waldorf, like most other prominent hotels, has had various sidewalk coverings over its entrance doors over the years; and

WHEREAS, At the time of designation the hotel had canopies at its entrances including one at this location; and

WHEREAS, The Waldorf is seeking approval for a new frosted glass and structural steel tubing marquee, with the steel clad in nickel silver, in three sections relating to the three Park Avenue entrance portals, all in one continuous form with glass connecting the three sections; and

WHEREAS, The new canopy is similar to another marquee also containing large areas of glass, approved by CB5 and LPC, for Carnegie Hall which enhanced the visibility of that  Landmark building from the street, as this marquee is similarly designed to do for the Waldorf; and

WHEREAS, The new marquee will use the four existing tieback or anchor rods and two more matching rods (removable) will be installed into the Indiana Limestone facade, for symmetry purposes; and

WHEREAS, The design of the new marquee is not intended to mimic the Art Deco building design, however it is deemed to be harmonious with the building's appearance and could be removed, in the future if necessary, with no serious damage to the building, requiring only minor cosmetic patching; and

WHEREAS, The through-block motor court from East 49th to East 50th Streets is not specifically described in the LPC Designation Report, it is in need of upgrading  both functionally and visually and the Application includes extensive alterations and improvements; and

WHEREAS, The Application will also cover street level storefront and facade improvements, restoration and upgrades relating to storefronts, grills, storage rooms, dumpster areas, etc. on both East 49th and East 50th Streets; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has had its Security Department review all the proposed changes for compliance with security requirements for heads of state and other high level risks posed by visitors to the hotel; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application by Hilton Hotels for 301 Park Avenue, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, to install a new marquee, alter the motor court and other facade improvements.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Plaza Hotel located at 768 - 770 Fifth Avenue is an Individual NYC Landmark, with portions of its interior including the Oak Bar, a Tudor Revival/Jacobethan Revival style room, specifically part of the designated Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The Oak Bar has been renovated, altered and redecorated over the years and a new prospective tenant, identifying itself as Victory Real Estate ("Victory") is negotiating with the owners of the Plaza, Elad Properties, to lease the Oak Bar, contingent  on obtaining approval from LPC for additional alterations; and

WHEREAS, Victory has applied to LPC for Approval to create a new opening and doorway at the westerly side of the Oak Bar to allow for access to a non-designated corridor (containing conduits, a sound  system and other equipment) between the bar and the Oak Room; and

WHEREAS,  A new stairway will be constructed  in this non-designated corridor leading to rest rooms to be located in the basement of the Hotel, directly below the Oak Bar, for the use of patrons of the Oak Bar; and

WHEREAS, Victory views this opening and door as a necessary amenity for the bar patrons who now have to exit the Oak Bar and use an inconvenient  stairway across a hallway to get to rest rooms in the basement "Food Hall" of the hotel; and

WHEREAS, The proposed opening, measuring 4 ft. wide X 6 ft. 8 in. high, would be cut through non-original wood paneling; and 

WHEREAS, The new door would have hinges facing the non-designated area and would be faced with similar wood paneling on its reverse side as it has on the front to minimize any visual impact when the door is opened; and

WHEREAS, Victory has agreed to present any proposed signage for the new doorway, if it the alteration is approved by LPC, to CB5 for its review and comments; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to create a new interior opening and doorway at the westerly side of the Oak Bar, Plaza Hotel, 768 - 770 Fifth Avenue. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 11 West 20th Street, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, is an historic store and loft building, in the Neo-Renaissance style, built in 1901 by architect George W. Spitzer and was part of the later development of Ladies' Mile; and

WHEREAS, The application is for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace four wood single double hung windows (black finish), with four aluminum single double hung windows (black finish) on the 8^th floor; and

WHEREAS, It is nine stories tall and 36 feet wide with a stone façade, and with four arched wood windows at the top which the applicants proposes to change to aluminum;  and

WHEREAS, CB5 and LPC voted in 1995 to approve a similar application for the ninth floor windows designed and fabricated as by the same manufacturer; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of this application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the 8th Floor at 11 West 20th Street (Ladies' Mile Historic District).

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 20 West 23^rd Street, is a commercial building located in the  Ladies Mile Historic District and the owners have applied to LPC for a C of A to renovate the building facade to install new windows on the first two floors and a new entry door at the westerly side of the building; and

WHEREAS, The building was originally a residence but has been used for commercial/retail purposes for many decades and is in need of restoration; and

WHEREAS, The owners have proposed a redesign of the first two floors consisting of:

1.      Restoration and cleaning of the original cast iron columns at either end of the building;

2.      Replacement of the existing (not original) windows on the second floor with six new windows similar to the six windows shown in a historic Tax photograph;

3.      Renovation of the storefront including installation of four glass bifold doors that can be opened outward for possible future restaurant uses;

4.      Replacement of the entrance doorway at the easterly side of the building and the addition of a matching doorway at the westerly side of the building for the retail store access;

5.      Installation of four new light fixtures above the second floor, design to be determined in consultation with LPC staff; and

WHEREAS, CB5 finds the adaptive reuse considerations of the new design acceptable to modernize the building; and

WHEREAS, The building will appear harmonious with other recently renovated adjacent buildings; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for 20 West 23^rd Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, CB5 was notified in a letter dated June 17, 2011 that LPC has scheduled a Public Hearing on July 12, 2011 for the proposed designation of Martha Washington Hotel, 27-31 East 29th St. (AKA 30 East 30th St.)  as an individual NYC Landmark; and

WHEREAS, This twelve-story Renaissance Revival style building was one of the first New York residential buildings to cater to  the needs of the new single, working women of the early 20th century, built at a time when many women were beginning to create lives for themselves apart from husbands and families; and

WHEREAS, The building was the project of the Woman's Hotel Company whose funds were raised by subscriptions, many from women themselves, and it had apartments for about 500 women as well as 150 rooms for transient guests; and

WHEREAS, The structure, built in 1903, was designed by architect Robert W. Gibson, who was also responsible for the design of the West End Collegiate Church, Morton and Nellie Plan House (now Cartier's on Fifth Avenue), and the New York Botanical Garden Museum (now Library) Building, all designated New York City Landmarks; and

WHEREAS, The building, now known as Hotel 30-30, goes through the block from 29th to 30th Streets and is faced with Indiana limestone and pink brick with terra-cotta ornamental panels and it is highlighted by a broad, overhanging cornice; and 

WHEREAS, The building features Palladian windows, splayed lintels with keystones, and balconies with iron railings with the main, centrally-located entrance is on 29th Street, while the ground floor on 30th Street has two prominent arched entranceways; the second story serves as a piano nobile with over-scaled windows, quoins and balconies fronting the windows; and 

WHEREAS, The social, cultural and historic importance of this building are compelling enough to qualify it for designation apart from its impressive architectural significance; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the proposed designation of Martha Washington Hotel, 27-31 East 29th St. (AKA 30 East 30th St.) as an individual NYC Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The owner of 600 Fifth Avenue (between 48^th and 49^th Streets), a landmarked building in Rockefeller Center, has made an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") for the installation of a storefront revolving door, modifications to two storefront bays, and signage, on the north 49^th Street façade; and

WHEREAS, The 49^th Street north façade will be modified by replacing the doorway with a bronze revolving door and two ADA-compliant swing doors, and removing the existing bronze signage panel over the storefront and removing the non-original, illuminated sign boxes above the window on each side of the doorway and installing over the doorway and each of the windows a new non-illuminated black-back painted glass sign band with bronze letters matching other typical Rockefeller Center storefronts, while maintaining the existing outer bronze frame and sill of the windows;  and

WHEREAS, The proposed changes to the 49^th Street north façade of 600 Fifth Avenue previously had been approved by Community Board Five in 2007, but the application was not presented to the LPC and the work was not performed and the Applicant has resubmitted the proposed work to LPC; and

WHEREAS, The proposed changes to the storefront, signage, and windows at 600 Fifth Avenue are similar to and harmonious with the existing storefronts, signage, and windows in Rockefeller Center and such changes improve the 49^th Street façade of 600 Fifth Avenue; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for the modification of the storefront, signage, and windows at the 49^th Street façade of 600 Fifth Avenue, and, in addition, urges the applicant, on behalf of Rockefeller Center, to develop and submit to LPC a master plan for the storefronts, signage, and related windows for Rockefeller Center.

The Executive Committee of Community Board Five unanimously passed the above resolution to recommend approval.

WHEREAS, 15 East 26^th Street, a twenty- story Neo-Medieval Style loft building is located in the Madison Square North Historic District, and

WHEREAS, The 1910-1912 era building's upper twelve floors were converted to residential use between 2006 - 2008, and

WHEREAS, The Condominium Association has submitted an application to modify the central residential entry (which had been the main commercial lobby entrance and had a non-historic marquee that was removed) while maintaining the historic fabric of the facade, by replacing  non-historic canopy and adding wall sconces on either side of the canopy, and

WHEREAS, The proposal respects the overall symmetry of the façade, and the proposed glass topped canopy design is harmonious with the building's design in that it repeats motifs found in the architectural stone work, iron grillwork and incorporated the existing structural tiebacks, and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to complete a full restoration of the lower four floors in conjunction with the canopy application including repairing or replacing in-kind limestone panels and ornamentation, and

WHEREAS, The applicant has received letters of support from the neighboring building 225 5^th Avenue, the Flatiron Partnership and the Madison Square Park Conservancy, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval the installation of a new entry canopy and lighting sconces at 15 East 26^th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 150 Fifth Avenue, located within the Ladies Mile Historic District, with facades on Fifth Avenue and West 20th Street, is a nine story Romanesque Revival building with heavily rusticated masonry at the ground and first floors which was built in 1888-1890 for the Methodist Book Concern and designed by Edward Hale Kendall; and

WHEREAS, There continues to be a significant amount of original material in the façade of the building, although there have been changes that have obstructed portions of the façade by previous tenants, including cladding in pink marble in the arch surrounding one of the Fifth Avenue bays and alterations in the placement of doors among, other revisions; and

WHEREAS, New Balance is proposing to make revisions only to the bay on the northeast corner of the façade (of five bays in total) by removing the current placards to expose the original masonry; and

WHEREAS, The work will also include adding double doors in this bay as entrance to the New Balance store, creating a symmetry that was lost during previous façade renovations; and

WHEREAS, The requested work will match existing original material and restore the historic profile of the Fifth Avenue façade; and

WHEREAS, The application also includes the addition of red awnings in all five bays being used by New Balance; the awnings will be retractable and do not obstruct the original masonry, and have been approved as meeting the historic district guidelines by the staff of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission at the staff level; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by 150 Fifth Avenue to make revisions to their façade and add red awnings in all five bays.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 51 West 52^nd Street, the CBS Building, also known as "Black Rock," constructed between 1961 and 1964, has been an individual NYC Landmark since 1997; and

WHEREAS, The building was the only NYC skyscraper designed by the renowned Finnish architect, Eero Saarinen, who was commissioned by the then CBS Chairman, William S. Paley, with additional design work done by the eminent architects, Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo, after Saarinen's death; and

WHEREAS, Paley was determined to build a new company headquarters that could compete in architectural prestige with NBC's headquarters at Rockefeller Center and it would have to be of the highest aesthetic quality; and

WHEREAS, The CBS Building became New York's first postwar reinforced concrete skyscraper and one of the first to use an exterior bearing wall at a time when the glass curtain wall of the International Style was in vogue; and

WHEREAS, The CBS headquarters is a freestanding 38-story, 800,000 sq. ft. tower sheathed in flame-textured Canadian black granite and glass and stands in a sunken plaza that occupies the entire western end of the block bounded by Fifth and Sixth Avenues and West 52nd and 53rd Streets; and

WHEREAS, The plaza is paved in a gray granite slightly lighter in color than the granite used in the building's piers and is sunken below street level by approximately two feet forming a retaining wall with parapets and vertical slits on the inside faces; and

WHEREAS, The western portion of the ground floor was originally leased to a branch of the Bank of New York and afterwards as offices for Cushman Wakefield Real Estate Management and the eastern portion of the lobby housed the Ground Floor Restaurant, which was meant to rival Seagram Building's The Four Seasons, but today houses The China Grill; and

WHEREAS, The new tenant for the westerly ground level retail space, Charles Schwab, has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of two vertical granite vertical "totems" to be placed in front of the building and a long, horizontal granite free-standing planter, all containing the Charles Schwab trademarked signage, to be located in the 6^th Avenue Plaza; and

WHEREAS, These three new plaza elements, clad with the same variety of granite matching the building exterior, were designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and are intended to be harmonious with the character and materials of the Landmark and can be removed in the future, if necessary; and

WHEREAS, The two rectangular "totems" will be 12 1/2 ft. high, 2 ft. deep and wide, and will have the Charles Schwab name in letters pin-mounted vertically 7ft. 3 in., on all four sides; the planter will be 15 ft. long, 2 ft. 6 in. high and 2 ft. 10 in. deep, with triangulated-shaped ends; all three will be illuminated by in-ground light fixtures; in addition, there will be 3 ft. by 2 ft. computerized vinyl signs set on the outside windows of the Schwab premises plus signage above both entrance doors, all with the Charles Schwab trademarked name; and

WHEREAS, The proposed signage above the horizontal granite planter appears to be too overwhelming and out of scale with all the other plaza and building signage; and

Totem (two signs)

• granite totem: 12' 6" tall and 2' x 2' around
• bronze signage: 7" tall, 3/4" thick; total length of signage ("Charles Schwab") 7' 3"

Planter (one sign)

• granite base: 17' 6" long, 2' 6" tall, 2' 10" deep
• bronze signage: 15" tall, 4" thick; total length of signage ("Charles Schwab") 15'; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five denies the CBS Building, 51 West 52^nd Street, C of A application for the installation of two vertical "totems" a free-standing horizontal planter with signage elements in the 6^th Avenue Plaza unless the following conditions are met:

1.      The proposed signage above the horizontal planter should be eliminated and replaced by smaller signage on the face of the planter

2.      These three new plaza elements are approved for duration of the Charles Schwab lease of 15 years plus a five year renewal period if the lease is extended.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 6 opposed; 1 abstaining; 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 52 West 21st Street is a five-story commercial/loft retail and residential building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The previous owner appeared before CB5 and was denied approval by CB5 on December 13, 2007 for repairs, renovation and restoration of the facade for reasons detailed in the CB5 Resolution set forth below; and

WHEREAS, Exterior renovations were done without conforming to the requirements of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and the current owner is now seeking to "legalize" these facade modifications; and

WHEREAS, The scope of work that was performed improved the appearance of the building which had been in a severely deteriorated condition, but did not meet the required architectural drawings, plans, details and specifications presented to LPC, since they failed to include:

                                    1. Decorative spandrels between the floors

                                    2. Window sash, frames and mullions as depicted 

                                    3. Sign band above the ground floor storefront

                                    4. Panel bulkheads at ground floor

                                    5. Deep cornices

                                    6. Use of appropriate Historic materials and colors throughout the facade; and

WHEREAS, The current appearance of the building is out of character with the Historic District, especially with the two immediately adjacent buildings; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to legalize facade renovations at 52 West 21st Street.

The above resolution passed  by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 200 Fifth Avenue, originally called the Fifth Avenue Building, later known as the International Toy Center, is in the Ladies' Mile Historic District and is a neo-Renaissance style store and loft building built in 1908 - 1909, designed by Maynicke & Franke; and

WHEREAS, In 1909, the owners installed  an ornamental street clock in front of the building replacing a prior clock which was removed when the previous building housing the Fifth Avenue Hotel was demolished in 1908; and

WHEREAS, Desiring their clock to be in keeping with the high tone of their new office building, the owners commissioned the esteemed Brooklyn firm of Hecla Iron Works to produce their clock case; and

WHEREAS, Hecla had produced 133 cast iron NYC Subway kiosks as well as important cast iron building facades like the B. Altman & Co. Department Store and the New York Life Insurance Building; and

WHEREAS, This is one of the most ornate street clocks in the city, sitting on a rectangular base with classical ornamentation, a fluted Ionic column rising to a capital inspired by the work of 16th Century Venetian architect Vioncenzo Scamozzi, with two large dials on its face which advertised the "Fifth Avenue Building," surrounded by oak leaf wreaths and, to make the cast iron clock even more a work of art, it was then gilded; and

WHEREAS, As the result of a vehicular accident, the base of the street clock has been severely damaged and the clock has not been kept in good working condition for a number of years; and

WHEREAS, According to a September 6, 2007 CB5 Resolution approving a Master Plan for the building, as consideration for major building modifications and renovations, the owners of 200 Fifth Avenue "agreed to preserve and keep in good working order the landmarked sidewalk clock," which they have failed to do; and

WHEREAS, Tiffany & Co. has signed a lease with the owner, L & L Holding Co. for 260,000 sq. ft. of the 800,000 sq. ft. building and has applied for a C of A to refurbish the street clock, reportedly including replacing the existing "Fifth Avenue Building" lettering with the Tiffany name on the clock face; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant failed to appear at the scheduled CB5 Landmarks Committee meeting on May 3, 2011 to describe its proposal; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five denies the application by Tiffany & Co. to refurbish the existing street clock in front of 200 Fifth Avenue; and be it further, 

RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests the building owner to fulfill its obligation to preserve and restore the street clock with its original decorative features as set forth in the September 6, 2007 Community Board Five resolution without making any changes in the wording on the clock face; and be it further 

RESOLVED, CB5 would not object if a small metal plaque were set into the sidewalk pavement near the clock attributing the clock restoration to Tiffany & Co., if Tiffany & Co. assumes the responsibility for the restoration and underwrites the cost.

:The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

Dear Chair Tierney:

At the scheduled monthly meeting of Community Board Five on Thursday, April 14, 2011, the Board passed the following resolution :

WHEREAS, 21 East 26^th Street is a through-block, 5-story, neo-Classical, office and showroom building designed in 1924 by Treanor & Fatio Architects and located in the Madison Square North Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The site was once occupied by a taller building as evidenced by "shadows" located on the party wall; and

WHEREAS, The rooftop addition, clad in brick that matches the existing facade, will not be visible from the public way with two exceptions:  1) a code mandated safety railing and 2) a portion of a stairwell bulkhead that is only slightly visible when standing inside Madison Square Park and only when the trees are in leafless condition; and

WHEREAS, On the 26^th Street 3-bay, façade all the windows will be replaced to match the existing historic windows, the existing entry door in the east bay will be replaced with a new, historically appropriate door; and

WHEREAS, As part of an adaptive re-use, a new, historically appropriate entry will be created on the west bay; and

WHEREAS, The East 27th Street side of the building has a non-contributing utilitarian façade with louvered windows and a non-descript delivery door is proposed to be converted to storefront retail, and

WHEREAS, On the 27^h Street upper façade will be fully restored with the same historically replicated windows, and

WHEREAS, the applicant agreed to revise the modern plate-glass design storefront and to include mullions in an arrangement that are more appropriate to the historic façade and other storefronts in the District.

WHEREAS, retail tenants will file applications for any proposed signage or lighting, to be reviewed by CB 5, and

WHEREAS, the Application as presented is a vast improvement from the initial application; therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application to replace the cornice, rooftop additions and other building modifications at 21 East 26^th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 636 Avenue of the Americas, with facades on Avenue of the Americas (extending 68 feet) and West 19th Street (extending 152 feet), is a six-story neo-Renaissance store building, constructed in 1896 and designed by Buchman and Deisler and named the Alexander Building, after the person who acquired the building in 1897 for use as a shoe store; and

WHEREAS, 636 Avenue of the Americas is located within the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Although the ground floor of the building has been extensively altered, the upper levels retain much of the original detail, including pilasters creating bays, arched windows, and a narrow cornice on the Sixth Avenue façade and, on the more elaborate 19th Street façade, a large central section flanked by pavilions, bays, an arch on the third story flanked by masonry balconies, elaborate Renaissance-style window surrounds on the 4th and 5th floors, and a crowning cornice that continues the cornice on Sixth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, A fire escape was previously installed on the 19th Street façade over three bays, with a portion of the cornice removed at the uppermost level to facilitate the completion and use of the fire escape; and

WHEREAS, The owner is applying to remove the abandoned, non-original, non-ornamental fire escape, and to re-create the window openings where doors to the fire escape were inserted into the façade and restore the cornice where it was removed for fire escape access to the roof; and

WHEREAS, The existing door openings on the second through sixth floor façade will be infilled to restore the original window dimension using brick and limestone to match the original materials and profiles; and

WHEREAS, The materials for the windows will be high performance, thermally broken aluminum sash with insulated glazing and sightlines and profiles consistent with the existing; and

WHEREAS, The missing portion of the cornice will be replaced with a painted metal cornice to match the existing cornice, including ornamental details; and

WHEREAS, The owner proposes modifying the existing entrance and canopy to replace three narrow bays that now include freight doors ornamented in an Art Deco style inconsistent with the original and a sloping canvas awning that obscures the first tier of transom lights above the doors and the removal of non-original sconces framing this section; and

WHEREAS, The proposed entrance would widen the entrance to engage two of the three bays to restore the emphasis on the entrance rather than the freight handling and will include contemporary tempered glass doors and transoms with the upper transom lights restored to within their historic frames; and

WHEREAS, The owner proposes an awning of metal and glass in a contemporary design to provide protection and mark the entrance at the far eastern edge of the 19th Street portion of the building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the request to remove the fire escape and restore the cornice and windows that were altered due to the addition of the firescape; and, therefore be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends approval of the request to revise the entrance at the eastern edge of the building, including the proposed canopy, signage and entry.

 The above resolution passed in two parts as follows:

Part 1 - By a vote of 35 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstained

Part 2 - By a vote of 23 in favor, 13 opposed 

WHEREAS, The Plaza Hotel, 768 Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, is a Renaissance style "chateau" designed by the famed architect, Henry J. Hardenbergh,  built in 1905-07 and opened in 1907 with an addition designed by Warren and Wetmore, built in 1921; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation it is considered "the greatest hotel in the world" and it is an individual New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, It is one of the most famous and historic hotels in the world, known for its architecture as well as for its history, host to historic events and woven into the fabric of New York's past; and

WHEREAS, The owner of the hotel and the owner of one of the residential penthouse condominium units have filed an Application to NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for proposed alterations to the exterior of the Hotel at the Penthouse level of the north façade, which will be reviewed by the full commission at a Public Hearing May 3, 2011; and

WHEREAS, The proposed alterations involve the following changes to the building's Penthouse level:

1. Penthouse level retractable awnings:  Although, according to historic photos, there were never awnings at the Penthouse level, the Applicant proposes to install retractable awnings with dark green fabric, which would be in an unopened position much of the time (Note: Historic photos show that there were awnings at a lower level of the Hotel that were vertically striped white and a dark color and that a skirt on the marquee in 1937 was vertically striped green and white, but such awnings at the Penthouse level would draw attention more than the proposed solid dark green which would blend into the facade); and

2. Proposed railing replacement and windows at Penthouse level:  Applicant proposes to replace four sections of the steel railing on the terrace with tempered glass (Note: Two sections of the steel railing have already been replaced with glass at an adjacent condominium unit. Applicant wants to replace the remaining four sections of aluminum with glass to unify the six sections of terrace railings and has already received approval by an LPC certificate of no effect.  Windows along the terrace would be lengthened by three feet, by removing the knee wall which would add more light and give better views from the apartment.  However, the lowest part of the glass would not be visible since it will be concealed by a concrete parapet wall); and

3. Replacement of sloped aluminum panels with windows:  Applicant proposes to replace existing upward sloping aluminum panel sections with glass panels with bronze mullions (Note: At an adjacent residential unit two solid aluminum panels have already been replaced with glass and Applicant wants to replace remaining four panels with glass). This change would provide harmony for all six panels; and

WHEREAS, Although most of the changes and alterations to the Penthouse level will not be visible from the street or Central Park, the additional glass may be the source of some "glare" or reflection of sunlight at a distance from the Hotel.  CB 5 considers such glare or reflections not significant enough in scope and effect to deny the Application; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for proposed alterations at the north facade of the Penthouse level of The Plaza Hotel, 768 Fifth Avenue and 59th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining: and 1 Present but Not Entitled to Vote.

WHEREAS, 510 Fifth Avenue, aka 508-514 Fifth Avenue; 2 West 43rd Street, Manufacturers Trust Company Building, has been an  individual Exterior Landmark since 1997 and  the first two floors were approved by LPC as an Interior Landmark on February 15, 2011 ( CB 5  concurred, Approving unanimously on February 10, 2011 by a vote of 33-o with 1 Abstention); and

WHEREAS, The current owner, Vornado Realty Trust, has applied to LPC for a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to parts of the exterior and the designated interior portions to adaptively reuse the former bank building into spaces to accommodate two retail tenants; and

WHEREAS, One of the two tenants has been determined to be Joe Fresh, a retail clothing subsidiary of  Loblaw Companies Ltd., Canada's largest food distributor, which will lease the northerly portion of the ground floor and all of the second floor, as its first entry into the United States market, intending it  to be its flagship store in this highly visible and iconic building with a prized location; and

WHEREAS, Vornado reported to CB 5 that it was unable to find a single suitable tenant for the entire two floors and is still in the process of seeking the second tenant for the southerly portion of the ground floor where the prominent Mosler vault door, which can be seen from Fifth Avenue, is situated; and

WHEREAS, Given the adaptive reuse of the building for retail purposes at street level, prospective tenants require new Fifth Avenue entrances plus other significant interior building modifications at street level and the second floor to meet their needs; and

WHEREAS, Vornado has engaged the services of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the original architects for the building,to restore some of the significant Landmarked portions of the interior of the building which, until last month were not designated, as well as to redesign certain interior and exterior building elements for the new retail tenants; and

WHEREAS, The restoration includes:

1.      Replacing the existing yellow acrylic panels with new acrylic panels to give a unified reading to the building similar to its original white appearance, i.e., the original ceiling design was  luminous  and the lighting source was cold cathode with a white color rendition; over the years the energy inefficient light source was changed to fluorescent with inconsistent color temperature;

2.      Removing an existing (not original) ceiling divide between the first and second floors to restore it to a mezzanine-like condition with a new glass ceiling

3.      Cleaning and polishing the existing vault door

4.      Replacing the original Bertoia-designed Screen Sculpture, which was removed by Chase, prior to Interior Designation, with a new screen designed by SOM (Note: CB 5 requested that Chase be contacted by LPC to request the Bertoia screen to be returned, and according to Vornado, Chase has set a prohibitive price for it as a work of art); and

WHEREAS, The redesign includes:

1.      Two new entrances on Fifth Avenue and moving the former Chase Banking Floor entrance further west on West 43rd Street, all in three glass door modules, the same as the original building doors, which can be changed in the future, depending on prospective tenancies

2.      A new demising wall separating the two retail tenants at the ground floor with an 18" glass portion at the top, in compliance with NYC Building Code requirements

3.      Demolishing the concrete vault and its interior, just leaving the vault door and its surrounding concrete 

4.      Installing a new glass elevator connecting the ground and second floors and relocating and redesigning the two existing escalators to suit the interior circulation needs of  the new tenant, Joe Fresh

5.      New signage for the retail tenants which has not been designed as yet; and

WHEREAS,  This C of A is calendared for a Hearing at LPC for March 15, 2011 and details and renderings of signage for the new tenant, Joe Fresh, and the prospective tenant for the southerly space have not been presented to CB 5; and 

WHEREAS, The Applicant has agreed to return to CB 5 for a presentation of its signage proposal; therefore, be it 

RESOLVED, CB5 approves a Certificate of Appropriateness Application for alterations to the exterior and the designated interior portions of 510 Fifth Avenue, aka 508-514 Fifth Avenue; 2 West 43rd Street, Manufacturers Trust Company Building, based on its presentation to CB 5; and, be it further 

RESOLVED, CB5 does not approve any new signage for 510 Fifth Avenue until the Applicant makes a complete, satisfactory presentation of such signage to CB 5.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 26 in favor; 2 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has proposed amendments to existing rules and new rules relating to HVAC, new window openings on secondary facades, rear yard additions, temporary permits, rooftop additions, bracket signs and storefront signage, expedited certificates of no effect, new sash and frames in historic district buildings, and revocation of approvals; and

WHEREAS, The LPC has stated that the amendments are being proposed in order to reflect current practices and policies at the LPC, to streamline the review of certain applications and to add new rules to address perceived inadequacies of the existing rules; and

WHEREAS, The proposed amendments would allow certain work on landmarked properties that currently requires a public hearing and approval by the LPC commissioners to be approved by LPC staff without community input; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five recognizes the need to be cautious when granting additional authority to the LPC staff to make decisions without public review and input from the Community Board and the public at large; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five also recognizes that LPC staff already has certain decision-making authority which reduces the time and expense of applicants when making routine applications for certain types of work in accordance with LPC guidelines; and

WHEREAS, LPC is in the process of developing on online Public Application Filing and Outcome Notification System, so that future actions taken by the Commission will be subject to increased Public Review, thereby alleviating some of CB 5's concerns; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has reviewed the proposed rule amendments and considered comments from both the LPC and independent preservationists; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that the proposed rule amendments are on the whole sufficiently detailed to provide specific guidance for LPC staff decisions and will positively streamline the review process, which will both benefit applicants and allow the LPC commissioners to focus their public hearings on extraordinary and problematic proposals; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five recommends that the LPC in its continued consideration of the proposed amendments take the opportunity to clarify any potentially ambiguous language to further assist the staff review process; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission's proposed rules amendment.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 7 West 54th Street, the Lehman Mansion, is an individual NYC Landmark and is an outstanding example of one of the "Bankers Row" former residences along West 54th Street, across the street facing the Museum of Modern Art; and

WHEREAS, the Mansion, built in 1900, remained in the Lehman family's ownership over the years and Robert Lehman held onto 7 West 54th Street - not to live in, but as a private gallery - until he died in 1969; and

WHEREAS, the current owner, Zimmer Lucas Capital, a hedge fund, occupies the entire property and has maintained it in "museum quality" condition according to Christopher Gray, who wrote in the NY Times June 18, 2006:

Robert Lehman succeeded his father as the head of Lehman Brothers and expanded his art collection, turning it into the reservoir of European masterpieces that now forms the Lehman Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. . In exchange for his collection, Mr. Lehman had dearly wanted the Metropolitan to dismantle and rebuild his entire house at the museum. The Met worked out a compromise in which the rooms were stripped of much of their paneling and other architectural elements, then taken apart and rebuilt in the Lehman Wing, which opened in 1975.  The Met has agreed to deaccession some of the original elements so that they can be reinstalled: stained-glass windows, fireplace surrounds, doors and other items that the museum never had any hopes of using; and

WHEREAS, Zimmer Lucas has invested substantial amounts of money in the preservation of this handsome Beaux Arts property and now seeks to install a new guard rail and gate at the street level to bring the building into compliance with the NYC Building Code for safety and security purposes; and

WHEREAS, the materials to be used and the designs will match other historic building elements; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for new guard rail and gate at 7 West 54th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, On February 1, 2011 the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the designation of the interior of the former Manufacturers Trust Company Building at 510 Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, This Hearing took place before Community Board Five was given sufficient time to consider and take a position on the matter; and

WHEREAS, This 1954 Modern masterpiece, designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill and completed in 1954, was designated as an individual NYC Landmark in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Only the exterior of the building was actually protected at the time of designation; and  

WHEREAS, The first and second floor interiors of the five story building are considered integral elements of the transparent building faced with curtain wall glass; and

WHEREAS, In October 2010, JPMorgan Chase, the successor to Manufacturers Trust, vacated the building (which is now owned by Vornado Realty Trust) and removed a 70 foot building long, site-specific wall sculpture by the note sculptor, Harry Bertoia; and

WHEREAS, Bertoia's sculptures are in the Brooklyn, Cleveland, Smithsonian, Philadelphia Art Museums, Cornell University, Dallas Public Library and Chicago Botanic Gardens; and

WHEREAS, Prominent preservationists and architects, including Historic Districts Council, DOCOMOMO/Tri-State, Preservation League of New York State, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Recent Past Preservation Network, and Institute for Classical Architecture & Classical America, have called for interior designation of the first two floors; and

WHEREAS, At the February 1, 2011 LPC hearing a dozen individuals spoke in favor of the designation, including representatives of Vornado Realty, the present owner, and Skidmore Owings and Merrill, the original architects; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the proposed designation first and second floor interiors of 510Fifth Avenue, aka 508-514 Fifth Avenue; 2 West 43^rd Street, Manufacturers Trust Company Building; and be it further 

RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests that the LPC request that JPMorgan Chase return the entire Harry Bertoia sculpture to the building and that it be incorporated into any future use, retail or otherwise.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 52 West 22nd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues) is a four-story townhouse built in 1851 and located within the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The building is 23 feet wide, faced in painted brownstone, with many original details; and

WHEREAS, A fifth and sixth floor, comprising a duplex apartment, was constructed in 2007; and

WHEREAS, The two additional floors are not visible from the street from any direction; and

WHEREAS, The application calls for adding a 167 square foot addition to the roof apartment to provide additional living space; and

WHEREAS, The proposed addition will also not be visible from the street from any direction; and

WHEREAS, The materials being used for this unit will match the existing materials in the apartment constructed in 2007; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application for a penthouse addition at 52 West 22^nd Street.

The   resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 11 West 19^th St is an eleven story Beaux Arts commercial building of 224,000 sf designed by Robert Maynieke, built in 1903-04, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, 11 West 19th Street features entrances on both 19th and 20th Streets  and has an elegant, rusticated facade with arched windows on the second, ninth and eleventh floors, three stringcourses and a robust cornice; and

WHEREAS, The owner, 11 West 19^th Associates LLC, has applied to NYC Landmark Preservation Commission for the approval of an addition of a new two level Penthouse on the 12^th Floor of 7,569 sf with a mezzanine of 2,567 sf, for a total of 10,136 sf; and

WHEREAS, The new addition is set back 20 feet from the building's front and side parapet walls and will add less than 5% to the building's floor area; and

WHEREAS, The architect Joseph Pell Lombardi, a well-regarded preservationist, has constructed a wooden "mock up" on the roof of 11 West 19^th St  in accordance with the requirements of NYC LPC; and

WHEREAS, Visual inspection by a member of CB5 from the surrounding streets reveals that the new structure cannot be seen from the public way; and

WHEREAS, The Penthouse design is based on a study of other nearby rooftop additions and the majority of building materials used  match neighboring buildings; and

WHEREAS, The new addition will be utilized only as commercial office space; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five Landmarks Committee recommends approval of the application for a new penthouse structure at 11 West 19^th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 62 West 22nd Street is a two story commercial/retail building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, dating back to 1849, which was extensively renovated and contains very little, if any, of the historic architectural features of the original four story building, which had its top two stories removed in 1935; and

WHEREAS, The 1989 Historic District Designation Report notes the nondescript character of the building and lack of historic features; and

WHEREAS, A new tenant, Subway (the sandwich shop chain), has applied to LPC for approval of a new, modern storefront design for the building that has fallen into disrepair; and

WHEREAS, The architect for the new Subway store presented a design to CB5 that had a limited relationship to the Historic District; and 

WHEREAS, The architect did not want to withdraw the proposal until such time that a more faithful presentation could be made to CB5 since Subway reportedly has signed a lease and wants to open for business as soon as possible; and

WHEREAS, The architect did not provide any of the following items to justify his design:

1.      Historic or tax photographs of the building and the neighboring properties prior to demolition of the upper floors in 1935 which could be used as guidance for a new storefront;

2.      Photographs of LPC-approved storefront renovations located elsewhere in the Historic District;

3.      Samples or renderings of materials and colors to be used; and

WHEREAS, CB5 is concerned about the following facade elements which may have to be modified to provide more consonance with the character of the Historic District:

1.      Size, LED lighting and color of the "SUBWAY" sign above the entrance;

2.      Material and color to be used for the new 22" wide metal canopy above the storefront;

3.      Size and frame of the new glass storefront window which the architect conceded could be one piece instead of in two pieces as shown to CB 5;

4.      Samples of the new, "brick-like material" to be used to replace removed brick;

5.      Type, placement (interior/exterior?) and appearance of new roll down gates;

6.      Lack of plans for the renovation of the second floor facade (which Subway may not be responsible to perform); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, CB5 recommends denial of the Application for 62 West 22nd Street, Ladies Mile Historic District, storefront renovations.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Brunswick Building, 225 Fifth Avenue, E/S between 26^th and 27^th Street, is a twelve story beaux arts store, loft and office building, designed by Francis H. Kimball and Harry E. Donnell, Associated Architects, built in 1906-1907 and is located in the Madison Square North Historic District, approved by LPC June 26, 2001.; and

WHEREAS, The building is on the site of the very fashionable Brunswick Hotel which was demolished when this building was constructed; and

WHEREAS, For many years this building was an important office building known as the Gift and Art Center Building or New York Gift Building; and

WHEREAS, In 2006 the building was converted into 195 luxury condominium apartments, now known as the Grand Madison; and

WHEREAS, The Renaissance Revival building is constructed of multi-colored brick laid in a faint striped pattern, ornamented in contrasting limestone with a palazzo composition articulated by a rusticated, trabeated base and arcaded loggia under an impressive cornice; and

WHEREAS, The present storefronts are not historic and were installed 1938-1981, and the original terra cotta sixth floor balcony was removed 1981; and

WHEREAS, Several corrective changes are proposed for the three storefronts to minimally disturb historic elements of the façade; and 

WHEREAS, On East 27th Street, two existing windows are being restored, moldings are being added to utilitarian-looking doors, and a new sign at the loading dock will replace existing signage; and

WHEREAS, On Fifth Avenue, a circa 1980 marquee is being modified to integrate recessed lighting along with some minor aesthetic changes; two small bronze entry plaques will be added to either side of the main entry; a deteriorated sidewalk medallion is being reconstructed; and two non-historical sconces will be replaced; and

WHEREAS, On East 26th Street, existing service doors dating to the 1960's are being redesigned to be esthetically consistent with the existing stainless steel storefront windows; and

WHEREAS, 18 tree pits are being proposed facing all three street facades and a Neighborhood Tree Survey is being conducted to determine the most appropriate trees to be planted; and

WHEREAS, Although there may be some concern about the historical basis for the 18 trees to be planted, the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership has written a letter to CB5 expressing its full support of this addition as part of the BID's beautification efforts for the area it serves; and

WHEREAS, CB5 recognizes the proximity of the new trees to Madison Square Park, but considers the esthetic and environmental benefits consonant with the Mayor's MillionTreesNYC Initiative; and

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for façade work and tree planting at 225 Fifth Avenue, located on the East Side of Fifth Avenue between East 26^th and East 27^th Streets, in accordance with plans and specifications presented by the Applicant.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 32 West 40th Street (Engineer's Club), between 5th and 6th Avenues, designed by the architectural firm, Whitfield and King and built in 1906, has been proposed for designation as an individual NYC Landmark; and

WHEREAS, Henry D. Whitfield, the principal architect, was the brother of Andrew Carnegie's wife, Louise, and Carnegie donated $450,000 for 50% of the $900,000 construction cost of the 11-story building; and

WHEREAS, Mark Twain was the speaker at the building's dedication dinner in 1907 honoring Carnegie as its benefactor; and

WHEREAS, The  limestone and brick Georgian and Renaissance Revival building faces Bryant Park and has giant Corinthian pilasters appropriate in scale for the New York Public Library across the street and was renamed "The Columns" by the developer who converted it into 44 cooperative apartments in 1979; and

WHEREAS, The building has a rusticated one-story base, a two-story stone face above which the building's shaft is red brick with jagged stone quoins and has arched windows on the first, third and eleventh floors plus an impressive cornice and stone window surrounds; and

WHEREAS, The building once contained various meeting rooms, 66 bedrooms and a luxurious 300-seat dining room on the eleventh floor; and

WHEREAS, 32 West 40th Street (Engineer's Club) is an early example of the high-rise clubhouse building type, similar in many ways to the recently-designated Yale Club of New York City; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends that 32 West 40th Street (Engineer's Club) be designated as an Individual New York City Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Knickerbocker Hotel, 1466 Broadway, is a Beaux Arts style building of red brick with terra cotta details, with a prominent mansard roof, designed by Marvin & Davis, with Bruce Price, as Consultant, and built in 1902-1906, designated as a NYC Landmark in 1988 and put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Its Annex, 143 West 41st Street, connected internally to the hotel building, was designed by Phillip C. Brown, built in 1894, and is a part of the designated landmark as well; and

WHEREAS, Financed by John Jacob Astor, the Knickerbocker was a luxurious hotel and a popular dining and dancing spot in New York's new theatre district, and is the only survivor out of several grand hotels that were built in the Times Square area; and

WHERAS, Two of its most prominent long term residents were Enrico Caruso and George M. Cohan and it once contained a three story restaurant that could seat 2,000 people; and

WHEREAS, Its restaurant's bar once had the Maxfield Parrish "Old King Cole" mural which now hangs above the bar at the St. Regis Hotel; and

WHEREAS, The Knickerbocker closed in the 1920's, during the Depression, and was converted to office use and was later the home of Newsweek Magazine; and

WHEREAS, Most of the first two floors of the Knickerbocker are leased to a commercial tenant (The Gap - with approximately five years left on the lease) requiring a delay before this portion of the property can be integrated into the hotel; and

WHEREAS, The Application is to convert parts of the first floor and upper floors of the building for use as an as-of-right boutique hotel; and

WHEREAS, The scope of work will include:

• Knickerbocker Building - Restoration of the limestone and granite piers around the retail base of the building.
• Establishment of a Storefront Master Plan for the retail base of the building based on the historical street level design.
• Installation of two marquees - one at the main entrance to the hotel on West 42nd Street ,where the original main entrance was located, which will be expanded to three bays with a new glass and metal canopy- and another entrance with a similar, but smaller, canopy to be located on the Broadway side of the hotel.
• Reconstruction of the existing (and currently visible) rooftop penthouse, bulkheads, and mechanical equipment on the roof.
• Reconfiguration of the rear elevation (not visible from the surrounding streets and not described in the LPC Designation Report) involving some demolition in order to bring light and air to some of the hotel rooms at the rear of the building.
• Installation of small, minimally visible (and easily removable) exterior light fixtures on the Broadway and West 42nd Street facades to illuminate portions of the building.
• Knickerbocker Annex - Restoration of the cast iron and masonry facade elements and installation of new wood windows.
• Reconstruction of the rooftop stair bulkhead.
• Reconfiguration of the ground floor to accommodate a new loading dock to comply with NYC DOT requirements for a hotel of this size; and

WHEREAS, The proposed enlarged rooftop penthouse, new taller wooden water tank, bulkheads and mechanical equipment will be visible from several viewpoints but given the hotel's Times Square location and the surrounding buildings and signage this is not deemed to be a serious detriment to the project; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application is to convert parts of the first floor and upper floors of the Knickerbocker Building, 1466 Broadway, with an Annex at 143 West 41st Street, together an individual NYC Landmark, into a new hotel.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 120 Madison Avenue (American Academy of Dramatic Arts) is an individually designated NYC Landmark since 1966, designed by the eminent architect Stanford White, with a distinctive Federal Revival façade; and

WHEREAS, The building, opened in 1906, is the former "Colony Club," a private women's club, and since 1963 has been occupied by the American Academy of Dramatic Arts; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has filed a request with the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of an ADA Compliant access ramp to a secondary entrance door 30 inches, or five steps, up from the ground; and

WHEREAS, This ADA Compliant access is deemed necessary for students at the school, its employees and attendees at the three theaters housed in the building; and

WHEREAS, After exploring other possible solutions for wheel chair and other access for people with disabilities, including a mechanical lift device to the secondary entrance door, it was determined that the ramp offered the optimal alternative for the following reasons:

1.      An entrance ramp is more permanent than a mechanical device

2.      There would be no waiting (both annoying and awkward)  for the mechanical lift device to be unlocked and operated 

3.      More than one person can use the ramp at the same time

4.      There is no hazard of mechanical malfunction where the lift may become locked in an open position blocking emergency egress

5.      There is minimal risk of vandalism with a ramp as opposed to a mechanical device

6.      The ramp could be used for deliveries and other purposes such as baby carriage access

7.      A mechanical lift is less attractive than a well-designed ramp with a wrought iron railing

8.      Design motifs will be incorporated  in the ramp railing  reminiscent of  the original gate in front of the building that was removed before designation

9.      The ramp will cover over the stone stairs to the secondary entrance which will remain in place and not be demolished;  therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application for Exterior Renovations to construct an ADA Compliant access ramp at street level of 120 Madison Ave., American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of  The New York Public Library's iconic Landmark, Carrere and Hastings building at Fifth Avenue and West 42nd Street, the Library has applied for a C of A for a new banner design for the facade facing Fifth Avenue; and

 WHEREAS, The new design will reduce the number of banners from three to two which will be placed less conspicuously at either side of the main entrance; and 

WHEREAS, The two banners will each measure 6 feet in width and 24 feet in length and will be fabricated with a porous nylon material that will allow the banners to billow with air passing through the fabric; and

WHEREAS, The hardware,  using a high tension stainless steel wire rope and tension cords mounted to stainless steel eye bolts and cleats fastened to the marble, to mount the banners to the facade and to change the banners  for different exhibitions and events, will be minimally intrusive to the building's stonework; and

WHEREAS, The design was  developed in consultation with the Landmarks Preservation Commission staff using methods and materials designed to diminish the visual impact of the supporting hardware required to properly position the banners and will maintain aesthetic harmony with the existing architectural elements; and

WHEREAS, Similar banners have been successfully installed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the new banner design for the main branch of the NYPL at West 42nd Street and 5th Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining; 1 present but not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, A copy of this letter was made available to the Landmarks Committee of CB5 October 5, 2010, the same date as its Landmarks Committee Meeting; and

WHEREAS, This extremely late notice did not provide adequate time for members of CB5 to investigate and visit the site proposed for designation; and

WHEREAS, LPC has been repeatedly unresponsive to CB5's previous requests for postponement of hearings when the CB5 Monthly Calendar did not provide appropriate time for CB5 to perform its advisory role pursuant to Section 25-313 of the Administrative Code of NYC; and

WHEREAS, CB5 regards its advisory role seriously and was forced to act on this Proposed Designation with the limited information provided by LPC, a brief one page narrative including only one photograph, or be put in the position of not be heard at all by LPC; and 

WHEREAS, Hotel Wolcott was designed in the Beaux Arts tradtion by John H. Duncan, one of the City's most prominent architects at the turn of the last century; and

WHEREAS, Duncan is best known as the designer of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn and the General Ulysses S. Grant Tomb in Riverside Park, Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, The 12-story Hotel Wolcott is clad in limestone and clad brick, with a two-and-one-half-story rusticated base, two central bays of windows arranged with continuous elaborate metal oriels, decorative metal balconies, a profusion of carved stone ornament including cartouches and heads, a prominent modillioned cornice and a two-story mansard roof with dormers; and

WHEREAS, Over the years its occupants have included Henry Miller, Edith Wharton and Buddy Holly when it was a more fashionable hotel, and is now operated as a "discount" lodging, but retains its imposing facade very much intact; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, CB5 recommends approval of Hotel Wolcott, 4-10 West 31st Street (Fifth Avenue/Broadway) as a New York City Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 370 Park Avenue, is an individual NYC Landmark (New York Racquet and Tennis Club) designed  by McKim, Mead & White, completed in 1918, located on the west side of Park Avenue (between E. 52^nd and E. 53^rd Streets); and

WHEREAS, American Express, a retail tenant in the building, has applied to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") for approval of a new storefront design; and

WHEREAS, the existing storefront contains a blue fabric covered awning, which was added pre-designation, a double glass and steel door and an old ATM machine that has not been operational for years; and

WHEREAS, the proposed scope of work is to re-clad the awning with fabric of the same, existing blue color, add lighting to the underside of the awning, remove the old ATM machine and replace that area as well as the existing double door with a new, double door butt joint, glass and stainless steel entrance; and

WHEREAS, the proposed re-cladding of the awning and removal of the non-functioning ATM are consonant with the historic fabric of the building; and 

WHEREAS, the proposed addition of lighting to the awning and replacement of the existing entry door and ATM with a very modern looking, double glass door entrance are not considered complementary to the historic fabric of the building; and 

WHEREAS, the three entrance doorways should have a more cohesive, historically appropriate design that may be achieved with a master plan for all of the retail storefronts; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for American Express' storefront proposal at 370 Park Avenue since the proposed design is considered too modern, not harmonious with the other entry doors on Park Avenue and inappropriate for the historic character of the building.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 2 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") has notified Community Board Five ("CB5") of a Public Hearing to be held October 26, 2010 concerning the Proposed Designation of Mills Hotel No. 3, 485 Seventh Avenue , ( 155-63 West 36th Street) in a letter dated October 4, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a copy this letter was made available to the Landmarks Committee of CB5 October 5, 2010, the same date as its Landmarks Committee Meeting; and

WHEREAS, this extremely late notice did not provide adequate time for members of CB5 to investigate and visit the site proposed for designation; and

WHEREAS, LPC has been repeatedly unresponsive to CB5's previous requests for postponement of hearings when the CB5 Monthly Calendar did not provide appropriate time for CB5 to perform its Advisory role pursuant to Section 25-313 of the Administrative Code of NYC; and

WHEREAS, CB5 regards its Advisory role seriously and was forced to act on this Proposed Designation with the limited information provided by LPC, a brief one page narrative including only one photograph, or be put in the position of not being heard at all by LPC; and 

WHEREAS, 485 Seventh Avenue was the third and largest of three model residential hotels for single working men built by Darius Ogden Mills at the turn of the 20th Century, rising 16 stories in a neo-Renaissance building, with 1,885 single rooms, each with a window opening onto a street or a courtyard; and

WHEREAS, The Mills Hotel No. 3 was described by the New York Times as the "world's biggest hotel" and the "finest for the use of men of limited means" built in 1906-07 by Mills, a banker and philanthropist, especially concerned with the problems of housing the poor; and

WHEREAS, Mills was inspired by the architect, Ernest Flagg, who revolutionized the thinking about low cost urban housing in an article in Scribner's Magazine by calling for a new building type based on a 100-foot wide module, incorporating a central light court which would employ fewer wall enclosures, corridors and partitions than the traditional conventionally-planned tenement, resulting in greater room space, light, ventilation and fire protection; and

WHEREAS, This building and the two other Mills buildings (Mills No. 1, 160 Bleecker Street and  Mills No. 2, Rivington and Chrystie Streets) were the first in the country to realize these ideas and they served as the prototypes for future model tenements; and

WHEREAS, The building originally included amenities such as sitting rooms and lounges, a library-reading room, restaurant, barbershop and laundry; and

WHEREAS, Mills commissioned the architectural firm Copeland and Dole to design the building shortly after the construction of Pennsylvania Station; and

WHEREAS, The building's facades were "intended to present an impressive yet simple appearance," clad with limestone, light-colored brick and terra cotta, featuring some string courses, and cornices, fielded panels, cartouches, lion heads and a richly embellished Renaissance copper cornice; and 

WHEREAS, The architectural configuration, combined with its historic and cultural importance, qualify this building for Landmark status; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, CB5 recommends approval of Mills Hotel No. 3, 485 Seventh Avenue, (155-63 West 36th Street) as a NYC Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 3 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") has notified Community Board Five ("CB5") of a Public Hearing to be held October 26, 2010 concerning the Proposed Designation of 500 Fifth Avenue, (1-9 West 42nd Street) in a letter dated October 4, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a copy this letter was made available to the Landmarks Committee of CB5 October 5, 2010, the same date as its Landmarks Committee Meeting; and

WHEREAS, this extremely late notice did not provide adequate time for members of CB5 to investigate and visit the site proposed for designation; and

WHEREAS, LPC has been repeatedly unresponsive to CB5's previous requests for postponement of hearings when the CB5 Monthly Calendar did not provide appropriate time for CB5 to perform its Advisory role pursuant to Section 25-313 of the Administrative Code of NYC; and

WHEREAS, CB5 regards its Advisory role seriously and was forced to act on this Proposed Designation with the limited information provided by LPC, a brief one page narrative including only one photograph, or be put in the position of not being heard at all by LPC; and 

WHEREAS, 500 Fifth Avenue, (1-9 West 42nd Street) was designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon and was built in 1929-31 concurrently with their greatest achievement eight blocks south, the Empire State Building; and

WHEREAS, 500 Fifth Avenue is a soaring 59-story Art Deco skyscraper built on the NW corner of Fifth Avenue and West 42nd Street on site measuring 100 feet by 208 feet, to the maximum height and bulk allowable under the 1916 zoning code on two zoning lots, resulting in it having asymmetrically massed, differing setback requirements; and

WHEREAS, The building is sheathed in limestone, terra cotta and buff brick with its facades enriched with Art Deco motifs to accentuate the sculptural massing, all designed and arranged to emphasize the building's verticality; and

WHEREAS, The Architects are known for their other skyscraper designs in NYC and elsewhere including the Bankers Trust Building, 14 Wall Street, a designated NYC Landmark; and 

WHEREAS, The building has housed numerous important office and retail tenants throughout the years including the Austrian and Japanese Consulates and continues to command its prominent retail location; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, CB5 recommends approval of the Designation of 500 Fifth Avenue as a NYC Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, According to The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission's February 3, 1981 Designation Report:

"This handsome, meticulously detailed town house was built in 1897-99 for Dr. Moses Allen Starr, one of America's leading neurologists. Design in the neo-Renaissance style using principals of Beaux Arts composition by the noted architect Robert H. Robertson, the building is a distinguished example of the elegant residential architecture that once characterized the West Fifties between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and is one of an ensemble of five town houses on West 54^th Street."; and

WHEREAS, Unlike most of the remaining town houses found in the West Fifties, 5 West 54^th Street has not ever been altered to accommodate commercial retail usage, a post-World War I trend, and having been spared such usage, its masonry façade details have been preserved and maintained in pristine condition; and

WHEREAS, The two flagpoles that that are located between the second and third floors were installed after the building had been designated as an individual landmark at an indefinite date in either the late 1980's or the early 1990's; and

WHEREAS, Several of the adjacent landmark buildings do have existing flagpoles and banners, however because the two flagpoles at 5 West 54^th Street were installed without the prior consent from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, these are deemed as a violation of the buildings landmark status; and

WHEREAS, There is a possibility that removal of the flagpoles that have penetrated the façade masonry for approximately two decades would damage the historic building fabric in a way that may be challenging to repair; and

WHEREAS, The scale of the flagpoles and banners seems small and innocuous, and do not negatively obscure details of the masonry façade; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That although we would have preferred that the building owners would have sought the Landmarks Preservation Commission's permission prior to performing work on the designated landmark, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to legalize two flagpoles that have been installed in the façade of 5 West 54^th Street.

The above resolution passed  by a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, the building dates back to 1906 when it contained a well-known shoe store, Cannmeyer's, which the current owner recognized by re-naming the condominium/rental residential portion of the building "The Cannmeyer"; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant is requesting to install 3 large banners (4' X 12' 5") to direct customers to the store which is being relocated from the Avenue to the side street, for economic reasons, according to the Applicant; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant asserts that this type of retail activity provides an important service for the community, but the location does not have the visibility on the side street that it had on the Avenue; and 

WHEREAS, LPC policy specifies that only bracket signs are to be placed on buildings in this Historic District to maximize the visual impact of the architectural features of the facades; and

WHEREAS, LPC has made some exceptions to this policy including banners which were approved for the Limelight Marketplace directly across the street from the Applicant's premises; and

WHEREAS, the proliferation of banners for retail and other establishments is deemed to have a negative visual impact despite retailers' claims of economic need to attract customers in this manner; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the Application for installation of three banners at 50 West 20th Street (between 5th Avenue and Avenue of the Americas) in the Ladies' Mile Historic District

The above resolution passed by a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, the NYC Planning Commission subsequently included the Building in the Grand Central Zoning Subdistrict ("GCZS"); and

WHEREAS, the ownership of the Building was transferred to a condominium, splitting the ownership into different segments, namely the office tower portion (owned by an entity controlled by S.L. Green, which also owns the Building's unused development rights and is the Applicant), the banking hall (the "Interior Landmark") and the adjacent office space above it (all owned by the Cipriani interests, with the Interior Landmark operated as a catering and event space), and the garage portion of the Building; and

WHEREAS, the Interior Landmark was designed in the Italian Romanesque style by the distinguished architectural firm, York and Sawyer, and is a vast basilica-like banking hall (65 feet high, 80 feet wide, and 197 feet, 6 inches long), with a plaster ceiling designed in imitation of wood beams, and is decorated with a variety of marbles, sandstone, and limestone, and an intricate marble cosmati; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, the Landmark Preservation Commission ("LPC") authorized the Applicant to transfer up to 112,000 square feet of unused development rights to a receiving site in the GCZS which is also controlled by the Applicant; and

WHEREAS, at the time of the LPC authorization to the transfer of the development rights there were reported violations relating to the Interior Landmark which the Applicant agreed to take full financial responsibility for; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five's approval of the transfer of the development rights in November 2008 was conditioned upon the Applicant assuming the full financial responsibility to legalize the alterations to the Interior Landmark, and this is the application to the LPC to legalize such alterations to cure the several outstanding violations; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant will undertake the following with regard to the Interior Landmark in order to legalize the outstanding violations:

                        •           request LPC to permit two non-compliant removable door surrounds at the restrooms on the south end of the Interior Landmark, which are faux painted to match the surrounding masonry walls and used as conduits to carry electrical wiring away from the door thresholds;

                        •           request LPC to permit the non-compliant removable lighting booth at the southwest corner of the Interior Landmark which is faux finished to match the surrounding masonry walls;

                        •           reconstruct the non-compliant removable sound booth at the northeast corner of the Interior Landmark which will be faux finished to match the surrounding masonry walls, extended to meet the floor, and pulled away from the stairs and the bronze panel at the northeast corner of the sound booth; and

                        •           remove the non-compliant end caps from the altered teller cages and install new flat bronze end panels; and

WHEREAS, the specified permissions and alterations are appropriate and will legalize the outstanding violations to the Interior Landmark and will permit its continued use as a catering and event space; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application to legalize the outstanding violations to the Interior Landmark at 110 East 42^nd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining, 1 present but not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, City Center is located one block south of Carnegie Hall and is especially known as a performing home for several major dance companies as well as the Encores! series and most recently the Fall for Dance Festival, and two smaller theatres, four studios and a 12-story office tower; and

WHEREAS, City Center, with an exterior landmarked in the '70s as part of saving the building (originally constructed in 1923, known as Mecca Temple, for the Shriners when they were required to move from Carnegie Hall), a theatrical venue with a main hall of almost 3,000 seats and 2 smaller stages of approximately 300 and 150 seats;, and  

WHEREAS, the major theatrical designation of the building (although it was used occasionally for various performances in previous years) dates from its designation as City Center in 1943, and it is the 1943 details in lighting, signage, and marquee that are the main focus of the Application; and

WHEREAS, City Center is the rare major venue that is not on an avenue or major cross street, making it difficult to see on approach and therefore not well known by the general public; and 

WHEREAS, over the decades changes were made by removing signage, removing entry canopies (replaced in the mid-90s) and lighting, at the same time, many of the architectural details that are the hallmark of the building, specifically the neo-Moorish details of the façade, remain intact; and

WHEREAS, the Application is focused on correcting three main areas - visibility, signage, and lighting, the principal elements of which are:

Marquee  - combination of glass and bronze (replacing the existing separate canopied entries), similar to the recently LPC-approved marquee for Carnegie Hall, with the use of glass to permit better visibility of the ornate, elaborate facade elements, plus signage for identification of the building as New York City Center for taxi drop off and other purposes; 

Signage -  two new large vertical signs at either end of the building to provide visibility from the avenue corners, but interpreted in a more modern style than predecessor vertical signs dating back to 1923, also shown in 1950/1960 photographs; hanging signs under the marquee to replace the signs which are on the current canopies; 

Flag Poles - The proposal does away with the existing flag poles and flag pole locations in order to make the new marquee more consonant in appearance and adds tile matching the original tilework to replace the façade area vacated by the removal of the flag poles;

Mezzanine Lobby Windows (seen on the façade) - restoration and repair of 12 casement windows directly above the lobby which are in disrepair;

Theatre Entry Doors - The arched doors installed in previous renovation will be removed and replaced with traditional bronze clad doors  a closer approximation of the original in design and materials;

Lighting Plan - The facade (a Moorish tile "alfiz" with a large semicircular arch) will be illuminated with flood lights located within the Marquee and new downlights will be installed for improved sidewalk illumination; and

WHEREAS, the proposal maintains the integrity and details of the façade of City Center and is considered esthetically appropriate while correcting the efforts made piecemeal over the years to update the building without a cohesive plan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application of NY City Center, 131 West 55th Street, for Replacement of Windows and Doors and Installation of a new Marquee and other changes and modifications.

The above resolution passed  by a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining, 1 present but not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 149 5^th Avenue (with street frontage on 21^st) Street) is a 16 story retail store and loft building, built in 1918, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, and

WHEREAS, the property owner is applying for approval of modifications for the service elevator windows and doors which are visible on the facade of the building, and

WHEREAS, the center of the 21^st street elevation has a bank of three freight elevators, and,

WHEREAS, one elevator will be abandoned and two remaining freight elevators will be replaced, which will bring the building in compliance with current building safety and fire codes which were approved by the City in December 2009, and,

WHEREAS, this application includes:

 - Installation of 5/8 in. diameter bars to be placed on the exterior of all shaft way windows up to the 10^th floor (the height of a fire ladder)

- retaining one historic, raised panel, vertically sliding doors

- replacing two historic doors with modern, fire-proof flat panel steel doors replacing the existing sheet metal wood doors, and

WHEREAS, a variance to the building code requires the applicant to demonstrate "hardship," and

WHEREAS, the applicant has agreed to have the two new steel doors finished with a trompe l'oeil painting that mimics the panel design, color and texture of the one existing (remaining) historic door; therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to modify the freight elevator windows and doors at 149 5^th Avenue in accordance with the proposal presented to CB 5 with the provision that the new steel flat panel doors be finished with trompe l'oeil painting that mimics the appearance of the one remaining original door.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, the Central Park Conservancy provides a brief description of the Loeb Boathouse and its history on its Official Website:

 "Boating on the Lake has been a popular pastime from the Park's earliest days. Six rustic landings originally dotted the water's edge, and a number of shack-like buildings served as boathouses. Passengers could hire rowboats, gondolas and even multi-seat water buses for ten cents a ride. 

As interest in rowing grew, the Lake needed a proper boathouse. In 1874, Park architect Calvert Vaux designed a formal building on the eastern shoreline to provide covered space for docking and storage. With its charming Victorian touches, the building also featured a second-story terrace that afforded beautiful views of the Ramble. A popular draw for more than 80 years, the boathouse fell into disrepair by 1950 and was soon torn down. 

 
The iconic Loeb Boathouse that New Yorkers and visitors know so well today opened at the Lake's northeastern tip in 1954, financed by philanthropist Carl M. Loeb. From beneath the green patina of the boathouse's copper roof, visitors can rent rowboats and bikes; hire an authentic Venetian gondola; or dine overlooking seasonal views of the Lake at the Loeb Central Park Boathouse Restaurant.

WHEREAS, the concessionaire for the Loeb Boathouse (which includes the restaurant/bar, boat rental and bicycle rental activities), Dean J. Poll, is proposing to replace the bar pavilion, boat shed and patio/deck; the bar pavilion will be located closer to the restaurant and oriented to open up views of the lake, be ADA compliant, offer 117 square feet of new planting and four trees, and

WHEREAS, the proposed bar pavilion is designed to be open with white painted metal columns and glass paneled roof with copper cap and gutters; the bar will have wood paneling with a concrete counter top, and

WHEREAS, the existing bar pavilion and boat rental shed is not historic, dating back only 20 years before designation, nor deemed architecturally significant, and

WHEREAS, the materials are deemed appropriate and would blend with the adjacent boathouse restaurant; there is no significant design reference to other contextual structures in the park, and

WHEREAS, the existing bar pavilion is 444 sq. ft., seats 12 persons at the bar, 92 persons at outdoor tables with chairs, has 2,296 sq. ft of patio/deck; the proposed bar pavilion is 456 sq. ft., 12 sq. ft. larger, and seats 30 persons at the bar (an increase of 18 persons), 92 persons at outdoor tables with chairs (no change), and 2,455 sq. ft of patio/deck, (an increase of 159 sq. ft. patio/deck), and

WHEREAS, the proposed deck is in a bow shape, cantilevered over the water, using the existing piers and footings, approximately 7'-9" x 59', which will increase the footprint over the lake by 278 sq. ft., and it is being raised to one level omitting two steps to the water's edge, and

WHEREAS, the existing boat rental shed is 46 sq. ft. and the proposed boat rental shed is 124 sq. ft, (78 sq. ft. larger), which in addition to providing storage and a boat rental window will house services for the bar such as sink, dishwasher, icemaker and refrigerator, and the proposed shed will extend 7' x 8', increasing the footprint over the lake 56 sq. ft.; and

WHEREAS, the proposed boat rental shed will be elongated and oriented perpendicular to the Lake to maximize the vistas of the Lake; and

WHEREAS, the proposed changes:

1.        Have been the subject of renegotiations of a sole source contract, in mid-contract, for the past two years between the Concessionaire and the Parks Department and Central Parks Conservancy;
2.        Will allow the Conservancy to complete renovations along the perimeter of the Central Park Lake;
3.        Are expected to exceed a capital improvement with an estimated cost of $1.5 million, all to be paid for by the Concessionaire;
4.        Will become the property of  the City upon completion;
5.        Are expected to increase revenues for the City's General Fund since the current concession's remunerations to the Fund are already above the "base" rent and the changes to the Boathouse will increase capacity and, therefore, revenues further;
6.        Will open vistas currently blocked by obsolete, unattractive buildings which are being redesigned and/or relocated;
7.        Will allow for the Lake to be visible beneath the new cantilevered deck which will not require any pilings or new construction in the lake itself;
8.        Will only increase the seating at the bar by 18 seats;
9.        Have the full support of the Parks Department whose Commissioner signed the LPC Application for the Certificate of Appropriateness; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that, although the Community Board Five is concerned about increased footprint of the accessory building and patio/deck over the lake, which gives additional public space to the concessionaire, it considers the design an attractive improvement over what  currently exists and recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness application for the Loeb Boathouse, Central Park for the outdoor bar pavilion, accessory building and patio/deck with the understanding that the NYC Department of Parks  and Recreation will provide justification to the LPC that it is in the public interest, that the concessionaire is being given  permission by the Parks Department for 1) the increased footprint over the lake and 2) the greatly enlarged Boat Rental shed; and therefore, be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five strongly opposes any further encroachment of Public Space in Central Park (if the application is approved by LPC) for private or commercial use, even though CB 5 recognizes the Boathouse Café, which will have an enlarged deck extending over the lake, and the greatly enlarged Boat Rental shed facility as important public amenities requiring major renovations and modernization.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is completing its new East Side Access Station below the existing terminal which, when completed. will offer a total of 75 tracks and 48 platforms, providing new passenger service to the East Side of Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, a new Concourse for the LIRR Station has been constructed in mainly disused spaces, infrastructure areas and support spaces of the MTA; and

WHEREAS, The MTA and LIRR have submitted a proposal for interior construction and reconfiguration to the floor area of the lower (dining) Concourse below the West "Grand Staircase" in the area known as one of  the two "Pullman Car" dining areas; and

WHEREAS, Approximately one half of the west seating area (25 ft. X 45 ft.) of the "Pullman" dining area constructed in the 1990's will be displaced by the construction of one down and one up escalator plus a public stairway to serve as a connection to the new LIRR East Side Terminal concourse which has been constructed under Vanderbilt Ave. and Park Ave.; and 

WHEREAS, The construction of the new terminal has been an ongoing project of the MTA/LIRR since the 1960's and is meant to help ease congestion at the LIRR terminal at Penn Station and to help commuters from Long Island to reach the eastside of Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, This will serve as the only entrance directly from the new LIRR concourse into Grand Central proper. Other entrances and exits to the new LIRR concourse will be directly to street level at various locations from 44th to  48^th Streets, exact number is as yet to be determined; and

WHEREAS, The demolition of the floor area of the lower dining concourse does not involve removal of historic or significant architectural detail from the Landmarked Grand Central Terminal, and any historical material found will be preserved; and

WHEREAS, All new construction of escalator design, hand railings, flooring, etc. will match preexisting details in Grand Central Terminal; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five approves the application by the MTA/LIRR to construct a connection between the lower "Pullman" dining concourse and to the new LIRR concourse below it at Grand Central Terminal.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The applicant has applied to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of a new storefront for the eastern entrance to the building located at 17 West 17th Street; and

WHEREAS, The building is located on the north side of 17th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue in the Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The work would include replacement of the existing eastern single glass door, which is framed in aluminum and flanked by two glass panels, with a double glass door framed in aluminum, which would match the proportions of the existing double solid metal service entrance door located at the western entrance to the building; and

WHEREAS, They would replace the existing upper metal transom panel above the eastern entrance with a glass transom panel, which would match the upper glass transom panel located above the western entrance, while the existing lower rectangular glass transom panel, which currently matches the lower rectangular glass transom panel above the western entrance, would remain; and

WHEREAS, They would replace the existing rounded canvas awning above the eastern entrance with a one-inch plate clear tempered glass canopy, which would be supported by support rods utilizing the existing holes in the masonry; and

WHEREAS, They would recess the existing call box at the eastern entrance into the stone return; and

WHEREAS, They would clean and patch the existing masonry around the eastern storefront, which is currently in poor condition; and

WHEREAS, The existing storefront has been in place since at least 1980 and historic photos do not show the details of the original storefront; and

WHEREAS, Although it was felt that the glass canopy was too modern for the building in the context of the surrounding historic district and it would be preferable that either no canopy or a more historically-appropriate canopy be installed, other proposed work would be appropriate, would balance the existing western entrance and would improve the existing condition of the building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the majority of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness at 17 West 17^th Street for the installation of a double glass door framed in aluminum and a glass transom panel, the recessing of the existing call box, and the cleaning and patching of the existing masonry; however, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the installation of a glass canopy.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 19 in favor; 6 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 23 East 20^th Street is an 8-story, neo-renaissance, loft building in the Ladies Mile Historic District erected in 1899-1901; and

WHEREAS, the top two floors were added in the 1920's and not original construction, and

WHEREAS, the applicant proposes a complete and harmonious façade restoration including repairs to the fire escape and masonry façade, chimney and lintel replacement - all approved by the LPC staff ; and

WHEREAS, the cornice has deteriorated beyond repair and after a diligent search, no documentation survives to direct a historically accurate replacement, and

WHEREAS, the proposed cornice is on the two story modern addition and its design harmonious to the historic façade, Therefore be it:

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to replace the cornice at 23 East 20^th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, the Haskins & Sells Building, located at 35-37 West 39th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues), was constructed in 1912 by architect Frederick C. Zobel; and

WHEREAS, it served as the principle location for the accounting firm of Haskins & Sells; and

WHEREAS, it was touted as the first auditing firm founded by American accountants; and

WHEREAS, the building is a twelve-story Renaissance style structure with rounded arches, arcades, balustrading, a terra-cotta arcaded base ascending to a canted tower of blonde brick; and

WHEREAS, the large bays of windows feature ornate iron grilles and is topped by a terra-cotta frieze inlaid with marble; and

WHEREAS, the bays are separated by pilasters with sculpted relief and ornate capitals in inlaid marble rondels and a prominent corner balcony; and

WHEREAS, the architect, Mr. Zobel, is credited with advancing the techniques of skyscraper construction and designed more than 15 buildings in New York; and

WHEREAS, the building continues to feature many original details; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of Landmark designation for the Haskins & Sells Building at 35-37 West 39th Street, recognizing its position as an example of early 20th century neo-Renaissance style and its position in the business history of New York City.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 22 in favor; 3 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 156 5th Avenue, a 12 story office building, at the northwest corner of 20^th Street was constructed in 1894-95 in the Neo-Romanesque style by the firm of Rowe&Baker; and

WHEREAS, the ground floor is comprised of a recessed central building entrance with retail storefronts flanking the lobby on 5^th Avenue, and along 20^th Street; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant, wishes to: (a) replace non-original storefront on the southern bay on 5^th Avenue to match the storefront on the northern bay, which was previous approved by LPC C of A# 99-2132 in 1998; (b) remove existing louvers and masonry at four (4) openings and replace with new glass and stainless steel storefront to match the 1998 approved northern bay, this improvement will also provide ADA access to the retail shop where there currently is none; (c) on 20^th Street remove non-original 1985 brown aluminum storefront and restore the original historic storefront which is concealed underneath, this will be consistent with 20^th Street storefronts; and (e) a sign band will be on the horizontal storefront mullion; and

WHEREAS, the 20^th Street alteration is appropriate as a restoration of the original storefront and the alteration of the 5^th Avenue storefront is in keeping with the previous deemed appropriate storefront proportions and the new doors and windows will bring back the original use and aesthetic; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends approval for a new storefront and doors for 156 5^th Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, An application has been submitted which requests permission to restore and re-clad the dome of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, located at 325 Park Avenue, between East 50^th Street and East 51^st Street, which was designated an individual landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Construction of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church - which has been called "a jewel in a monumental setting" - started in 1916, based on the Byzantine designs of the renowned architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, and had been completed sufficiently for the church to be consecrated in 1918; and

WHEREAS, Additional construction continued over the next decade, during which time designs were altered, particularly after Goodhue unexpectedly passed away in 1924, and the site expansion was assumed by his office associates, in partnership as Mayers, Murray & Phillips, who would oversee the project through completion by 1930; and

WHEREAS, The design of St. Bartholomew's domed roof is inspired from adaptations of the Byzantine style found in Venice and was installed in 1930, as a substitute for a spire that had been planned, but never built; and

WHEREAS, The dome's construction is a composition of limestone ribs containing intricately decorative tile cladding of terra cotta, marble and granite; and

WHEREAS, St. Bartholomew's dome has been subject to eight decades of harsh freeze-thaw conditions inherent to the climate of the Northeast, as well as acid rain that at the time had been typical in New York City, and the dome's cladding continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate; and

WHEREAS, Since terra cotta, marble and granite expand and contract at dissimilar rates, this has caused tiles to come loose at the joints, become cracked, and on occasion fall off, and due to the existence of open voids in its surface, several areas of the dome have been penetrated by vegetation growth; and

WHEREAS, In surveying and documenting the existing conditions, the restoration architects have recorded and cataloged an entire panel of the dome by producing rubbings with paper and crayon, scanning them into a computer and converting them into AutoCAD drawings, which documentation proved necessary for recording the many various shapes that make up the unique design of the dome; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to remove all of the existing dome cladding and to replace this in five colors of terra cotta, manufactured in the many shapes that make up the design and shades which will match those of the existing terra cotta, marble and granite and which will exceed the compressive strength and will have a lower absorption rate than the original because of the special firing techniques used today; and

WHEREAS, Existing limestone ribs and existing granite base would be removed, salvaged, cleaned and re-installed, and existing mission style terra cotta roof tiles would be removed and replaced with exact replications; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that recreation of the Byzantine style dome cladding in the medium of terra cotta will ensure the beauty and durability for generations to come; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to restore and re-clad the dome of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 370 Park Avenue, an individual landmark designed by McKim, Mead & White completed in 1918, is located on the West side of Park Avenue between 52^nd and 53^rd Streets and has applied to the Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") for approval of façade repair and restoration; and

WHEREAS, the existing balustrade and cornice elements at the top of the building are made from terra cotta and in 1997 the staff of LPC permitted the applicant to replace several damaged cornice pieces with glass fiber reinforced concrete units ("GFRC"); and

WHEREAS, there is a poorly conceived roof drainage system incorporated into these elements that has continued to leak water over a period of years; and

WHEREAS, the existing balustrade and cornice elements are now beyond repair, in need of complete replacement, and pieces have been falling from the building; and

WHEREAS, the proposed scope of work is to remove the failed balustrade and cornice elements of the building and replace them with new units to be fabricated with molds from the original pieces using GFRC and repair the underlying steel cornice; and

WHEREAS, the choice of using GFRC fabricated with molds from the original pieces to replace the terra cotta is appropriate due to its ability to take on the same texture, color, profiles, and size of the original elements and, in addition, will withstand the test of time substantially better than the existing material; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for façade repair and restoration at 370 Park Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 28 West 56th Street, a four story row house, originally was one of five brownstones extending from 22 to 30 West 56 Street, designed by David and H. John Jardine; and

WHEREAS, The building was redesigned by the notable architectural firm Foster, Gade and Graham in 1908 for Dr. j. Clifton Edgar, a prominent physician, and several of their other buildings have become Landmarks; and

WHEREAS, This building is considered an extraordinary and rare example of Arts & Crafts architecture remaining in Manhattan and it has been cited by Andrew Dolkart, Director of the Preservation Program at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation as "... a really interesting and unusual example of Arts & Crafts Design ...  (with) ...beautiful use of patterned brick ... to create a new and progressive dynamic street front ..."; and

WHEREAS, 28 West 56th Street was listed in the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission December 1979 Midtown West Survey as a possible individual Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The West 54 - 55 Block Association proposed that Community Board Five recommend this building for LPC designation; and

WHEREAS, Although the ground floor, currently housing a Japanese restaurant, has been severely altered, the upper floors of the building remain unchanged, but on the whole this building is considered a fine example of a unique style and period; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends designation of 28 West 56th Street as an individual New York City Landmark.

The above resolution passed  by a vote of 23 in favor; 14 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, One Rockefeller Plaza, in the landmarked Rockefeller Center, has made an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to:

• Modify a storefront bay on the 49^th Street façade by installing a new door surround for the retail space currently occupied by Dean & Deluca to prepare the space for a new bakery tenant;
• Modify a window on the Rockefeller Plaza façade by installing a door, two granite steps with an ADA bronze railing, and a window in the existing window space;
• Install a louver in an existing window opening on the mezzanine level on Rockefeller Plaza;
• Install bronze letter signage for the new bakery tenant; and
• Install seasonal tables, planters, and umbrellas for an outdoor sidewalk café on the 49^th Street and Rockefeller Plaza sides of the building; and

WHEREAS, The new bronze and glass door and recessed sidelight on West 49^th Street will replace a non-historic door and sidelight (with the existing granite bulkhead and bronze storefront framing at the east side of the opening remaining), and the bronze letter signage for the new bakery tenant over the new West 49^th Street doorway and on the Rockefeller Plaza façade, will be similar to and harmonious with the existing storefronts and signage in Rockefeller Center; and

WHEREAS, The modified window bay on Rockefeller Plaza will contain a new recessed elevated bronze and glass door and a window in the existing opening, together with two granite steps due to the interior floor level (which is what historically existed prior to being modified over time) and an ADA compliant bronze railing, which mimics the existing door and window bay immediately to the south on Rockefeller Plaza (which ramps up and has no steps or railing); and

WHEREAS, The proposed louver on the building's mezzanine level on Rockefeller Plaza to be installed in an existing window opening is needed to vent the kitchen facilities for the new bakery tenant; and it is noted that there are currently other louvers on the building's mezzanine level on Rockefeller Plaza; and

WHEREAS, Outdoor seasonal cafes have become a common amenity in Rockefeller Center and the proposed outdoor seasonal café on the 49^th and Rockefeller Plaza sides of the building will be substantially similar to the existing outdoor cafes and will have approximately 27 tables with 54 chairs, 9 umbrellas, and 28 planters, all of which will be movable, and will be used by the customers of the new bakery tenant; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board recommends approval of the application of One Rockefeller Plaza to modify a storefront bay on the West 49^th Street façade and a window bay on the Rockefeller Plaza façade, the installation of a louver within an existing window opening on the building's mezzanine level on Rockefeller Plaza, the installation of bronze letter signage for the new bakery tenant, and the seasonal installation of an outdoor café consisting of movable tables, umbrellas, and planters on the 49^th and Rockefeller Plaza sides of the building. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 46 West 56th Street is a splendid example of a redesigned facade on a former brownstone row house by the notable architect Harry Allen Jacobs, who was commissioned in 1907 by the clothing merchant, Samuel Kridel, to remodel the brownstone, a common practice among the wealthy in the early 1900's; and

WHEREAS, Jacobs, trained at Columbia University and then went to the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and was awarded the Prix de Rome by the American Academy in Rome; and

WHEREAS, Jacobs became a very successful architect in New York designing several hotels in NYC including the Marseilles at 103rd and Broadway, a designated Landmark, and  a similar townhouse on the same block, 26 West 56th Street, also a Landmark; and

WHEREAS, 46 West 56th Street is a four story classically composed limestone-fronted townhouse featuring a decorative cartouche and relief panels and an imposing cornice and ballustrade at the roof; and

WHEREAS, The 1907 transformation included a centered entrance with concave surrounds at street level and a dormered mansard roof, both of which have been removed; and

WHEREAS, The ground floor currently houses a cafe, the second floor a hair salon with apartments above; and

WHEREAS, 46 West 56th Street was listed in the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission December 1979 Midtown West Survey as a possible individual Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The West 54 - 55 Block Association proposed that Community Board Five recommend this building for LPC designation; and

WHEREAS, The although ground floor has been significantly altered and the fifth floor removed, this still is a very stylish building with a great deal of character; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends designation of 46 West 56th Street as an individual New York City Landmark and recommends that the fifth floor mansard roof be eventually restored if the owner ever decides to renovate the building.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor; 6 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Plaza Hotel is a French Renaissance style "chateau" designed by the famed architect Henry J. Hardenbergh, built in 1905-07 and opened in 1907 with an addition designed by Warren and Wetmore and built in 1921; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation it is considered "the greatest hotel in the world" and is a New York City landmark (designated in 1969), and on the National Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, It is one of the most famous and historic hotels in the world, known for its architecture as well as for its history, host to historic events and woven into the fabric of New York's past; and

WHEREAS, The application presented to us would alter the original design of the entry way to The Oak Room Central Park South for no justifiable reason by:

• Removing historic fabric of the building by:
  • Sheering back the hip wall on either side of the stair, and
  • Rounding the corners of the second step of the stair, and
• Relocating the brass handrails.

WHEREAS, Members of the Board expressed concerns regarding the safety of the new configuration, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to modify the historic The Oak Room entrance way.

The above resolution passed  by a vote of 30 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 893 Broadway is located in the Ladies Mile Historic District and has applied to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for approval of storefront renovations; and

WHEREAS, The applicant failed to appear before the Landmarks Committee of Community Board Five after appropriate notification of its meeting to discuss the matter; and

WHEREAS, The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission has filed Violations against this building, three of which show as "Open"; and

WHEREAS, The NYC City Department of Buildings has issued a "Stop Work Order" which is listed on the DOB Website and is posted in the window of the building, yet renovation work appears to be ongoing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for storefront alterations at 893 Broadway.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of The New York Public Library's iconic Landmark Carrere and Hastings building at Fifth Avenue and West 42nd Street, the applicant has applied for a C of A to redesign the lighting of the building in honor of this institutional milestone in order to achieve the following:

• Increase the efficiency and aesthetic quality of the lighting design by using the most energy efficient materials they could find to meet their aesthetic sensibility.
• Create a lighting design that enhances the character of each of the building's distinctive facades, while achieving a balance between the "exterior lighting and the glow emanating from within" from interior lit rooms seen through windows, and does not require the mounting of any lights directly on the landmark building itself

 WHEREAS, The plan was carefully designed and developed in consultation with the Landmarks Preservation Commission staff using methods and materials designed to diminish the visual impact of the of the supporting hardware required to properly locate the lights and maintain aesthetic harmony with the existing contextual elements; and

WHEREAS, The applicant provided extensive graphic representations of all of the elements of the lighting design that were visually compelling and very attractive and the digital renderings of the proposed lighting scheme appeared to achieve the outcomes stated above; and

WHEREAS, The proposed lighting design adds fourteen new light fixtures; eight flush-mounted in ground uplights, two minimum profile washlights, and four 22' ft. minimum profile high tapered poles with double washlights, in addition lighting will also be added unobtrusively two the handrails and fountains; and

WHEREAS, The applicant gave assurance that the iconic stone lions at the front will have special illumination; and

WHEREAS, The building's new name carved in stone is an addition to the building placed after designation and is not historical in nature nor deemed an important architectural element, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of one component of the application, namely the spot lighting of the carved stone bearing the building's new name, and be it further

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the other aspects of the New York Public Library's lighting plan in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Landmark Carrere a Hastings building at 42nd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstaining.

 WHEREAS, 31 West 21st Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues) is an eleven story, fifty-six foot wide Beaux-Arts store and loft building built in 1907 and located within the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The building is constructed of stone, brick and metal and has a three-story stone base that retains much of its original detail, including stone piers and a frieze containing triglyphs, bezants, and Greek key molding; and

WHEREAS, The first story contained three entrances including non-period doors and topped by projecting stone lintels flanked by non-period plate glass display windows crowned by decorative metal panels; and

WHEREAS, The application is for repairs on the first story only, including correction of stucco and limestone cracks, replacement of missing or loose limestone sealer, new gutters, and aluminum fascia and glazing panels; and

WHEREAS, The application includes the replacement of non-period awnings with glass awnings including flat tops and metal decorative elements and the addition of six period light fixtures; and

WHEREAS, Research has not revealed design details pertaining to the original building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the request to undertake the items stated above while urging the owners of 31 West 21st Street to continue reclamation of the building's façade by replacing the modern doors now installed with period-appropriate doors.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The applicant has applied to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of (1) banner signage covering the 2^nd and 3^rd floor windows on both the Broadway and West 49^th Street facades, (2) a diagonally placed sign on the corner of Broadway and West 49^th Street, and (3) rooftop signage facing north and south; and

WHEREAS, The application involves the Brill Building at 1619 Broadway, an 11-story brick and terra cotta Art Deco building constructed in 1930-31 by Abraham Lefcourt, which was designated as an individual landmark in March 2010 with the support of Community Board Five; and

WHEREAS, The proposed 2^nd and 3^rd floor banner signage would be affixed within the windows recesses, framed by the limestone piers, would partially obstruct the 2^nd and 3^rd floor windows for the entire length of both the Broadway and West 49^th Street facades, and would be attached by removing a glass panel from each window, resulting in no permanent damage to the façade; and

WHEREAS, The proposed diagonal sign would float away from the 2^nd and 3^rd story façade at the corner of Broadway and 49^th Street and would involve minimal connections to the base building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed north and south facing rooftop signage would replace and extend the length of existing rooftop signage but maintain the height of the existing signs; the orientation of the north facing sign would be shifted so that the new sign would conceal a new cooling tower; existing dunnage would be utilized; and several new non-visible columns would be added behind the brick parapet; and

WHEREAS, There is historic precedent to support all of the proposed signage: historic photos indicate that signage previously existed in all of the proposed locations, and the designation report references (1)  large signs on the Broadway and West 49th Street facades and projecting at an angle over the corner claiming the Paradise nightclub as "America's foremost restaurant" with the "world's most beautiful girls", and (2) that roof-top signs contribute to the Brill Building's character and its historic role in Times Square, specifically mentioning the famous Camel cigarettes (1934) and Budweiser beer (c. 1958) multi-story billboards which enjoyed great visibility; and

WHEREAS, The building is located within the signage-saturated Times Square Bowtie, and the proposed signage is minimal when considered in the context of the surrounding buildings; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of (1) banner signage covering the 2nd and 3rd floor windows on both the Broadway and West 49th Street facades, (2) a diagonally placed sign on the corner of Broadway and West 49th Street, and (3) rooftop signage facing north and south.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 888 Broadway and 873 Broadway are buildings located in the Ladies Mile Historic District and the Landmarks Preservation Commission Designation Report specifies that the "... district also retains a variety of historic paving materials ... granite and bluestone sidewalk slabs as well as granite curbing in some areas"; and

WHEREAS, A approval is being sought by Consolidated Edison to modify the sidewalk vaults adjoining the historic properties located at 888 Broadway and 873 Broadway in order to accommodate new transformers needed to upgrade electrical service to that section of the Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has obtained consents from the building owners affected by this project to proceed with the installations which are similar to others already completed elsewhere in the City; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, Consolidated Edison, has developed a plan to install new transformers in the vaults that will have minimal impact on the historic granite sidewalks and curbstones in the affected area; and

WHEREAS, The applicant will make every effort to reuse and reinstall the historic granite paving materials, including veneer pavers on the roof hatchways, before resorting to matching the granite with tinted concrete; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to conduct an engineering study prior to commencing work to ensure the safety of the installed transformers and vault walls in case of fire or explosion to the adjacent oil tanks and mechanical equipment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to modify the vaults and install new more serviceable transformers adjacent to the locations at 888 and 873 Broadway in the Ladies' Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 2 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, University Club, 3 West 54th Street, is an individual landmarked building, designed by the eminent architectural firm, McKim, Mead and White, in the style of a grand Italian palazzo and was built in 1899; and

WHEREAS, The building has had a persistent problem with pigeons nesting in the open shaft between the main building and the annex on West 54th Street,  resulting in damage from pigeon droppings to the exterior of the building; and

WHEREAS, Previous attempts to resolve this problem have been unsuccessful; and

WHEREAS, The University Club has applied to LPC to install a bird netting system  on East 54^th Street in the open shaft to prevent further damage to the buildings from pigeons; and

WHEREAS, The netting material will be anchored by small stainless steel fixtures into the mortar, not into the limestone; and

WHEREAS, The netting is not on the main facade on Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The webbing material is thin and black, almost invisible to the naked eye, and will be recessed at the corner returns; and

WHEREAS, The netting begins at the second floor level making it even less visible from the public way; and

WHEREAS, It is expected that the netting will prevent further damage to the landmarked building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five Landmarks Committee recommends approval of the application by the University Club to install a netting system in the open shaft between the main building and the annex at 3 West 54th Street .

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining, 1 present but not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 39 West 19th Street, n/s between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, is a twelve story Neo-Renaissance store and loft building, designed by Maynicke & Granke, built in 1910, located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The street level facade storefronts were extensively renovated in 1964, with LPC approval; and

WHEREAS, The current ground floor tenant, Tiger Schulmann, a martial arts and kickboxing studio and school with some 40 locations in the NYC Metropolitan region, is converting a 400 sq. ft. area now being used as office space into a small cafe, primarily as an amenity for its patrons but also for use by the general public; and 

WHEREAS, The applicant has requested approval to alter one of the storefront bays to provide entrance doors to permit access to the café from the street since the cafe may be open at different hours from its primary business; and

WHEREAS, The proposed renovations appear to be harmonious with the design, materials and colors approved in the 1964 renovation (although historic photographs of the original building design were not presented for CB 5 for review); and

WHEREAS, The cafe is deemed to be useful amenity to the existing tenant and the community in general and will not have any exterior signage or lighting other than existing lighting on the building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed tripartite design, glass panels and framing, use of wood and steel materials, 6' double entrance doorway, mahogany and black colors appear compatible with other existing ground floor building elements; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for storefront alterations and installation of doors at 39 West 19th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, in accordance with plans and specifications presented by the Applicant.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 24 in favor; 11 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 50 Rockefeller Plaza (the Associated Press Building) in the landmarked Rockefeller Center was completed in 1938, is located in the north section of Rockefeller Plaza between 50^th and 51^st Street on the west side of the Plaza, and has over its main entrance on the Plaza (recessed by one bay between the corner wings) a two-story 10-ton stainless-steel sculpture by Isamu Noguchi of five figures representing the people who gather, edit, and distribute the news; and

WHEREAS, 50 Rockefeller Plaza has made an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission in connection with a new restaurant tenant in the building's north commercial space at Rockefeller Plaza at 51^st Street to install:

• a new nickel-silver door surround attached to the existing limestone masonry,
• free-standing steel furniture providing 80 seats, umbrellas, and plantings on the sidewalk in the front and in the corner wing of the building's north commercial space for a seasonal outdoor sidewalk café,
• a new bronze and glass service door (W - 3'0", H - 7'6") for the outdoor café on the building's north corner wing, together with a modified storefront window (W - 5'6", H - 9'5") which will replace an existing storefront window (W - 8'7". H - 9'5"), and
• pin-mounted bronze signage for the building's new commercial tenant at the retail entry and at the building's corners; and

WHEREAS, The new door surround at the north commercial space will substantially mimic the primary door surround at Anthropologie at the south end of the building, and create a balance for the entrances to the building's two main retail spaces on Rockefeller Plaza; and

WHEREAS, The proposed outdoor sidewalk café will be substantially similar to the existing Brasserie Ruhlmann outdoor café diagonally across Rockefeller Plaza at 50^th Street; and

WHEREAS, An outdoor café is a common amenity in Rockefeller Center, which has several outdoor cafes (the Brasserie Ruhlmann at 50^th Street and Rockefeller Plaza, the cafés in the skating rink, and Morells at 49^th Street between Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza), within two blocks of the proposed outdoor café at the building; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant considered several ways of providing a necessary service door for the proposed outdoor café, including installing a new door on the right side of the main façade (which could be made to match an existing brass door on the left side of the main façade), and concluded it didn't want to change the main façade of the building and that the best location would be on the building's north corner wing by modifying an existing storefront window; and

WHEREAS, The proposed pin-mounted bronze signage for the new commercial tenant will match the current signage on the Anthropologie retail space on the south end of the buildings; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new nickel-silver door surround, outdoor café, and signage are similar to and harmonious with existing door surrounds, outdoor cafes, and signage in Rockefeller Center and, in addition, the proposed new service door and modified storefront window do not change the main façade of the building and the placement in the building's north corner wing does not adversely affect the basic fabric of the building; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to install two curb cuts at the building's main entry and at the north commercial space in order to accommodate disabled persons; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application of 50 Rockefeller Plaza to install a new door surround to the north commercial space, an outdoor café, a new service door, two curb cuts and new signage for the north commercial space.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 10 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 26 West 17th Street is a 12-story 108,025 sq. ft. Beaux Arts store and commercial loft building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, designed by the architect, William C. Frohne, constructed in 1907-08; and      

WHEREAS, The owner, the Winter Organization, has applied to NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for facade and storefront renovations including:

• Removal and replacement of doors and transoms at the street level office tower entry, retail entrance in the center of the building and the freight entrance at the westerly side of the building
• Replacement of the decaying wooden "knee wall" or bulkhead with more durable painted aluminum
• Insulated glass windows and mullions throughout
• Two period-style light fixtures above the office entry doors
• No signage other than interior signage painted on glass ; and

WHEREAS, The applicant will present designs for both a single and double door entry for the recessed central retail portion of the ground floor, depending on whether the premises is leased to one or two tenants, with the understanding that the alternative entry configuration would be installed if the tenancy changes; and

WHEREAS, The applicant was unable to present historical or tax photos showing the original historical facade appearance nor samples of the original paint; and

WHEREAS, The specifications and paint samples provided to Community Board Five are deemed to be consonant with other buildings in the Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five is concerned that a more consistent design for the three entry doorways be achieved, but recognizes that the design presented is generally acceptable, if not ideal; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for facade and storefront renovations at 26 West 17th Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District in accordance with the plans and specifications presented by the building's architect to Community Board Five.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 41 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 16 East 18th Street, (between Fifth Avenue  and Broadway), located in Ladies' Mile Historic District, is a ten-story neo-Renaissance style store and loft building, constructed in 1902, designed by Buchman & Fox, architects; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied to construct a rooftop addition and raise the parapet wall in a four part project as follows: 

1.       Remove an existing non-functioning water tank that is in disrepair, with rusting metal and discolored by mold

2.       Construct a new stairway bulkhead on the roof to allow more direct access to a duplex apartment and a common area on the roof

3.       Raise the brick parapet wall on the secondary facade to a height of 48" to conceal and support four air conditioning/condenser units, using matching bricks (Note: Another section of the parapet is 57" high, so that the increased height would be lower than an existing section of the parapet wall.)

4.       Replace the metal railing along the east facade to conform with current building code standards; and

WHEREAS, Although we are concerned about the loss of water tanks, which have been a part of the NYC skyline for many decades, according to the applicant the costs of repair and maintenance of this water tank has become prohibitive and burdensome since it is non-functional and obsolete; and

WHEREAS, Mockups at the roof that are in place are minimally visible from the public way and the proposed changes would have little visual impact on the overall appearance of the building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to construct a rooftop addition and raise the parapet wall at 16 East 18th Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District, as detailed in the designs, plans and renderings presented to CB 5.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 3 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS,  The building located at 7 East 20th Street (between Fifth Avenue and Broadway) in the Ladies' Mile Historic District is a neo-Renaissance-Modern French style store and loft building, designed by William C. Frohne, constructed in 1907; and

WHEREAS, The owner of the 12th floor condominium apartment in this building has applied to LPC to replace the 21-foot arched, five sectioned window on the front facade with split aluminum and wood frame windows resembling the existing wood frame windows, which will pivot in a similar fashion at either end; and

WHEREAS, CB 5 and LPC have previously taken the position that this type of window replacement on higher floors of historic buildings is acceptable; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to replace the 12th floor arched window with split aluminum and wood windows at 7 East 20th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 390 Fifth Avenue (SW corner of West 36th Street), The Gorham Building is an individual NYC Landmark which has applied for replacement of windows; and

WHEREAS, This 1906 building was designed by McKim Mead & White for Gorham, the famous jewelers in the style of an Italian Renaissance "palace', and

WHEREAS, The owner has proposed to LPC to replace 120 wood frame windows from the 3rd to the 8th floors of this building with aluminum windows to be painted with a baked on finish to resemble the original color of the wood framed windows; and

WHEREAS, The condition of the old wood framed windows is very  poor and they cannot be repaired and maintained because the crowning building cornice extends ten feet from the building facade making the rigging of scaffolding very difficult; and

WHEREAS, The new aluminum windows will have the same appearance as the old one-over-one wood windows and the original brick molding around the windows will be preserved; and

WHEREAS, Similar aluminum framed windows have been installed in other historic buildings with LPC approval; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the replacement of the wood windows at 390 Fifth Avenue with aluminum windows to be finished to match the original paint color of the wood windows.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 26 in favor; 6 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 404 Fifth Avenue (on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 36th and 37th Streets) is an individual New York City Landmark, designed by the renowned architectural firm Warren & Wetmore in 1914 for the real estate mogul Robert W. Goelet for use as the Stewart & Company Department Store; and

WHEREAS, This stretch of Fifth Avenue became world famous for its department stores which included B. Altman and Lord & Taylor, also NYC Landmark buildings; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five unanimously recommended designation in November 2005 in its Resolution which reads in part:

"RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends that 404 Fifth Avenue, the Stewart & Company Building, be designated a New York City  landmark because of its extraordinary and historic architecture and design, and its renowned place in the history of New York City's architecture"; and

WHEREAS, The NYC Landmarks Preservation Letter issued a Warning Letter with respect to illegally installed signage installed by a tenant, Capital One Bank, which replaced previously LPC approved signage for North Fork Bank; and

WHEREAS, The applicant would prefer to legalize the existing signage (four separate signs) to save the cost of fabricating and installing new signage and has applied to LPC to legalize the signage in place; and

WHEREAS, The existing signage is deemed inappropriate in design and disharmonious with the character of this historic building by both the staff at LPC and CB 5; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to prepare a new design for the signage for Capital One Bank for presentation to CB 5 and to LPC; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to withdraw its application to legalize the signage; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the Application to legalize signage at 404 Fifth Avenue (Stewart & Company Building) installed without LPC permits.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 23-27 West 17th Street, located between 5th & 6th Avenues, is located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, This building currently has a storefront which is significantly compromised from its original design and features; and

WHEREAS, The first and second floors include mismatched doors, small vertical windows, and has louvers to cover necessary mechanical equipment behind the façade; and

WHEREAS, The building at 18 West 18th Street immediately behind the building was designed as a match for this building and can be used as a guide in restoration; and

WHEREAS, The requested changes will bring the entrance doors into harmony with the original; and

WHEREAS, Additional changes include a glass façade and, where necessary for mechanical needs, the retention of a single louver with an option to create two additional and symmetrical louvers if necessary; and

WHEREAS, The materials to be used include wood, cast iron and aluminum and will replicate and/or harmonize with the original façade; and

WHEREAS, The proposed renovation will create an attractive and historically accurate façade, including the use of an historically appropriate green color for the painted areas; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to replace and renovate the aforementioned structure at 23-27 West 17th Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Penn Club (formerly the Yale Club), located at 30-32 West 44th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues), was completed in 1901 by the architects Tracy & Swartwout (formerly employees of McKim, Mead & White); and

WHEREAS, The Club was one of the first high-rise, vertical clubhouses in New York City and is located on the south side of what was known as “clubhouse row,” including the Harvard, New York Yacht and City Clubs and the Bar Association; and

WHEREAS, The building, a Neo-Georgian brick and limestone building, is faced with mostly red brick and includes a 50 foot wide, tripartite façade that features a double height rusticated limestone base, projecting balconies, contrasting keystones and an oversized arch above the projecting cornice; and

WHEREAS, Although the Yale Club moved two blocks away to Vanderbilt Avenue in 1915, the building’s history includes ownership by the fraternal organization Delta Kappa Epsilon from 1916-1924, the Army Navy Club from 1925-1933 and has, since 1994, housed the Penn Club; and

WHEREAS, The architects are also known for their designs of the Missouri State Capital and the Yale Art Gallery; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of Landmark designation for the Penn Club (formerly the Yale Club) at 30-32 West 44th Street, recognizing its distinguished position in clubhouse row and its architectural and historical distinction from the period at the beginning of the 20th century. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 40 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Springs Mills Building, 104 West 40th Street, constructed in 1962, was designed by the prominent New York architectural firm, Harrison & Abramowitz, who collaborated on many significant mid-20th Century projects in New York, including structures at Rockefeller Center, the United Nations, Lincoln Center, Columbia University and the State Capital of New York at Albany; and

WHEREAS, The building is located on an L-shaped lot that extends from West 40th Street through to West 39th Street with an intimate plaza on the south side of West 40th Street; and 

WHEREAS, The building has a slender 22-story tower that rises from a recessed entrance and is wider at the center than at either end, and the tower's unique configuration permits natural light to reach what would have ordinarily been lot line windows; and

WHEREAS, Springs Cotton Mills was formed in 1914 when Lancaster Cotton mills, founded by Leroy Springs in South Carolina, assumed control of the Fort Mill Manufacturing company, established in 1887 by Samuel Elliott White; and

WHEREAS, The company grew from six cotton mills in the 1930's with 5,000 employees to a publicly traded company in 1966 with nineteen plants and 18,000 employees; and

WHEREAS, The company was renamed Springs Industries in 1982 and is now known as Springs Global, with brands such as Wamsutta and Springmaid, and still maintains its corporate headquarters in the same building; and

WHEREAS, This building embraces principles of European modernism with minimalist sculptural design, tapered tower and sleek green glass panels and thin aluminum mullion cladding; and

WHEREAS, It is considered one of the Garment District's most striking structures and serves as a prominent backdrop to Bryant Park; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the designation of the Springs Mills Building, 104 West 40th Street, as a New York City Landmark, based on its architectural, cultural and historic significance. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 40 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 160 Fifth Avenue (at 21st Street), Manhattan, is located in the Ladies mile Historic District, was built in 1891 and was subject to extensive alterations in 1911 - 1912 when Fifth Avenue was widened and the front stoop and stairs, leading into what was then the building's entrance, were removed; and

WHEREAS, In the 1930's the building materials at this entrance were changed to red granite and subsequently the building entrance was moved to 21st Street from Fifth Avenue, resulting in the former entrance now being part of a retail store on Fifth Avenue; and 

WHEREAS, The building owner has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the design and material at this former entrance to match the rest of the building facade, including entablature designs, restoration of piers, 18" - 20" setback of what is now an entrance to a retail store, a grill interpretation above the doors; and

WHEREAS, Only a central column shown in historical photographs at this entrance is not included in the new design because it would interfere with the configuration of the entrance doors; and

WHEREAS, The new design is a vast overall improvement of the existing condition and materials; therefore, be it 

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for alterations of former Entrance/Storefront for 160 5th Avenue (Ladies Mile Historic District).

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining; 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, The former Look Building, 488 Madison Avenue (Corner of 51st Street), between East 51st and East 52nd Streets is a 23 story asymmetrical setback tower ("Wedding cake design") of white brick and continuous ribbon windows, built by the developers Harold and Percy Uris in 1948 - 50, designed by Emery Roth and Sons, one of the firm's first and finest commissions following the founder's death in 1947; and

WHEREAS, Richard and Julien Roth, the sons of the founder, broke sharply with their father's earlier work producing an innovative structure that was notable for its striking modernity, but also influencing future aesthetic trends; and 

WHEREAS, This building displays European modernism influenced particularly by the streamlined work of German expressionist architect, Erich Mendelsohn; and 

WHEREAS, This building positioned its architects as one of New York's leading firms and during the next two decades they would reshape the city's skyline and they would build about half of Manhattan's new office buildings; and 

WHEREAS, The building, built on speculation, leased nearly all its space prior to completion, attracting as tenants the building's architects and the prominent industrial designer, Raymond Loewy, and media companies such as Esquire and Look, for which the building was named and which occupied six floors from the opening in 1950 to 1971; and

WHEREAS, The Look Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the facade is subject to a conservation easement filed with the Trust for Architectural Easements; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the designation of the former Look Building, 488 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, as a New York City Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 40 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 676 6th Avenue located between 21st & 22nd Street is a two-story, white-painted brick building in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Markt Restaurant, the tenant in the ground floor, has applied to Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to remove and replace the existing storefront; and

WHEREAS, The architect for the applicant presented plans and designs for the proposed storefront to Community Board Five which propose:

WHEREAS, The proposed windows for the new storefront would not be in line with the original historical look of the building; and

WHEREAS, The installation of the new signage would create and include a large bright red sign, and would not be keeping in character with the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The removal of the paint on the 1st floor only would create a situation where the top half of the building was painted and the bottom half was not; and

WHEREAS, The applicant did not present samples of the replacement materials or representations of the proposed new light fixtures; and

WHEREAS, The proposed replacement design is not considered historically or esthetically consonant with the building's original architecture and the other buildings in the Historic District; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends disapproval of the application for replacement of the existing storefront at 676 6th Avenue.

The above resolution passedby a vote of 34 in favor; 5 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Brill Building, 1619 Broadway, aka 207-213 West 49th Street, is an 11-story brick and terra cotta Art Deco building constructed in 1930-31 by Abraham Lefcourt, one of New York's most prolific developers in the 1920's, responsible for some 21 buildings in the Garment Center and elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, Lefcourt originally intended to build a 75-story skyscraper to rival the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in height and design, but was forced to change his plans due to the premature death of his son, along with the financial impact of the stock market crash on his fortune, forcing him to erect the more modest building we see today; and

WHEREAS, The entrance to the building is highly decorated in Art Deco style with a bust of Alan Lefcourt, who died in an automobile accident at age 17, above the front doors; and

WHEREAS, The building was then sold to the Brill Brothers, after whom the building was named, who had owned a clothing store at street level since 1910, where the Brill Building was constructed; and

WHEREAS, The new owners resorted to renting space to music publishers, as there were few other takers; and

WHEREAS, By the 1940's the Brill Building became a center of activity for the popular music industry, especially music publishing and songwriting with scores of music publishers having offices there; and

WHEREAS, Once songs had been published, the publishers sent "song pluggers" to the popular bands and radio stations of the day to sing and/or play the song for the band leaders to encourage bands to play their music; and

WHEREAS, By 1962 the Brill Building contained 165 music businesses, a musician could find a publisher and printer, cut a demo, promote the record, and cut a deal with radio promoters, all within this one building; and

WHEREAS, The creative culture of the independent music companies in the Brill Building came to define the influential "Brill Building Sound" and the style of popular music songwriting and recording that was created by its writers and producers; and

WHEREAS, The music ranged from jazz to big band and swing to rock and roll, encompassing virtually all genres of American popular music; and 

WHEREAS, Among the performers and songwriters who had offices there were the Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Burt Bacharach and Carole King; and

WHEREAS, The corner retail space once was the location of Jack Dempsey's a well known bar and restaurant, now Colony Records, and the second floor housed Hurricane Cafe, then Cafe Zanzibar, where Cab Calloway frequently performed; and

WHEREAS, The building’s creative talent won numerous Emmy's, Grammy's, Tony's and Oscars; and

WHEREAS, The owner, Stonehenge Partners, Inc. and representatives of Assembly Member Gottfried and Borough President Stringer appeared before NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission on October 27, 2009 to fully support the designation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the designation of the Brill Building, 1619 Broadway, aka 207-213 West 49th Street, Manhattan, as a NYC Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 40 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications to perform work on designated properties very seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by The City of New York Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, Abner c/o Williams Real Estate has submitted an application seeking permission to perform minor work at 39 West 19th Street, located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, At the request of Community Board Five, Skyline Windows, as representative of the owners of 39 West 19th Street attended our Tuesday September 29, 2009 Landmarks Committee meeting in order to present their proposal to remove and replace fifteen (15) existing windows located on the 12th Floor at the southern (front) façade of the building; and

WHEREAS, The existing windows are fitted in sets of three (3) within five (5) distinctive arched masonry openings at the top floor of the building; and

WHEREAS, The existing windows are manufactured with wood frames with a dark brown finish, and are square double hung style that are partially obscured at the top by the masonry arches; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has advised us that it is not known whether these existing windows date to the original construction of this building, and that these windows are in poor, irreparable condition; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes that the replacement windows shall also be square double hung style, however these will have dark brown aluminum frames; and

WHEREAS, Although the applicant has presented shop drawings that exhibit the work proposed to be performed, they have not provided any detailed photographs exhibiting the existing windows, which could have been taken from both inside their building, and from across the street; and

WHEREAS, The applicant had not been able to provide a sample of the dark brown aluminum finish proposed for the new windows frames; and

WHEREAS, The Landmarks Preservation Commission has this application listed in their agenda of items to be reviewed on Tuesday October 6, 2009; and

WHEREAS, The committee requested that the applicant prepare and provide additional information and detailed drawings to present to the committee at a later date, however, the applicant is unwilling to withdraw the application from the Commission’s calendar; and

WHEREAS, The presentation to our committee lacked the evidence of the existing conditions as well as the proposed new finish, it was not possible to make a comparison to judge the appropriateness of the proposed window replacement work; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of application by Abner c/o Williams Real Estate to perform minor work at 39 West 19th Street.

The above resolution was passed unanimously.

WHEREAS, 255 Fifth Avenue, between East 28th and East 29th Streets is located in the Madison Square North Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The storefront of the building is now a restaurant called Ben & Jack's Steakhouse and is not original to the building; and

WHEREAS, The storefront currently consists of black granite, silver and gold metal, grey stone, and glass doors; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to renovate the storefront as follows:

• Cover the existing granite with dark grey, high gloss wood
• Paint the aluminum window frames dark grey on the 1st and 2nd floors
• Replace the existing glass doors with new wood and glass doors

WHEREAS, The proposed alterations will only effect non-historic parts of the building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by 255 Fifth Avenue to replace an existing non-historic storefront as detailed in the three items set forth above.

WHEREAS, The building located at 49 West 20th Street at 6th Avenue, known as the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, is a designated individual NYC Landmark as well as a contributing property in the Ladies Mile  Historic District, built in 1846 by renowned Boston architect Richard Upjohn; and

WHEREAS. After the Church was deconsecrated it was sold to a private investor, Mansion Realty LLC,  who subsequently net leased the property to a series of nightclub operators who at various times operated clubs on the premises known as Limelight and Avalon; and

WHEREAS, The owner of 49 West 20th Street has now leased the premises to another operator who wishes to change the use of the building to a retail market and do exterior work on the building and the property in order to fulfill this business plan; and

WHEREAS, The NYC Landmark Preservation Commission has filed numerous violations against this property, some of which are more serious than others, some of which have been have apparently been corrected; and

WHEREAS, As recently as August 19, 2009 the NYC Department of Buildings issued a Stop Work Order stating "FULL STOP WORK ORDER SERVED, GUT RENOVATION NO PERMITS ISSUED," continuing a pattern of illegal activity associated with this property; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, the current operator, has indicated to CB5 that it intends to do the following work:

• Remove overgrown shrubs and extend the existing flagstone paving in the courtyard on 20th street for an outdoor seating/eating area
• Restore existing fountain to operating condition
• Remove the existing 6' tall fence around the courtyard, and replace with a hedge row of cedar trees to grow to 10' max ht.
• Remove all other low fencing around building except fence and gate at Rectory entrance on 20th street
• Install new landscaping all around building and in courtyard
• Restore alleyway between main church and Sister's House on 6th Ave. to original configuration
• Install new 20' tall flagpoles w/ banners along 20th street
• Install a new banner on the existing flagpole on the bell tower on 6th Ave.
• Install a new banner on a new flagpole on the Sister's House entry tower on 6th Ave.
• Install new free standing arched entry signs outside of the two main entrances to the church, one on 6th Ave. and one on 20th St.
• Replace existing yellowed plexiglass covering 1st Floor windows with new Lexan (non-yellowing clear acrylic)
• Replace broken clear glass on existing wood mullioned windows; clean all windows; and

WHEREAS, Several of the above changes would either 1) seriously alter the landmarked historical significance of this building, or 2) not cure LPC violations; in particular, the lack of restoration of the stained glass, the lack of restoration of the roof, the removal of the fence surrounding the building rather than its restoration, the excessive signage in the way of freestanding banners surrounding  the building, banners on the building, and two LED-lighted archways in front of the building; and

WHEREAS, Some of the proposed changes could benefit the building, and these are

• Remove overgrown shrubs and extend the existing flagstone paving in the courtyard on 20th street for an outdoor seating/eating area
• Restore existing fountain to operating condition
• Install new landscaping all around building and in courtyard
• Restore alleyway between main church and Sister's House on 6th Ave. to original configuration
• Replace broken clear glass on existing wood mullioned windows; clean all windows; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five would welcome these beneficial changes if they were done in conjunction with the other work that would restore the building to its historical landmarked condition; and

WHEREAS, Neither the owner of the property nor its current operator appeared at  the CB5 Landmarks Committee Meeting on September 1, 2009 to assure CB5 of their full future compliance with all relevant New York City and State law with respect to this building;  therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application by 49 West 20th Street, Limelight (Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion), for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior renovations.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 100-102 East 17th Street (aka 44 Union Square East), the old Tammany Hall, is a 1929 Colonial Revival style building with a red brick façade and white granite, designed to evoke the “days of early American architecture” (according to the 1928 Real Estate Record) by architects Thomson, Holmes & Converse and Charles B. Meyers; and

WHEREAS, The building also has a significant cultural history since it was the headquarters of the “infamous” Democratic political machine known as “Tammany Hall” from 1929 to 1943, and thereafter, continued to be a center of the political and arts communities, housing first the international Ladies Garment Workers Union, then and currently an Off-Broadway theater, and the New York Film Academy; and

WHEREAS, The initial attempt to designate Tammany Hall in 1984 by including it in a proposed Union Square Historic District did not succeed since the Landmarks Preservation Commission preferred piecemeal designation for Union Square, which currently has 12 individually designated buildings; and

WHEREAS, Union Square has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the Federal government; and

WHEREAS, Tammany Hall is in the 1985 Union Square Special Zoning District, which provides, among other things, that air rights from adjacent properties outside the Special District cannot be used within the Special District, and

WHEREAS, Tammany Hall was identified by the City Planning Department as a “significant building” in the Union Square Special Zoning District; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, Tammany Hall was not included in the East 17th Street/Irving Place Historic District which starts on the east side of Tammany Hall since the buildings in the Historic District consisted of 10 contiguous 19th century Renaissance Revival residential houses which were not architecturally similar to Tammany Hall; and

WHEREAS, Over many years the community support for the designation of Tammany Hall has been very strong, as has the substantial support from the area’s political leaders and various organizations such as The New York Landmarks Conservancy, The Municipal Art Society of New York, The Historic Districts Council, The Gramercy Neighborhood Associates, and The Union Square Community Coalition; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Manhattan Community Board #5 recommends that 100-102 East 17th Street (aka 44 Union Square East), the old Tammany Hall, be approved as a Designated New York City Landmark based on its distinctive architecture, historic significance, and cultural importance to the City.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 205 West 57th Street, located at the Northwest corner of 7th Avenue and 57th Street and also known as The Osborne, was built in 1883-85 by the architect James E. Ware and received landmark designation in 1991; and

WHEREAS, The request is for the interior renovation of the combined apartments 11A, 11B and 12A and the construction of a rooftop addition above this penthouse apartment; and

WHEREAS, The interior renovation is not for consideration by this Board; and

WHEREAS, The rooftop addition replaces a small structure added prior to designation that is in poor condition; and

WHEREAS, The new structure will only marginally increase the height of the current structure; and

WHEREAS, An outline of the new structure has been set up on the roof for clear evaluation and consideration; and

WHEREAS, It has been demonstrated that it is extremely difficult to see the structure from any of the surrounding streets; and

WHEREAS, A very limited view of the top line of the structure only begins to be evident from at least 3 blocks distant at 7th Avenue between 54th and 55th Streets; and

WHEREAS, The requested work is deemed to not in any way affect the public view of a landmark known as one of the grandest apartment buildings of its era; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to renovate the aforementioned structure and build the rooftop addition on 205 West 57th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 224 West 57th Street, located at the Southeast corner of Broadway and 57th Street and also known as The Argonaut, was built in 1909 as two distinct buildings for the AT Demarest and Peerless Motor Companies by Francis H. Kimball; and

WHEREAS, They were designed to complement the Broadway Tabernacle Church built by Barney & Chapman at the Northeast corner of 56th Street and Broadway, which was demolished in the 1960s; and

WHEREAS, The two buildings were bought by the General Motors Corporation and combined by J.V. Phelan in 1919; and

WHEREAS, 224 West 57th Street received landmark designation in 2000; and

WHEREAS, The portion of work that will be visible to the public is on the South elevation, facing 56th Street, and including the expansion of the westernmost windows on the fifth, seventh and eighth stories to regularize the fenestration, matching the width and height of the windows on the third, fourth and sixth stories enlarged prior to designation; and

WHEREAS, The work will also include replacing the window materials with one-over-one aluminum double-hung sash to match the existing windows on the street façades on Broadway and on 57th Street; and

WHEREAS, The apartment building on the former site of the Broadway Tabernacle blocks the majority of the South elevation, with only the most Western vertical line of windows easily visible to the public on Broadway and only a second line of windows visible from parts of West 56th Street; and

WHEREAS, This blockage has greatly affected the Southern views of the Argonaut; and

WHEREAS, The renovation in the application will have no impact on the public views of the visible facades; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to renovate the window openings and materials on the Southern elevation of 224 West 57th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The B.F. Goodrich buildings, located at 1780 Broadway and 225-227 West 57th Street, were constructed in 1909 by BF Goodrich, a leading American manufacturer of automobile tires and other rubber products, and were built for the new automobile industry; and

WHEREAS, They were designed by the noted, prolific and widely respected and significant Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw and are believed to be his only existing work in NYC; and

WHEREAS, They were built at a time when this section of midtown Manhattan was known as “Automobile Row” as its neighbors included A.T Demarest, Peerless Motor Company,  General Motors and others; and

WHEREAS, Though built with separate permits, a rendering that appeared in l909 in the NY Times shows that Goodrich conceived them as a single project – with an unrelated 4-story structure (not being considered for designation) between them -  an L-shaped plan wrapping around and behind the corner lot which apparently Goodrich could not secure; and

WHEREAS, The Broadway building, which served as the company’s headquarters, is 12-stories tall and the west 57th Street building, built as speculative offices, is 8-stories and both originally shared a large freight elevator and steam heating plant, and

WHEREAS, Constructed of red brick and limestone, the steel-frame buildings display similar and complementary tripartite facades. Noted for their distinguished designs, Shaw took his inspiration from the Chicago School and Louis Sullivan and the rare influences of the Viennese Secession are visible in decorative limestone carvings; and

WHEREAS, The Viennese Secession- consisted of a notable group of artists and architects who seceded from the Conservative Academy of Art in Vienna in 1897 to present a new style of architecture which included strong cubic walls, windows with strong horizontal focus and delightful open work metal as seen in the Goodrich buildings and incorporated some of the French Art Nouveau, into an Austrian-German Art Nouveau; and

WHEREAS, In his letter to LPC Chairman Tierney, Andrew Dolkart, Director of Historic Preservation at Columbia’s School of Architecture, said he frequently assigns his students to tour 57th Street since it is lined with “compelling structures” (Goodrich buildings among them), “with their unique designs…emphatically horizontal windows and contrasting brick and limestone, [they] display a fascinating combination of Chicago School attributes and the Beaux Arts forms popular in New York”; and

WHEREAS, Dolkart added, “though it appears to be two separate buildings, it clearly reads as a single integrated design and the L-shape angling around a corner structure is quite powerful and deserves protection in its totality…I wholeheartedly support designation in its entirety”; and

WHEREAS, According to the respected New York Landmarks Conservancy, referring to the Goodrich buildings, they were part of “Automobile Row and are examples of the historic prominence of the Automotive industry in New York City and we commend the Landmarks Preservation Commission for bringing them to a public hearing”; and

WHEREAS, Although there have been some storefront alterations at the ground floor, the buildings appear to be in a good condition with many original details still in existence. (There is netting covering the 57th Street building); therefore be it

RESOLVED,  That Community Board Five recommends designation for the BF Goodrich Buildings located at 1780 Broadway and 225-227 West 57th Street, since they are important for their distinct and distinguished architecture and for the part they played in this city’s culture, representing the important Automotive Industry which played and still pays an enormous role in this city’s history and growth.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 23 in favor; 14 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 33 West 19th Street is a six story commercial loft building located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, built in 1903 to the designs of the architect, H. Waring Howard, extending through the block to 28 West 20th Street; and

WHEREAS, The building is in a C6-4A zone and "as of right" could support a five story addition without obtaining a Special Permit if it were not within a designated Landmark District; and

WHEREAS, The owner is applying to the LPC for approval of such an addition which would increase the bulk of the building to almost double its size, claiming that the 50 foot building frontage and height of nearby buildings would justify such a large, visible vertical expansion; and

WHEREAS, The owner's Architectural Historian consultant conceded that such an approval would constitute a "heavy lift" on the part of LPC which generally discourages rooftop additions visible from the public way, even requiring rooftop mock-ups to be built to determine the visual impact; and

WHEREAS, Although the steel mesh and glass design of the proposed rooftop addition is both appealing and imposing, it nevertheless is not harmonious with the historic character of the existing masonry building and the nearby buildings in the Historic District; and

WHEREAS, As innovative as the design may be, approval by LPC would be the wrong signal for owners of other buildings in the Historic District by becoming a precedent for other possible highly visible rooftop additions; and

WHEREAS, If LPC permits similar additions to be built, the jagged, sawtooth  rooftop streetscape appearance of Ladies Mile would be changed to the detriment of the entire District; and

WHEREAS, the owner is also proposing restoration of storefront infill, based on historically appropriate designs, but this will be handled by LPC Staff and will not be the subject of a formal hearing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for 33 West 19th Street, for a rooftop addition.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The applicant has applied to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a flagpole at 230 Fifth Avenue in the Madison Square North Historic District; and 

WHEREAS, The application involves a twenty-story Beaux Arts style office building known as the Victoria Building designed by Schwartz & Gross and built in 1912-15; and

WHEREAS, While the building has street frontages on Fifth Avenue, West 27th Street and Broadway, the application concerns only the Fifth Avenue façade; and

WHEREAS, At the time of the designation of the Madison Square North Historic District in 2001, the storefronts of the building were non-historic; and

WHEREAS, While there was no flagpole on the original façade or at the time of designation, the applicant provided a photograph indicating that a flagpole displaying the United States flag was present on the building in the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, A visual inspection of the building showed filled-in pinholes in the limestone façade in the location of the former flagpole bracket and an existing flag tie below; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to reinstall a 10 foot satin brass finish outrigger flagpole (with no side arms) at a 45 degree angle in the location of the former bracket using the existing pinholes and does not intend to make any additional insertions into the facade; and

WHEREAS, The applicant intends to permanently display a 4 foot by 8 foot United States flag from a 10 foot satin brass flagpole at a 45 degree angle; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to install a discrete solar light fixture directly onto the flagpole so that no wiring or conduit will be required and the fixture will not disturb the facade; and

WHEREAS, Although there is no historic precedent for such a light fixture, the applicant has proposed the fixture in order to comply with the United States Flag Code, which states that although "it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset . . . when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness" (4 USC § 6); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a flagpole at 230 Fifth Avenue with the strict provision that only the United States flag will be flown.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 240 Central Park South, located on Central Park South, Broadway and 58th Street, was built in 1941 to include 321 apartments and consists of two separate towers connected by a one story lobby and Broadway-facing storefronts; and

WHEREAS, It is considered the first Manhattan apartment building to make extensive use of balconies; and

WHEREAS, It is considered the last example of the courtyard apartment buildings of that period of apartment construction; and

WHEREAS, 240 Central Park South was given landmark designation in 2002; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is requesting to install awnings and lighting on the Central Park South facade as well as facing the entry courtyard of the building; and

WHEREAS, The installation is being undertaken by the tenant occupying a ground floor restaurant space for a restaurant called Marea; and

WHEREAS, The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (“LPC”) advised Community Board Five that there will be a public hearing regarding the requested installation; and

WHEREAS, The tenant installed all of the elements included in its application approximately six weeks prior to presentation to Community Board Five and prior to obtaining LPC approval; and

WHEREAS, The design and color and all details of the proposed installation have not been previously been brought before Community Board Five or LPC for comment or approval and are substantially different from the design and color of the building’s main entrance canopy; and

WHEREAS, The requested work is deemed to be inappropriate (if not illegal); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install awnings in front of the restaurant space at 240 Central Park South.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The project site presently contains an undeveloped courtyard adjacent to rear of the existing
building facing West 27th Street and a 12 foot high street wall which runs along the sidewalk for
approximately 214 feet; and

WHEREAS, The proposed addition would include a 10-story glass atrium between the existing building
and the proposed addition and a triple height glass Student Life Hall facing West 28th Street which
together would bring light into both the existing building and new classrooms in the proposed addition;  and

WHEREAS, The proposed building would include new glass in-lot walking space along the sidewalk
above knitting rooms; and

WHEREAS, The proposed building will be a “green” building with innovative new solar energy features;  and

WHEREAS, The existing conditions on this block of West 28th Street are barren and unfriendly; and

WHEREAS, The proposed addition is architecturally interesting and the building would bring much
needed life and activity to this block; and

WHEREAS, The proposed waivers of setback requirements are minor in scope but allow for significant
innovation in the “green” building design and in designing a fully functional atrium; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five approves the application on behalf of FIT for a BSA Special
Permit to facilitate the development of an approximately 98,000 square foot, 10 story addition adjacent to
an existing FIT building.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 38 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining, 1 present but not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Bricka Bracka has submitted an application seeking permission to conduct a special event in the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Friday August 14, 2009 between the hours of 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The event consists of a performance artist who will be painting on canvas and on jeans, while recorded music plays in the background; and

WHEREAS, As there is a requirement for amplified sound, the applicant is expected to obtain the necessary permits; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is free of charge to all participants, and there will be no sale of merchandise or food; and

WHEREAS, Although the proposed event is scheduled for a Green Market day, the activities do not require a large amount of space, duration is brief and may offer some public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application by Bricka Bracka to conduct a special event in Union Square Park on Friday August 14, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, In February 2006, Community Board Five (CB5) passed the attached resolution regarding the redesign of the northern end of Union Square Park; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has not taken a position on the future use of the pavilion and has been awaiting a draft Request For Proposal (RFP) for use of the pavilion in order to develop and submit our recommendations to the Parks Department; and

WHEREAS, We have been continually reassured by the Parks Department that the Board will have this opportunity; and

WHEREAS, The renovation of Union Square North and full restoration of the pavilion was not and is not contingent on a concessionaire; and

WHEREAS, Many in the community continue to remain opposed to a seasonal food concession with high prices and limited access, and CB5 has encouraged the Parks Department to pursue funding from elected officials, the State and alternate sources in lieu of a seasonal café;

WHEREAS, Any concession goes through an RFP review process and in 2006, the Parks Department assured the Board an opportunity to opine on the draft RFP prior to its release, as was done in that case of the Madison Square Park Food Kiosk; and

WHEREAS, In the last two months, members of the public, elected officials and community board members have all been afforded the opportunity to discuss, ask questions and comment on the pavilion restoration – one meeting was devoted almost entirely to discussion of this subject – to assure that our position and comments have not changed; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five strongly urges the Parks Department to abide by assurances made to CB5, that the Board is given an opportunity to opine on the draft RFP prior to its release; and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five again recommends that the RFP should not be limited to restaurateurs and strongly urges the Parks Department to include in the RFP, opportunities for other organizations, such as cultural institutions, community groups, etc. to submit proposals for the pavilion; and be it further

RESOLVED, That even though this resolution and the attached February 2006 resolution are indications of CB5’s initial and present concerns regarding the RFP, we reserve the right to comment after the RFP has been released.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has proposed to reconstruct the playground located in Central Park near Fifth Avenue at 76th Street, known as the East 76th Street Playground; and

WHEREAS, The East 76th Street Playground, established in 1935 as one of the twenty-one playgrounds located in Central Park originally consisted of a fenced, paved space with free-standing equipment; and

WHEREAS, There have been previous modifications to this playground:

WHEREAS, Funding is now available to address universal design requirements and current safety standards, and to enhance the play value for contemporary users; and

WHEREAS, In order to provide a more ADA compliant playground, the site will be re-graded to provide more accessible routes throughout the playground, and existing toddler swings will be replaced with new ADA-accessible equipment; and

WHEREAS, New play equipment for toddlers will be added to at the north end of the playground, where currently there is none; and

WHEREAS, In order to address safety concerns, the applicant proposes to remove the water spray activity from its current location on the top step of the Sophie Loeb Fountain and to relocate this to a new at-grade area within the playground; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to modify the existing sandbox by removing the steps on either side and creating a seat wall flanked by ramps with handrails that mirror the elevated play area at the opposite end of the playground; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to restore steps at the fountain to their original condition, and enhance perimeter plantings, and the planting islands within the playground; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that the proposed modifications and upgrades are beneficial both to users of the East 76th Street Playground as well as to other visitors to Central Park; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five Parks Committee recommends approval of Central Park Conservancy’s application to reconstruct the East 76th Street Playground.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has proposed to reconstruct four volleyball courts which are located at the Closed Center Drive between 66th Street and 69th Street, west of the Mall; and

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy proposes to upgrade the Volleyball facilities to better integrate these into the landscape of Central Park through modification of these four courts within the same location; and

WHEREAS, The existing courts were established in their current location around 1980, and were all asphalt paved; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1990’s, to address an increased interest in the sport of Sand Volleyball and players’ expressed preference for soft surface courts, the Parks Department replaced one of the asphalt courts with a raised sand court; and

WHEREAS, The existing sand court is raised six feet above grade and has a wooden fence around it; and

WHEREAS, It is now proposed that there will be two asphalt paved courts and two sand courts; and

WHEREAS; Pavement markings on the two existing asphalt paved courts will be re-painted; and

WHEREAS, Both sand courts will be sited in a single at-grade facility, contained by a concrete curb, and will be narrowed to maintain a clear space for pedestrian circulation; and

WHEREAS, New benches will be added to the facilities, and the existing, non-historic wooden fence will be removed and replaced with a standard 4’-0” high black chain metal fence; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that the proposed modifications and upgrades are beneficial both to users of the Volleyball Courts as well as to other visitors to Central Park; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of Central Park Conservancy’s application to reconstruct the Volleyball Courts.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Concentric Communications has submitted an application seeking permission for a special event to be conducted in Union Square Park on Thursday July 16, 2009 between the hours of 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The applicant was invited, yet failed to attend Community Board Five’s Parks Committee meeting on June 29, 2009 to present their proposal for review; and

WHEREAS, Any questions that the committee might have regarding this event could not be addressed; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application by Concentric Communications to hold a special event in Union Square Park on Thursday July 16, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Larry Abel/de-signs, vb. has submitted an application on behalf of their clients Electrolux and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund seeking permission to conduct a press announcement in Father Duffy Square on Wednesday September 9, 2009, between the hours of 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, According to the Special Event Permit Application submitted to the Department of Parks, the proposed press conference would require set up to begin at 12:01 AM, and then for dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 6:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, According to material submitted by the applicant during Community Board Five’s June 29th 2009 Parks Committee Meeting, load-in would begin at 5:00 AM, breakdown would begin at 3:00 PM, and be completed by 9:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The concepts of proposed event, known as the Electrolux Text-a-Thon Launch have been described as the following:

WHEREAS, The sequence of events have been described as the following:

WHEREAS, The temporary stage infrastructure and equipment required for this proposed event seem to take-up a footprint within Father Duffy Square that would allow for either spectators or other visitors to access the TKTS bleachers and other areas surrounding the barricaded event space; and

WHEREAS, The proposed 4’-0” X 6’-0” jumbotron does not entirely obscure the statue of Father Duffy; and

WHEREAS, The intended beneficiary of this proposed event is the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, an organization whose mission is to educate women on this silent disease and to raise funds to find a method of early detection, and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that the public awareness and educational benefits provided by this proposed special event far outweigh the corporate sponsored commercial aspects; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by Larry Abel/de-signs, vb. to conduct the Electrolux Text-a-Thon Launch in support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in Father Duffy Square on Wednesday September 9, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Larry Abel/de-signs, vb. has submitted an application on behalf of their client Hidden Valley Ranch to conduct a series of promotional events in Father Duffy Square, on Friday & Saturday October 9 & 10, 2009 and on Friday & Saturday October 16 & 17, 2009, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, According to the Special Event Permit Applications submitted to the Department of Parks, the proposed promotional events would require set up to begin at two days before, and then for dismantling and clean-up to be completed by one day after, therefore requiring the usage of park space for four days per each event; and

WHEREAS, The concepts of proposed event series known as Hidden Valley Ranch “Veggie World” have been described as the following:

WHEREAS, Guests of “Veggie World” will be queued outside the set-up of tents and invited on a self-directed interactive tour lasting approximately 5 – 8 minutes; and

WHEREAS, It has been predicted that “Veggie World” will receive approximately 7,500 guests each day; and

WHEREAS, For this proposed event series, Father Duffy Square, which is a small park space intended for public respite and recreation, would be thoroughly covered by the assortment of tents, line-up areas, equipment and other temporary infrastructure, for approximately eight days in duration; and

WHEREAS, Although this has been presented as an event geared toward educating mothers and children on a healthy lifestyle and diet, it is quite transparent that the true mission is to sell salad dressing; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has repeatedly resolved to deny access to its parks for “special events” which require excessive amounts of park space; which are lengthy in duration; and which are blatantly commercial in nature, providing questionable public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application by Larry Abel/de-signs, vb. to conduct the Hidden Valley Ranch “Veggie World” promotional events in Father Duffy Square on Friday & Saturday October 9 & 10, 2009 and on Friday & Saturday October 16 & 17, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Foster’s T&B Network has submitted an application seeking permission to conduct a Karaoke Competition in the North Plaza of Union Square Park on Sunday August 2, 2009 between the hours of 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, As the required apparatus for the proposed event are composed of microphones and monitors, set-up and dismantling will require very minimal amounts of time; and

WHEREAS, Participants will sing into a cordless microphone which transmits to a computer monitor, and be rated by a panel of offsite judges to compete for prizes; and

WHEREAS, Music shall not exceed 900 decibels and sound would not transmit more than 50 feet; and

WHEREAS, As there is a requirement for amplified sound, the applicant is expected to obtain the necessary permits; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is free of charge to all participants, and there will be no sale of merchandise or food; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is one which does not require a large amount of space, does not have a commercial intent, and may offer the public benefit of entertainment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application by Foster’s T&B Network to conduct a Karaoke Competition in Union Square Park on Sunday August 2, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The New York City Parks Public Art Program, in conjunction with the Paul Kasmin Gallery proposes to install a collection of six large scale sculptures by the renowned French sculptors Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne on the Park Avenue malls between East 52nd and East 57th Streets from September 13 through November 20, 2009; and

WHEREAS, The proposed sculpture exhibition will include Pomme de New York, a giant golden apple by Claude Lalanne;  Moutons, a life-size flock of sheep and lambs crafted from epoxy and bronze; and Singe Avisé (Très Grand), the late François-Xavier Lalanne’s last sculpture; and

WHEREAS, The City of New York Parks & Recreation Department will require that the gallery pay for installation and removal costs, including any needed repair of the malls; and

WHEREAS, The installation and removal of the sculpture will abide by Department of Transportation regulations; and

WHEREAS, Quality public sculpture is a welcome addition to the City's cultural landscape; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for the exhibit of Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne sculpture collection on the Park Avenue Malls from 9/13-11/20, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Papaya International has submitted an application seeking permission to conduct a reggae performance in the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Saturday August 15, 2009 between the hours of 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, 2009 will mark the fifth year of this cultural event in Union Square Park, and Community Board 5 is not aware of any previous complaints related to this event; and

WHEREAS, The event will feature performances by eight to ten musical artists; and

WHEREAS, Amplified sound will be used during four hours of the event; and

WHEREAS, The applicant represented that this event will be free to the public and is expected to have an audience of 50-100 people; and

WHEREAS, Although the application stated that the applicant intended to request a vendor's permit to sell food and merchandise, upon hearing the Parks Committee's concerns over commercial use of the parks, the applicant agreed that nothing would be sold at the event; and

WHEREAS, Although the event is scheduled for a Green Market day, the event will occupy only a small footprint of the South Plaza, away from the Green Market; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by Papaya International to hold a reggae performance in Union Square Park on Sunday, August 15, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, September Concert Foundation submitted an application seeking permission for a day of musical performances to be conducted on the front steps of the New York Public Library and the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Friday, September 11, 2009 between the hours of 12:00 PM and 5:45 PM; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, the applicant had conducted previous music performances in both of these areas; and

WHEREAS, The events are proposed to be conducted between 1:30 PM and 5:45 PM at the New York Public Library and between 12:00 PM and 5:45 PM in Union Square Park, with set-up to begin at 10:00 AM and clean up to be over at 7:30 PM; and

WHEREAS, There is a requirement for amplified sound, for which the applicant is expected to obtain the necessary permits; and

WHEREAS, The event is free of charge to all participants, and there will be no sale of merchandise or food: and

WHEREAS, There will be a tent at each location with information about September Concert Foundation and a schedule of events; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is one which does not require a large amount of space, does not have a commercial intent, and may offer some public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application by September Concert Foundation to conduct their musical performances in Bryant Park and Union Square Park on Friday, September 11, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, Inc. has submitted an application to conduct a special event known as “Tibet Festival: 50 Years in Exile” in Bryant Park on Saturday & Sunday September 19 & 20, 2009, between the hours of 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; and

WHEREAS, The proposed activities of the festival are to include:

- Tibetan cultural performances & presentations;

- Exhibition of native Tibetan costumes;

- Discussions regarding Tibetan history, political affairs, culture and traditions;

- Screening of Tibetan movies; and

WHEREAS, The proposed activities of the festival are also to include:

- Tibetan Bazaar offering the opportunity for visitors to purchase a variety of native handicrafts, books and souvenirs;

- Tibetan Food Show offering the opportunity for visitors to purchase a variety of native delicacies and traditional foods; and

WHEREAS, Vendors of merchandise and food would be charged participation fees; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has provided the attached site plan detailing the footprint of the proposed event, which indicates that this will monopolize the park space from the terrace at the east end through the fountain at the west end; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant did not know the fee required to rent the park space and suggested vendor sales would be needed to cover the expense; and

WHEREAS, This event requires an excessive amount of this park’s space for an inordinately lengthy duration of time, leaving very little space remaining for respite and other recreation; and

WHEREAS, This event has excessive commercial nature, making usage of the park space as more of a marketplace than as a site for a cultural or artistic exhibition; therefore, be it   

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application by The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, Inc. to conduct a special event in Bryant Park on Saturday & Sunday September 19 & 20, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 22 in favor; 13 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Vector Media has submitted an application seeking permission for a special event to be conducted in Bryant Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 11, 12 & 13, 2009 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The applicant was invited, yet failed to attend Community Board Five’s Parks Committee meeting on June 29, 2009 to present their proposal for review; and

WHEREAS, Any questions that the committee might have regarding this event could not be addressed; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application by Vector Media to hold a special event in Bryant Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 11, 12 & 13, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Madison Square Park Conservancy has submitted an application seeking permission to conduct a special event on Thursday July 16, 2009, between 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM which would require set-up to begin on Wednesday July 15 at 9:00 PM to continue overnight and requiring dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 12:00 AM on Friday July 17, 2009; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is being created by LeadDog Marketing in association with J. Walter Thompson Agency on behalf of HSBC; and

WHEREAS, HSBC proposes to conduct a multi-purpose event/survey/commercial shoot on Thursday July 16, 2009, in the southern end of Madison Square Park which will consist of:

- Media spots on morning television shows beginning at 4:30 AM

- A private commercial shoot to be conducted in Madison Square Park from 6:00 AM until 9:30 AM

- Interactive public activities to be conducted from 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM. These will include a “public soapbox” where participants are videoed speaking about an assortment of “values”; completing a survey for a chance to win one of several give-away; a t-shirt making station and the opportunity to participate in painting a mural with a local artist; and

WHEREAS, Although corporate signage is minimal, there is no actual sale of merchandise, and some of the activities have participatory components, this event still has an excessive commercial nature with dubious public benefit; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Madison Square Park Conservancy has submitted an application seeking permission to conduct a Fall Market Festival in Worth Triangle and in portions of the Broadway Greenway located between East 23rd Street and East 25th Streets, to be in daily operation from Saturday October 10 through Saturday October 31, 2009, between the hours of 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event will include an assortment of free events such as live music performances, pumpkin picking and other entertainment to attract the widest possible audience; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event also will offer the sale of prepared foods from area restaurants, fresh seasonal vegetables, apple cider and baked goods, and also apparel, accessories and home products; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Fall Market Festival is modeled on and is promoted by Urban Space Management, promoters of such high quality retail events that include the Union Square Holiday Market; and

WHEREAS, 2009 will be the first year of this proposed event, and there is intention that this should be repeated annually, from approximately Columbus Day Weekend through Halloween Weekend; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Fall Market Festival is an event which has some participatory aspects, and may provide some public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of Madison Square Park Conservancy’s application to conduct their Fall Market Festival from Saturday October 10 through Saturday October 31, 2009; and further, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five requests an opportunity to review the application before the permit to conduct this event is renewed by the Parks Department Special Permit Office.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 26 in favor; 8 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") advised Community Board Five on May 22, 2009 that there will be a public hearing on June 23, 2009 regarding the proposed designation of the Sire Building, 211 West 58 Street, as an individual Landmark; and

WHEREAS, This property has been selected for consideration by LPC as a result of a survey of properties under consideration for possible designation and happens to be immediately next to two other properties already designated as Landmarks; and

WHEREAS, This is a five-story "flats"  building, constructed in 1884-1885, containing 10 apartment units and a retail store at ground level, designed by William Graul for the owner, Benjamin Sire; and

WHEREAS, William Graul maintained an architectural practice in New York City from 1868 to 1903 and designed many apartment buildings, row houses and store and loft buildings in the City; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Sire was a wealthy real estate dealer and the owner of several theaters; and

WHEREAS, The building was designed in the high Victorian style with neo-Grec details, constructed of red brick with stone trim and details and has the original owner's name "SIRE" in the stone beneath the Gothic arch-headed stone lintel at the parapet wall, above the center bay of paired windows; and

WHEREAS, The retail store infill at the ground floor has been replaced with granite veneer, but the entrance to the apartments in the western bay still has its historic ornately carved wood and glass double doors with lion heads and beveled glass; and

WHEREAS, The store has had a variety of tenants including a Studebaker car  dealer in the 1910's, a pet shop in the 1930's, the Museum of the American Piano in the 1980's and 1990's, and is now occupied by Klavierhaus, a retailer of custom pianos and is situated on a block that has other retail piano stores; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval of the designation as an individual landmark of The Sire Building, 211 West 58 Street, between 7th Avenue and Broadway.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 3 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Paramount Hotel, located at 235-245 West 46th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue), was built in 1927-28, during a period of tremendous expansion of the Broadway theaters and the activity of the Times Square theater district; and

WHEREAS, The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") advised Community Board Five on May 22, 2009 that there will be a public hearing on June 23, 2009 regarding the proposed designation of The Paramount Hotel, located at 235-245 West 46th Street as an individual Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The  hotel was designed by the renowned theater architect, Thomas Lamb, originally from Scotland but trained in New York, who became one of this country’s most prolific theater designers, and whose work included movie theaters, including the Capitol Theater, Keith’s Theater, and theaters for Loews and Fox; and

WHEREAS, The Paramount Hotel was Lamb’s only hotel design, built to address the specific needs of visitors to Times Square and was one of his rare non-theater projects which originally included its own theater, the Century; and

WHEREAS, The design was built to reflect the street-theater nature of its setting, and includes fanciful ornamentation on the lower and upper stories, a double-height arcade faced with marble, elaborate terra cotta ornamentation on the third story, and many significant details that allow it to stand out on its narrow street, leading up to a deep, copper mansard roof with richly ornamented dormers with broken pediments, volutes and cartouches of terra cotta; and

WHEREAS, Its exuberant Renaissance Revival style complements the dramatic atmosphere of the theater district; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of Landmark designation for the Paramount Hotel, recognizing its distinguished position in the Times Square area with its outstanding  details which allow it to be enjoyed by those viewing it at a distance as well as those at street level, and its unique position as the only example of hotel design by the architect.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The building located at 881 Seventh Avenue between West 56th and West 57th Streets, known as Carnegie Hall, is a renowned Italian Renaissance Revival style concert hall and studio space, designed by the architect William B. Tuthill with consultation of Henry J. Hardenbergh, Richard Morris Hunt and Dankmar Adler, constructed in three phases between 1889 and 1897; and

WHEREAS, Carnegie Hall, a world famous mecca for music, was designated June 20, 1967 by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an individual Landmark, and was designated as a National Historic Landmark, November 6, 1964, among the earliest New York City institutions to receive such recognition; and

WHEREAS, Carnegie Hall has embarked on a major interior and exterior renovation program to continue to fulfill its dual missions in the Performing Arts and Education, at a cost of some $200 million, part of which will be funded by New York State and New York City, the remainder from private sources; and

WHEREAS, The Landmarks Committee of Community Board Five has been provided with detailed architectural descriptions, plans, renderings and historical photographs at two meetings with the applicant, one of which was on site on May 28, 2009; and 

WHEREAS, Only the exterior renovations, detailed in the attached Exhibit A, Scope of Work, were addressed since only the exterior of the building has received Landmark Designation (although some Committee members expressed their opinion that the interior was worthy of consideration for designation in the future); and

WHEREAS, Great efforts have been made to respect the intentions and designs of the  original architects and to make many of the changes as "transparent" and unobtrusive as possible by using clear glass for the new marquees, for example, as well as glass for the new elevator between the north and south towers; and

WHEREAS, The Scope of Work falls into five principal categories:

WHEREAS, Renderings, mockups and photographs have been provided to CB 5 to demonstrate that the rooftop changes and additions are only minimally visible from the public way, even as distant as two blocks away at Central Park South; and

WHEREAS, Carnegie Hall serves 115,000 people annually in its educational programs, including large numbers of schoolchildren, who will benefit from many of the proposed improvements; and

WHEREAS, The interior improvements, including backstage areas and new performance studios, which are not part of this application, but are included as part of the overall renovation plan, will enhance the institution as a world class performing arts center; and

WHEREAS, In proposing this plan, the applicant and its professional consultants have demonstrated a high degree of respect for the Landmark's architectural design, historical importance and cultural heritage; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Avenue between West 56th and West 57th Streets, for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior renovations in accordance with the plans and scope of work presented to Community Board Five.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 33 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 30 West 21st Street contains an empty lot located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, with street frontage of 16 feet; and

WHEREAS, The owner of the empty lot also owns the adjacent commercial loft building, which has the same address and is in the same tax lot as the empty lot; and

WHEREAS, The existing building has a fire stair at the rear which has egress to the empty lot; and

WHEREAS, The owner of the entire parcel appeared before  CB5 and the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") and obtained approval September 11, 2007 for a development plan for a new building at the empty lot; and

WHEREAS, On September 11, 2007, the LPC found "that the existing fire stair and roll-down gate are not significant architectural features of the building, and therefore their demolition will not diminish the special architectural and historic character of the building and the Ladies Mile Historic District; that the construction of a new building on this largely vacant lot will create continuity in the street wall, and therefore contribute to the streetscape"; and

WHEREAS, After obtaining this approval, the roll-down gate was demolished in preparation for the new building's construction, however due to the current economic climate that development will not occur in the foreseeable future; and

WHEREAS, The owner would now like to secure the empty lot with an iron fence to prevent access to the empty lot for security purposes since the fire stair is exposed to intruders who could access the existing building if the lot is left open to the street; and

WHEREAS, The proposed iron gate has a relatively simple design since the LPC Staff, reportedly, could not discover any other comparable sites in the Historic District where gates have been installed, according to the applicant; and 

WHEREAS, The owner also desires to place a small air conditioning unit at the rear of the lot which would be concealed by a wooden fence and shrubbery; and

WHEREAS, This unit would eventually be totally out of view from a public passageway when a new building would be built on the empty lot; and

WHEREAS, The applicant intends to pave the empty lot with precast concrete, install planters and landscaping to improve the appearance of the empty lot; and

WHEREAS, The applicant intends to retain the existing parking lot curb cut should a future owner desire to have a townhouse with a garage; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to install a 16 foot wide iron gate at the front of the empty lot at 30 West 21st Street and to place an air conditioning unit at the rear of the empty lot to be concealed by a wooden fence and landscaping, along with paving and placing planters and landscaping in the empty lot

The above resolution passed by a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, St. Bartholomew’s Church, built in 1919, designed by eminent architect, Bertram G. Goodhue, incorporating the 1902 McKim, Mead & White entrance portal of the previous St. Bartholomew’s Church on Madison Avenue, is a prominent New York City Landmark which was designated in 1967; and

WHEREAS, This Romanesque Church provides a harmonious setting for the Stanford White portal and gives Park Avenue, between East 50th and 51st Streets an oasis of open space, color, variety of form and detail, including a large, open 4,200 square foot Terrace, which is used as a restaurant with tables and chairs in warm weather and contains various planters all year round; and

WHEREAS, The Terrace is in need of extensive resurfacing which will require the removal of the existing terracotta tiles and the waterproofing membrane; and

WHEREAS, The Terrace’s limestone parapet walls on Park Avenue and on 50th Street will be reconstructed using, for the most part, the existing limestone blocks together with replacement blocks, if needed; and

WHEREAS, The bluestone steps leading up from Park Avenue to the Terrace will be removed and replaced using reconditioned bluestones from the existing steps; and

WHEREAS, The restoration of the Terrace, the parapet walls, and the bluestone steps will include the following:

WHEREAS, The proposed restoration work of the Terrace will install a pavement system including waterproofing, using material that harmonizes with the existing Terrace and draws upon the original design for the design of the Terrace pavement layout; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has advised that it  is considering, if cost permits, the use of granite blocks instead of pressed concrete pavers to replace the Terrace’s terracotta tiles, which the Community Board strongly objects to because of the differences in the granite’s size and color from the existing terracotta; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application of St. Bartholomew’s Church, 109 East 50th Street, to resurface the Terrace with pressed concrete pavers, repair the Terrace’s parapet walls and the Park Avenue approach and bluestone steps to the Terrace, and replace the seven non-usable clerestory windows located below grade or behind stone grilles in the parapet walls.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 9 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 236 West 45th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, is a six story masonry structure designed by the architect Herbert J. Krapp and was constructed in 1917-18 as a legitimate Broadway playhouse, for theater owners Lee & Jacob J. Shubert; and

WHEREAS, The playhouse, originally named the Plymouth Theatre, was designated in 1987 as an individual Landmark by NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, the theater was renamed to honor Gerald Schoenfeld, former chairman of The Shubert Organization; and

WHEREAS, The Shubert Organization has submitted an application to NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to remove and replace twenty existing windows that have become deteriorated, damaged and inoperable, windows that are located on the north/front leading into dressing rooms and bathrooms from the fire escape; and

WHEREAS, Although the existing windows are “grandfathered” by 1916 building or fire codes, there is some skepticism that even these may not be in accordance with those standards; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has proposed to install new steel framed windows which would be custom manufactured with the same appearance as the existing windows, and which would fit into the existing masonry window openings; and

WHEREAS, At the suggestion of the NYC Fire Department, the ne w windows would be casement style, which would flip open toward the inside of the building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new windows will feature safety features in compliance with the NYC Building Code such as the adequate number of hours of fire stop and automatic closure to contain smoke and fire; and 

WHEREAS, The proposed window replacements are the first part of a program to rehabilitate the historic façade, any changes are solely for safety purposes, and the applicant has put forth the effort so that this change “will be done in a way so as not to alter the appearance and character of the façade”; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for permission to remove and replace windows at 236 West 45th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 40 West 22nd Street, located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, is a 1909 Neo-Renaissance twelve-story store and loft building characteristic of the later development phase of the District; and

WHEREAS, The upper floors of the building are now a residential loft co-op, which owns the retail portion of the building; and

WHEREAS, The co-op has applied to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to renovate the residential entrance as follows:

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to increase the height of the store entrance doorway to match the height of the upper floor entrance when a lease with a new tenant is signed; and

WHEREAS, Although the asymmetrical widths of the two entry doors are not ideal from an esthetic or historically appropriate point of view, they are considered appropriate from an ADA compliance standpoint; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by 40 West 22nd Street to replace an existing non-historic (1960's) co-op entrance as detailed in the four items set forth above.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 7 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Cole Haan, a  tenant at 141 Fifth Avenue has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to renovate the storefront at this building in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The proposed renovation for a Cole Haan shoe store is tasteful, uses appropriate materials and is consistent with nearby neighboring stores and buildings; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has withdrawn a proposed modification to the display vitrine that was deemed inappropriate; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That, with the exception of the display vitrine bolted through the storefront window glass, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for new storefront renovation at 141 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 682 6th Avenue is an eight-story Neo-Renaissance store and loft building in the Ladies Mile Historic District, known as the Hall Building, dating from 1897; and

WHEREAS, The new retail tenant, Game Stop, has applied to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to renovate and replace the non-original aluminum and glass storefront with a new storefront resembling the Chipotle  Restaurant storefront next door; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed not to install the gooseneck-style lighting fixtures that Chipotle has, but will consult with the staff at Landmarks before any lighting is installed; and

WHEREAS, The design, materials, signage and finishes proposed by the applicant are deemed an improvement over the existing condition and harmonious with the other storefronts in the District, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by Game Stop to create a storefront infill at 682 6th Avenue in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 1141 Broadway located on the northwest corner of Broadway and 26th Street, is a nine-story loft/office building in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner filed a Building Permit in February 2009 for the general renovation of the existing building and conversion of the building use group to hotel; and

WHEREAS, Mark Gribler, the owner, has applied to Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to replace the existing storefront; renovate the penthouse and roof; and

WHEREAS, The architect for the applicant presented plans and designs for the proposed storefront to Community Board Five which propose:

WHEREAS, The installation of the new storefront would include doors and ground floor transom windows as well as faux terra cotta tile columns, which relate to the architecture in the upper floors; and

WHEREAS, The renovation and extension of the penthouse and roof would include replacing the windows and re-cladding the façade with either faux terra cotta tiles or brick and removing the water tower; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five usually prefers that water towers be repaired and not removed due to their significance to the Historic District but given the existing condition of the tower and fact that the applicant discussed the removal with Landmarks staff, the committee conceded to its removal; and

WHEREAS, The Landlord also plans to add a marquee to the entrance of the hotel and agreed to file this under a new application once the design and hotel name were selected and come back before Community Board Five for review and comment; and

WHEREAS, The proposed replacement design is an upgrade of the existing condition of the building's storefront, penthouse and roof in its functional elements and design and is considered historically or esthetically consonant with the building's original architecture and the other buildings in the Historic District, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for replacement of the existing storefront and renovation of the roof and penthouse at 1141 Broadway.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 1 East 29th Street, Church of the Transfiguration a/k/a "The Little Church Around the Corner" is an individual NYC Landmark; and

WHEREAS, As a result of the construction of a large residential tower building directly to the south of the church, the churchyard has lost considerable sunlight and is in need of redesign and replanting; and 

WHEREAS, In order to restore the churchyard and maintain the garden, the church is requesting changes in the design and appearance of the churchyard, including:

WHEREAS, The modifications will help the church maintain the churchyard (which is open to the public like a park) at a relatively low cost and will assist the church in fulfilling its mission in other ways, and

WHEREAS, Most of these changes, with the exception of the paved area, are considered relatively minor and none will change the essential character of the Landmark, therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for reconstruction of the churchyard at 1 East 29th Street, Church of the Transfiguration.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 41 East 20th Street located between Broadway and Park Avenue South is a three-story store and loft building in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Mari Vanna, the tenant for the ground floor restaurant, has applied to Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to remove and replace the existing storefront; and

WHEREAS, The architect for the applicant presented plans and designs for the proposed storefront to Community Board Five which propose:

WHEREAS, The installation of the new storefront would include doors and ground floor transom windows, which relate to the architecture in the upper two floors; and

WHEREAS, The installation of the new awning with a skirt would be appropriate to this building, since it would be in alignment with an adjacent existing awning over the building entrance, and would be keeping in character with the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Paint samples were exhibited to Community Board Five for evaluation; and

WHEREAS, The proposed replacement design is an upgrade of the existing condition of the building's storefront in its functional elements and design and is considered historically or esthetically consonant with the building's original architecture and the other buildings in the Historic District, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for replacement of the existing storefront at 41 East 20th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 26 in favor; 3 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 210 Fifth Avenue, is located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, and has applied to LPC for approval of an alteration to a rooftop elevator machine bulkhead; and

WHEREAS, The new bulkhead will be larger than the existing bulkhead to house more efficient elevator machinery and will be somewhat more visible from the public way; and

WHEREAS, Such approvals for mechanical equipment purposes do not usually require an LPC hearing and can be approved by LPC staff so that Community Board Approval is not normally requested; and

WHEREAS, The proposed cladding material, zinc, may be the reason that CB 5 was asked to review the application; and 

WHEREAS, The visual impact of the new bulkhead is not considered significant; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for 210 Fifth Avenue for alterations to the existing elevator machine room bulkhead.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, St. Bartholomew's Church, built in 1919, designed by eminent architect, Bertram G. Goodhue, incorporating the 1902 McKim, Mead & White entrance portal of the previous St. Bartholomew's Church on Madison Avenue, is a prominent New York City Landmark; and

WHEREAS, This Romanesque Church provides a harmonious setting for the Stanford White portal and gives Park Avenue, between East 50th and 51st Streets an oasis of open space, color, variety of form and detail; and

WHEREAS, Around its large, open terrace at the East 50th Street corner are arrayed picturesque polychromed forms that rise to the ample dome of the Church; and

WHEREAS, In 1983 the Church began an effort to obtain permission from LPC to demolish the Community House and terrace in order to build a high rise office tower on the site; and

WHEREAS, Community Board 5 spearheaded the opposition to this proposal which was ultimately denied by the U.S. Supreme Court, after two failed attempts to convince the LPC of a "financial hardship" justification; and

WHEREAS, This 4,200 square foot terrace is now used as a restaurant with tables and chairs in warm weather and contains planters all year round; and

WHEREAS, The terrace contains an open, unenclosed stairwell, part of the original Goodhue design, that leads one flight down to a metal door with a panic bar that permits emergency egress to East 50th Street; and

WHEREAS, There is access to the Community House/gymnasium one floor below the street level, from a stair landing in the stairwell at street level, also used primarily for emergency egress; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the open stairwell at the terrace is covered by an unsightly makeshift tarpaulin, affording limited protection from the elements and no security from trespassers when the terrace is not in use; and

WHEREAS, There is reportedly water seepage as a result of an inadequate enclosure, potentially allowing structural damage to the Church to occur; and

 WHEREAS, Community Board 5 cannot be certain that structural damage would eventually occur or that a terrorist threat is serious, it is reasonable to assume that the Church would not be undertaking the expense this project if it did not believe so; and

WHEREAS, The Church has proposed a solution to both the problems of exposure to the elements and protecting the stairwell from intruders, using a tempered glass and metal retractable enclosure which is minimally invasive and only slightly noticeable from the public thoroughfare  or the terrace itself, especially when planters and outdoor furniture are in place on the terrace; and

WHEREAS, The proposed enclosure could be locked when the terrace is not in use and retracted and left open when egress is necessary; and

WHEREAS, Although the materials to be used and the appearance are not original to the design of the edifice in any way, Community Board 5 finds this a practical and acceptable solution to the contemporary problems facing the Church; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends that LPC approves the application of St. Bartholomew's Church, 109 East 50th Street (corner of Park Avenue), to install a stair enclosure at the terrace stairwell.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 18 in favor; 8 opposed; 1 abstaining; 1 present not entitled.

WHEREAS, 11 East 51 Street, the John Peirce Residence, built in 1904-6, is a Beaux-Arts five story limestone townhouse, designed by the noted architect, John Duncan who also designed many other significant townhouses in New York City, as well as Grant's Tomb and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, This remarkably intact example of the exuberant townhouses that once lined the streets along Fifth Avenue south of Central Park, and its two neighboring townhouses form an enclave directly across the street from St. Patrick's Cathedral and are the only three remaining townhouses on the block; and

WHEREAS, John Peirce, the so-called "Granite King," was one of the largest and best known cut stone contractors in the country and completed the stone contracts for notable New York City buildings such as the United States Customs House and the Surrogates Court Building, both designated landmark buildings; and

WHEREAS, Peirce obviously took pride in the crafting of his own residence which is faced entirely with cut and intricately carved limestone; and 

WHEREAS, The three lower floors are completely rusticated and are ornamented with an iron balcony and cartouches and the smooth-stone upper floors have arched rounded windows and two carved wreaths; and

WHEREAS, Peirce lived in this home for less than ten years after which it home for the Gardner School for Girls from 1 916 to 1933, and now it is owned by Banco Mercantil de Venezuela; and

WHEREAS, Extensive development in the area has led to the demolition of most of the lavish townhouses that once lined the side streets off Fifth Avenue which were replaced by massive high rise buildings; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends that 11 East 51 Street, the John Peirce Residence, be approved as a Designated New York City Landmark based on its distinctive architecture, historical significance and cultural importance to the City.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 901 Broadway (at southwest corner of East 20 Street) is the former Lord and Taylor Department Store Building and is both an individual Landmark building and part of the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, 901 Broadway is a distinguished example of a French Second Empire style commercial palaces built for one of the most prestigious mercantile firms in the City, and

WHEREAS, Following Lord and Taylor's move uptown, 901 Broadway was separated from the adjacent two properties which became separate tax lots, and

WHEREAS, The current owner of main portion of the original property, Thor Equities, is proposing a redesigned building entrance on East 20 Street at the westerly end of the property,  approximately 100 feet from the corner of Broadway and a canopy above the entrance; and

WHEREAS, Contrary to the summary provided to Community Board Five, there will be no  "storefront" renovations other than the proposed new entrance to the building and the "awning" is in reality a canopy above the entrance to the building, and no other "awnings" are being proposed; and 

WHEREAS, The renovations which are being proposed are intended to draw attention to the entrance to the building which is being partially converted from floors three to five into commercial occupancy in order to make the building more desirable for commercial purposes; and

WHEREAS, The renovations being proposed are not in keeping with the either the historical character of the Historic District nor the architectural fabric of the Landmark for the following reasons:

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends denial of the application for renovations to the entryway and canopy at 901 Broadway.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 12 West 27th Street is a commercial loft building in the Madison Square North Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The new tenant at the ground floor of the building, a restaurant, intends to replace the existing non-original storefront with a new storefront and provided Community Board 5 with detailed architectural drawings and details of the new design; and

WHEREAS, The new storefront design and materials are deemed harmonious with historical features of other buildings in the Historic District, including:

• Painted Metal framed clear glass windows
• Granite bulkheads below the windows to match existing granite trim
• Centrally placed entrance doors
• Louvers above the framed glass for intake and exhaust purposes (which can be removed and replaced with framed glass if the louvers become obsolete)
• No signage other than etched glass
• No external lighting fixtures (only illumination from within)
• No awning, flags or banner
• The building's service entry doorway will not be altered; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application to replace the existing storefront at 12 West 27th Street.

WHEREAS, The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") has received an application known as a "Request for Evaluation" for considering designation of a portion of the 65th Floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, known as the Rainbow Room, as an Interior Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The Rainbow Room is one of the most celebrated spaces in the world and remains a New York City icon to this day (similar to the Ballroom and the Oak Room of the Plaza Hotel and the Four Seasons Restaurant, which are all Interior Landmarks) with significance for its social and cultural importance as well as its architecture and decor; and

WHEREAS, Rockefeller Center is a Landmark which includes the following Interior Landmarks: the lobbies at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the International Building and the interior of Radio City Music Hall; however, research by Community Board Five did not ascertain why the Rainbow Room was not considered for designation as an Interior Landmark by the LPC at the time of those approvals; and

WHEREAS, The Rainbow Room was designed by Associated Architects, a collaboration of three firms of renowned architects, Reinhard & Hofmeister; Corbett, Harrison & MacMurray; and Raymond Hood, Godley & Fouilhoux, with Raymond Hood as the lead architect; and

WHEREAS, The interior decoration is attributed to Elena Schmidt, a protege of Elsie de Wolfe and wife of the prominent New York architect Mott B. Schmidt with whom she sometimes worked, with assistance from Vincente Minnelli, a young designer at the time, who later became an important Hollywood film director; and

WHEREAS, The space, opened to the public as a glamorous nightclub on October 3, 1934, in the depths of the Depression, was a dramatic icon of the human spirit triumphing over adversity and the despair of the times and was named for the lighting effects produced by the RCA color organ, washing various hues over the 41 foot diameter domed ceiling at night; and

WHEREAS, The architecture and interior design constitute one of the City's most dramatic settings and its best known rooftop nightclub, with double height ceilings unencumbered by internal supports, a 32 foot diameter circular revolving dance floor at its open center, stepped sitting terraces with their original round crystal ballustrades, Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers and 24 foot high floor to ceiling windows; and

WHEREAS, Although the organ has been removed (similar lighting effects are now computer generated) and other major renovations have occurred over the years, the Rainbow Room contains many of its original elements that are unchanged since its inception, such as the basic configuration of the room, the chandeliers, platform terraces and most of the ballustrades, the central dance floor (although the compass-rose inlay of maple and fumed oak surface has been replaced twice by members of the same family as the original installer) and the same window placements, which provide sweeping vistas over the City; and

WHEREAS, This unique interior has many of the features common to other NYC Interior Landmarks, including the location for famous events and its association with notable public figures and entertainers, becoming an integral part of American popular culture as the prototypical nightclub inspiring Hollywood producers and directors conceptually and actually appearing in numerous popular films; and

WHEREAS, The Rainbow Room has featured performances by scores of legendary Hollywood, Broadway, Swing Era and Jazz entertainers including Mary Martin (who made her debut here in 1939), Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Noel Coward, Cole Porter, Edgar Bergen (and Charlie McCarthy), Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Dave Brubeck and Cab Calloway, inspiring numerous musical recordings given the attribution of "Live at the Rainbow Room"; and

WHEREAS, It has hosted numerous charitable events, political gatherings, awards ceremonies, fashion shows, weddings and other celebrations; and 

WHEREAS, During the day the room functions as the Rockefeller Center Luncheon Club, said to be New York's oldest luncheon club in continuous operation; and 

WHEREAS, Support for designation has been indicated by New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Municipal Art Society, the Historic Districts Council, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, and the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council as well as prominent individuals such as Richard Parsons, Chairman of Time Warner; and

WHEREAS, Since 1998 management has been taken over by Cipriani USA and it is now used primarily as a catering and event facility, but continues to have general public access for Sunday Brunch and certain designated Friday nights each month and according to some estimates over 10 million people have visited the Rainbow Room over its 74 year history; and

WHEREAS, The owner of Rockefeller Center, Tishman Speyer, has been invited to comment to Community Board Five, but has written to CB 5 that it is waiting to hear from LPC staff and they are "continuing to study the issue as well"; and

WHEREAS, The Rainbow Room is deemed to have significant cultural and architectural importance; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval of that portion of the 65th Floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, known as the Rainbow Room, for designation as an Interior Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 22 in favor, 4 opposed, 4 abstaining, 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 652 Lexington Avenue (Central Synagogue) is an individually Landmarked (designated in 1966) building, designed by Henry Fernbach who is considered America's first prominent Jewish architect, built in 1872; and

WHEREAS, This is the oldest building in continuous use as a synagogue in New York; and

WHEREAS, The building is noted for its distinctive American 19th Century Moorish style architecture including its star-studded bronze cupolas; and

WHEREAS, On August 20, 1998 the synagogue sustained a devastating fire which nearly destroyed the entire building and after three years the building was fully restored at a substantial cost to its members and continues in use to the present time; and

WHEREAS, The existing HVAC system for the synagogue is located on the roof of 123 East 55th Street, which is the Community House for the synagogue, and must be piped under East 55th Street to reach the synagogue building which is across the street; and 

WHEREAS, This system is deemed inadequate and obsolete for cooling purposes, especially during the High Holidays when the congregants number 1,200 in the main sanctuary and another 600 in the basement atrium area; and

WHEREAS, Various other possible solutions have been explored including new mechanical equipment to be placed either on the roof of the synagogue or above the Community House or geothermal energy sourced from below ground, all of which are considered impractical or less desirable alternatives; and

WHEREAS, The proposed installation of new HVAC equipment in the narrow side yard to the south of the synagogue in an alley way owned by the synagogue, to be placed in a 9 foot steel frame above the one-story glass covered atrium, will provide the 200 tons of cooling capacity required by the synagogue; and

WHEREAS, The new equipment is required for the protection of the historic organ, the preservation of interior building finishes and the comfort of elderly congregants; and

WHEREAS, A mockup has been placed at the location of the equipment and indicates that it will only be visible only from a vantage point of 18 feet of sidewalk on the easterly side of Lexington Avenue and not visible at all from the westerly sidewalk in front of the brick entrance to the side yard; and

WHEREAS, The synagogue has selected equipment that has very low noise levels and minimal size to keep it as  little intrusive as possible for services and for its adjacent neighbors in the apartment building to the south, and 

WHEREAS, Storm windows will be placed outside the stained glass windows of the sanctuary to further limit any sound emission from the equipment; and

WHEREAS, Lights will be placed on the underside of the steel frame to illuminate the glass covered atrium during daylight hours; and

WHEREAS, The surface of the exterior of the metal covering the equipment facing the street will be in a horizontal seam pattern to keep it as inconspicuous as possible; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of HVAC equipment in the side yard of 652 Lexington Avenue (Central Synagogue).

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS,  2 East 52nd Street aka 651-653 Fifth Avenue (Morton and Nellie Plant House) now occupied by the retail store, Cartier, is an individually landmarked building, built in 1905 as a residence for the Plant Family in an era when Fifth Avenue housed the mansions of the Astors, Goulds, Belmonts and Vanderbilts; and

WHEREAS, The current owner, Cartier, has applied to install additional awnings at the upper floors of the East 52ns Street facade and to legalize three flagpoles on that same facade which were installed without Landmarks Preservation Commission approval; and

WHEREAS, The existing awnings on the building on the Fifth Avenue facade and above the first floor have been changed from an inconspicuous white color at the time of designation to a bright red color (apparently with LPC concurrence) and the building already has three flagpoles on the Fifth Avenue facade; and

WHEREAS, Each red awning and the illegal flagpoles with bright red flags now in place all have signage with the Cartier name which is deemed excessive; and

WHEREAS, The proposed awnings and illegal flagpoles give the building an unnecessarily commercial appearance and are considered a distraction from the classical architectural features of the building; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has a general policy of not approving illegally placed building elements such as illegally placed flagpoles; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends that the Landmarks Preservation Commission deny the application to install awnings at the upper floors and to legalize the installation of three flagpoles, on the East 52nd Street facade without Landmarks Preservation Commission permits.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 24 in favor, 3 opposed, 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 5 West 20th Street is a five story store and loft style building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Upon inspection of this site, it is believed the original late 19th – early 20th century architectural elements are mostly intact, with some need for restoration; and

WHEREAS, The second floor of the building façade originally was composed primarily of glass, containing three windows measuring approximately 8’-0” wide X 9’-0” tall, with wood and metal surrounds; and

WHEREAS, At some point in the 1950’s or 1960’s, prior to designation of the Ladies Mile Historic District, the second floor windows were cut-up and reframed to accommodate installation of air conditioners; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to remove the existing windows, and to replace these with three new hopper style windows, in which the bottom sections will flip outward; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new windows will have anodized bronze surrounds; and

WHEREAS, We believe that these new windows would be reminiscent of the display case style very typically found in the Ladies Mole Historic District; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to remove and replace the second floor windows at 5 West 20th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The applicant has applied to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to legalize the installation of windows at 11-13 West 18th Street without Landmarks Preservation Commission permits in response to a Warning Letter; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Landmarks Preservation Commission permits seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted; and

WHEREAS, The applicant was invited, yet failed to attend Community Board Five’s Landmarks Committee meeting on November 4, 2008 to present the proposal for review; and

WHEREAS, Any questions that the Committee might have regarding the application could not be addressed; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has had a general policy of not approving illegal changes to landmarked buildings in Historic Districts; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to legalize the installation of windows at 11-13 West 18th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 46 West 22nd Street is a commercial office building located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas in the Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The ground floor tenant of this building (Allegreti Restaurant) has submitted an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission 1) to approve a replacement awning already installed and 2) to remove existing non-historical windows and doors and to replace them with mahogany and brass framed all glass windows and doors at the ground floor level plus 3) to replace existing halogen down lights above the storefront with "upgraded" fixtures; and

WHEREAS, The replaced awning is a different color, but retains the same hardware and dimensions as the previous awning approved by LPC, and further, did not cause a Violation and was brought to the attention of LPC by the applicant in conjunction with the store infill application; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has submitted a design for the new storefront that includes contemporary style full ceiling to floor windows and doors and has failed to provide images of the proposed replacement lighting fixtures; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval of the replacement awning since it appears to be similar to the LPC approved previous awning which was a different color but had the same hardware and dimensions, and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends denial of the application for storefront infill since: 

• the proposed new storefront windows and doors appear to be too modern because they are all glass going to their base and do not include bulkheads below the windows similar to those in the adjacent storefront as well as those found elsewhere in the Historic District which would be deemed a more historically faithful facade design; and
• the applicant did not provide the Community Board 5 with images of the proposed new replacement lighting fixtures.

WHEREAS, 110 East 42nd Street, a/k/a 110-120 East 42nd Street and 107-115 East 41st  Street, (formerly the Bowery Savings Bank headquarters) has been an individual interior and exterior Landmark since September 21, 1993, built in 1921-23 with an addition built in 1931-33, designed in the Italian Romanesque style by the distinguished architectural firm, York & Sawyer; and

WHEREAS, The NYC Planning Commission subsequently incorporated this landmarked building into the Grand Central Zoning Subdistrict ("GCZS"); and

WHEREAS, The ownership of the entire building was transferred into a condominium splitting the property ownership into different segments, namely the office tower portion, the imposing banking hall and adjacent office space above it (all owned and occupied by the Cipriani interests and operated by them as a catering and event space) and the garage portion of the building entered on East 41st Street;

WHEREAS, The Applicant, the current owner (an entity controlled by S.L. Green) of the office tower  portion of the condominium has the exclusive right to use the unused development rights associated with the entire building; and

WHEREAS, Individually landmarked properties within GCZS (in addition to Grand Central Station for which the GCZS was originally created) are permitted to transfer their unused development rights to other locations within the GCZS provided they meet certain criteria; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is seeking a Report from LPC allowing it to transfer up to 112,000 sq. ft. of unused development rights from 110 East 42nd Street to a receiving site, 317 Madison Avenue, both within the GCZ S pursuant to Sections 81-631 and 81-635 of the Zoning Resolution; and

WHEREAS, 317 Madison, the receiving site, is actually three separate adjacent buildings all also controlled by S.L. Green, constituting most of the block at the east side of Madison Avenue at East 42nd and East 43rd Streets; and

WHEREAS, 317 Madison still has many tenants and leases and is not ready for demolition and new construction at this time, the Applicant has not prepared designs for the receiving site; and

WHEREAS, Ongoing negotiations have been difficult with the Cipriani interests which must consent to and cooperate for certain restoration work as it affects the entrance and facade at their level of the condominium building, which is required by in order for LPC to issue its Report to the Department of City Planning to approve a Special Permit for the transfer under Section 81-635 of the Z.R.; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant believes that it has concluded a successful agreement with the Cipriani interests which may not be the case in the future if it waits to be closer to re-development of  317 Madison; and

WHEREAS, There are reported Violations relating to destruction of portions of the interior (reportedly removal of certain teller windows) of the Landmark caused by Cipriani, over which the Applicant had no control, but the Applicant is willing to take full responsibility to cure; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is required to demonstrate that there is a harmonious relationship between the receiving site and the Landmark; and

WHEREAS, Since the receiving site is somewhat distant and any future building does not appear to be of sufficient size or bulk to constitute a disharmonious building since the 112,000 sq. ft. would add only six floors of equivalent bulk to a building of not more than 28 floors, but which may be greater depending on the massing to be determined by the design of the proposed new construction at 317 Madison Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The applicant will present the design of the proposed new building to Community Board 5 for review to determine whether it is harmonious with the contributing Landmark at 110 East 42nd street prior to coming to the Community Board 5 Land Use and Zoning Committee for consideration of the Special Permit required for the new Construction; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is applying to LPC for a C of A to restore the exterior of the building by cleaning, pointing and repairing masonry; painting and weatherizing other elements of the facade; restoring storefronts and entrances to the building, including doors and adjacent side panels; lightening statuary bronze as set forth in the Restoration Plan prepared by applicant's consultants, Higgins & Quasbarth, a copy of which is attached hereto; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is required to provide LPC with a Maintenance Plan to keep the building in first class condition, which will run with the ownership in perpetuity, for 110 East 42nd Street, which has not been written yet but is considered rather routine for this type of transfer; therefore be it 

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application for a C of A for facade restoration together with approval of a request for a Report pursuant to Z.R. Section 81-631 to permit transfer of up to 112,000 sq. ft. of unused development rights from 110 East 42nd Street to 317 Madison Avenue, including a representation that the Applicant will assume full financial responsibility to restore any damage or destruction in the interior of the Landmark space which may constitute a Violation.

WHEREAS, 54 West 21st Street is a commercial office building located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas in the Ladies Miles Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The ground floor tenant of this building has submitted an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to install awnings within the three window bays at the ground floor level; and

WHEREAS, Each of the proposed fabric window awnings are approximately 7’-0” wide X 4’-0” deep and would be embossed with the signage for the ground floor tenant; and

WHEREAS, we believe that the design and placement of the proposed awnings is in accordance with The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Rules; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is also seeking for Landmarks Preservation Commission to legalize a flag pole that had been installed by a previous tenant of this space; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has presented an historic photograph, taken just prior to the designation of the district, and has indicated that the flagpole had been previously in place, however current photographs indicate this flagpole had been slightly relocated; and

WHEREAS, Anyone seeking to perform alterations to a building within an historic preservation district must apply for and receive permission from the Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, Although we have no objection to the design or the placement of the proposed window awnings, Community Board Five has had a general policy of not approving illegally performed work on landmarked buildings in Historic Districts; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommend denial of the application for permission to install the proposed awnings and for the legalization of the flagpole at 54 West 21 Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 22 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 866 Broadway (between 17th and 18th Streets), located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, is a four-story Greek Revival style townhouse originally constructed in 1847-1848 and altered in 1922, and

WHEREAS, The applicant is refurbishing the entire building consisting of residential upper stories with ground floor retail, and

WHEREAS, The applicant intends to restore, refurbish and replace missing historic elements including:

• removal of non-historic windows and installation of new 2/2 double hung wood windows to match the historic condition
• return of all window openings to their original size
• removal of all paint from the front façade, perform necessary re-pointing and selective brick replacement to match the historic condition
• repair the cornice, lintels, and sills
• repair existing and replace missing iron fire shutters on rear façade
• replace deteriorated, stucco-parged brick at the rear elevation with new brick to match the historic condition
• removal of the non-contributing fire escape
• replace non-historic aluminum storefront with a new wood and glass configuration more appropriate to the district, and

WHEREAS, The applicant's proposed storefront, sign, and lighting replicate the configuration, size, and locations previously approved by Community Board Five for the adjacent, similar building 864 Broadway, and

WHEREAS, No exterior security grates are proposed; and

WHEREAS, Code compliance measures and modernization improvements will not detract from the historic fabric such as:

• the existing bulk head is to be removed and a new bulkhead will be constructed on the roof of the building and along with the new roof top railings, skylights and mechanical equipment, will be minimally visible from the public right-of way
• commercial air conditioning unit and sound attenuating baffle will be placed in the rear yard (not roof) and will not be visible from the public way
• new residential door light is a modern design yet references historic elements, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five Landmarks Committee recommends approval of this application for renovation of a four-story Greek Revival style townhouse at 866 Broadway between 17th and 18th Streets.

WHEREAS, 2 Park Avenue (between East 32nd and East 33rd Streets), designed in 1927 by Ely Jacques Kahn, is a distinctive Art Deco Landmarked office building, especially noted for its angular terra cotta decoration at the upper floors; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a Master Plan for all of the storefronts continuing the cast iron designs already being used along the Park Avenue facade and wrapping around both the East 32nd and East 33rd Street sides of the building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Master Plan compliments the original design of the building facade and will conform all of the bays on the side streets to those storefronts occupied by the current tenants, Chase and HSBC, and is deemed harmonious to the Art Deco period; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the proposed storefront Master Plan for 2 Park Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstaining; 0 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, The owners of 17 West 32nd Street (La Quinta Hotel, formerly the Aberdeen Hotel) have applied for a proposed glass marquee at the entrance doorway of the building which is an individually Landmarked Beaux Arts building, in the neo baroque style, dating from the early 1900s; and

WHEREAS, The proposed glass marquee with signage for La Quinta on three of its sides, will identify the hotel solely for commercial purposes; and

WHEREAS, The proposed marquee and its design have no relationship to the elegant building facade and are deemed totally disharmonious; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for a proposed glass marquee at 17 West 32nd Street (La Quinta Hotel, formerly the Aberdeen Hotel).

The above resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The office building known as 60 Madison Avenue at the corner of East 27th Street, is located in the Madison Square Park North Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five recommended approval of an application to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") in April 2008 for certain storefront design modifications; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has been requested to submit a Master Plan to LPC covering restoration of all of the five bays constituting two storefronts at the ground level of the building, on Madison Avenue, wrapping around to East 27th Street; and

WHEREAS, Although Community Board Five is gravely chagrined that this application was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission before CB5 had an opportunity to make their recommendation, and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to include in its Master Plan:

• Historically appropriate painted window signage;
• Awnings, made of acrylic and canvas, extending out 4 1/2 feet, that may contain lettering on their valances, the materials and patterns conforming to the Secretary of the Interior standards for historic preservation;
• Mounted, framed signboards above each of the bays, all matching in size and style and lettering;
• Hidden LED down lights placed above each storefront transom for illumination of the windows;
• Tenants will be limited to select signage from only two of the three signage alternatives indicated above; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five prefers that there be no lettering on the awnings;  therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a Master Plan for restoration of all of the storefronts at 60 Madison Avenue, with the exception of the proposed lettering on the awnings.

WHEREAS, 165 West 57th St. (CAMI Building) near Seventh Avenue, is an Italian mannerist Landmarked building with Tuscan overtones, complimenting Carnegie Hall, directly across West 57th Street; and

WHEREAS, The new owners, the University of Navarre in Barcelona, are changing the occupancy, they are applying to LPC for approval of the addition of two elements to the building:

• New entrance ramp and stair required for ADA compliance to make the building ADA accessible,
• New rooftop mechanical cooling tower (measuring 20 ft X 9 ft 6 in. X 15 ft) to be located at the rear of the roof, not visible from West 57th Street; and

WHEREAS, Although the entrance ramp, Dakota Mahogany Granite stairs and 3 ft high cast iron railing for the ramp (using the design of railings at the NY Public Library) are not esthetically well suited for the building, they are a practical solution for legal ADA compliance; and

WHEREAS, Although the mechanical cooling tower can be seen from a narrow alley way leading to West 58th Street as well as the upper floors of nearby buildings, it also is a practical solution for the need to modernize the building systems and its placement is at the least obtrusive location on the rooftop; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for proposed alterations at 165 West 57th Street for a new entrance ramp and stair to make the building ADA accessible and for a rooftop cooling tower which will be added in the back of the building.

WHEREAS, The former New York Times Building (under new ownership) at 217-247 West 43rd Street, is an individually Landmarked office building, currently undergoing complete interior renovations with the new owner having the intention of keeping it as an office building; and

WHEREAS, The owners have applied to the LPC for approval to modify two elements of the exterior,

• Reinstall illuminated signage for a new, but as yet undetermined, tenant at the tower at the chateau-type top of the building, with the same height and style of lettering that once read "TIMES" on all four faces of the tower.  Said new signage would be 7' 7" high in a new frame on the face of each of the four sides, the configuration of the lettering or logo to be approved by LPC once a new tenant has been determined;
• Reinstall an 8 ft. round bronze analog clock at the third floor level of the West 43rd Street           facade, similar to a clock that had been there in the 1930's but had been replaced in 1963 by a modern digital clock which will be removed; and

WHEREAS, Both these changes are sympathetic to the original design of the building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to reinstall signage on the building's rooftop Tower and to replace the Clock at the 3rd Floor level of the facade.

WHEREAS, 230 Park Avenue (between East 45th and East 46th Streets), formerly known as the New York Central Building, built in 1929, then known as the New York General Building, now known as the Helmsley Building, is an individual Landmark, designed by Warren and Wetmore as part of the complex of buildings surrounding Grand Central Station, also designed by these same architects; and

WHEREAS, Certain interior portions of this building, namely public access areas, are also landmarked along with the exterior; and

WHEREAS, The owner is seeking to renovate portions of the lobby to conform to the needs of one of its prime tenants, ING, a financial services company, which requires additional lobby security and reception checkpoints; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied to eliminate a newsstand in the lobby and substitute a concierge desk in its place; and

WHEREAS, The location has no full door and must be accessed by way of a low half door that must be crawled through to enter and exit the space; and

WHEREAS, The owner has located an unused, original bronze door elsewhere in the building and proposes to utilize this historic element, not currently visible to the public, and place the door discreetly in the rear of the concierge area for access purposes, and still retain the small half door which will no longer be used, but will be kept for historical purposes; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied to place a small podium type desk at the 45th Street lobby side of the building as a security checkpoint for customers visiting ING; and

WHEREAS, The podium will be designed in materials matching those of an existing podium in the lobby; and

WHEREAS, Although Community Board Five is gravely chagrined that the application was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission before CB5 had an opportunity to make their recommendation and the LPC refused to hold the matter over despite CB 5's request; and

WHEREAS, The owner came before CB 5's Landmarks Committee, as a courtesy, after the approval, in order for CB 5 to be on the record even after the LPC Hearing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to install a door and desks in the lobby of 230 Park Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS; The building known as 12 West 23rd Street, between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, is an early 20th Century loft and store building; and

WHEREAS, The façade at the ground and second floor levels is mostly non-original building fabric, having been altered through the years; and

WHEREAS, Qdoba Mexican Grill, the future tenant for the ground floor retail space proposes to install a new aluminum framed storefront, with a painted wood façade and a new canvas awning; and

WHEREAS, The applicant also proposes to install non-illuminated metal pin-letter signage within the sign band spandrel and a non-illuminated blade sign; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to remove the existing roll-down gate; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new storefront and façade for 12 West 23rd Street is symmetrical to the recently installed storefront and façade of 14 West 23rd Street,  immediately next door, currently occupied by Starbucks Coffee; and

WHEREAS, Overall, the proposed changes are keeping within the style and the character of the West 23rd Street neighborhood and the Ladies Mile Historic District, and a distinct improvement over the existing condition of the building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to install the new storefront, façade, awning and signage at 12 West 23rd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 17 East 17th Street is a seven-story building constructed in approximately 1900, located on the north side of 17th Street between Broadway/Union Square West and Fifth Avenue in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant received a Certificate of No Effect from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for the addition of a penthouse which is not visible from street level; and

WHEREAS, When the penthouse was added, the work exceeded the scope of the Certificate of No Effect and also included stairs and an elevator bulkhead located above the penthouse; and

WHEREAS, The extra work is nearly complete and its height exceeds that allowed under the Certificate of No Effect by eight feet; and

WHEREAS, The extra work is visible from street level and therefore is not eligible for a Certificate of No Effect; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has applied to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to legalize the existing illegal work in order to secure a new Certificate of Occupancy for the Building; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has also applied to add three mechanical units that would rise two and a half feet above the existing illegal work; and

WHEREAS, A visual inspection by Community Board Five confirms that the existing extra work will be minimally visible — the elevator bulkhead can be seen from the southeast corner of East 17th Street and Union Square West, but the existing work is not visible from any other location; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has had a general policy of not approving illegal additions to landmarked buildings in Historic Districts; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to legalize the stairs and elevator bulkhead and add three new mechanical units at 17 East 17th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 24 West 55th Street and 17 West 54 Street are individually landmarked buildings that have been painted in colors not reflecting the original colors indicated from paint samples taken from the buildings; and

WHEREAS, The non-conforming colors, which the applicant now has requested to legalize, constitute a violation of the regulations of the Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant failed to appear at the Landmarks Committee Meeting of Community Board Five; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has had a policy of not legalizing unauthorized modifications to Landmark properties; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to legalize an unauthorized color change to the painted windows and doors at 24 West 55th Street and 17 West 54 Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS; The building known as 155 5th Avenue, between E. 21st St. and E. 22nd St., is an individual landmark located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, and is a  loft and store building, originally the first headquarters of the publishers, Charles Scribner's Sons, designed by the architect, Ernest Flagg, built in 1894; and

WHEREAS, The façade at the ground floor level is partly non-original building construction, having been altered through the years; and

WHEREAS, The last tenant, United Synagogues of America, has vacated the building and the owner is preparing the building for extensive restoration reflecting the historic period at the time of construction; and

WHEREAS, The applicant intends to restore the double doors for the ground floor retail space and proposes to restore the painted wood side doors and painted fenestration along with other building elements; and

WHEREAS, The applicant also proposes to install discreet downlights at the portico and will keep small numerals for the street address; and

WHEREAS, Overall, the proposed changes are keeping within the style and the character of this part of lower Fifth Avenue and the Ladies Mile Historic District, and a distinct improvement over the existing condition of the building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to install the new doorway, façade, side doors and other details proposed by the applicant at 155 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 168 Fifth Avenue is a loft and store building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner of the building previously restored the northerly storefront after obtaining Community Board Five and Landmarks Preservation Commission approvals; and

WHEREAS, The applicant now proposes to restore the southerly storefront with matching materials and finishes complimentary to the northerly storefront; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new storefront configuration and materials are the same as the previously installed storefront; and

WHEREAS, Overall, the proposed changes are in keeping with the style and the character of the Lower Fifth Avenue corridor and the Ladies Mile Historic District; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to install the new storefront at 168 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Applicant, 516 Fifth Avenue Partners LLC (RFR Holdings/Hines Construction Manager) proposes to transfer approximately 60,317 SF floor area of development rights from 20 W. 44 St., the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Building, an individual Landmark ("the Landmark"), to a new development site at the northwest corner of W. 43 St. and Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is seeking to develop a 678 ft. tall tower on the site of 516-520 Fifth Avenue which now contains three non-Landmark commercial buildings, all in the process of being vacated preparatory to demolition; and

WHEREAS, the proposed 54 story tower will contain a 200+ room hotel in 36 stories, 11 stories of residential apartments at the top and a multistory retail component at the base, plus a "sky lobby" for the hotel at the sixth floor level with a canopied entrance on Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant and the owner of the Landmark, the General Society, are required to file an Application for a Report from the Landmarks Preservation Commission pursuant to Section 74-711 of the Zoning Resolution including a detailed description of the scope of work to restore the Landmark and to provide a Continuing Maintenance Program; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has reviewed both the Restoration work to be performed, estimated to cost $1,500,000 or approximately 25% of the proceeds from the development rights to be sold by the General Society, and the Continuing Maintenance Program, which will be funded by not less than 5% of the sale, the proceeds of which will be in excess of $8,000,000; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is also purchasing approximately 53,000 SF of development rights from the Princeton Club, 15 W. 43 St. and approximately 81,000 SF of development rights from the Century Association (aka Century Club), 7 W. 43 St.; and

WHEREAS, The Landmark at 20 W. 44 St., designed by Lamb & Rich, was constructed in 1891, originally for the Berkeley Preparatory School, and was later sold to the current owner, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, founded 1n 1785, a philanthropic and educational organization with an illustrious history, which enlarged the building in 1909; and

WHEREAS, The General Society has a free library, one of the largest in the City outside the New York City Public Libraries, and offers evening classes at a nominal cost to its students; and

WHEREAS, The organization has limited resources to repair and maintain its Landmark building, including the following badly needed work:

• Cleaning and restoration of brick, terra cotta and limestone on the north façade
• Restoration of upper floor windows, historic grills, cleaning grills and replacing non-historic grills
• Replacement of missing historic urns on the balustrade
• Replacement of entry doors with new doors matching the historic entry infill
• Restoration and stabilization of the fire escapes
• Repair of roof elements compatible with the original painted copper cornice at the roof; and
  
  WHEREAS, The zoning lot for the development site is comprised of the three sites on Fifth Avenue, the Landmark General Society site and the Century Association Clubhouse (also a landmark); and

WHEREAS, The new building will require a Special Permit pursuant ZR Sections 74-711 and 81-277 to

•      Modify applicable "split lot" regulations (to allow floor area generated in the C6-4.5 portion of the zoning lot to be developed as commercial floor area in the C5-3 portion of the zoning lot),
• 
       Waive height and setback regulations, and
• 
        Waive pedestrian circulation space and lobby access requirements; and

WHEREAS, The new building will contain a loading dock two bays wide for truck deliveries and trash removal with access on W. 43 St.; and

WHEREAS, The new tower, designed by Pelli, Clarke, Pelli architects, is slightly lower, at 678 ft. vs. 711 ft., than the as-of-right tower that could be constructed, but will be preferable in design and appearance; and

WHEREAS, There are nearby towers of comparable height, including 500 Fifth Avenue, on the corner of W. 42nd St. and Fifth Avenue at 699 ft.; and

WHEREAS, This proposal will be reviewed by the Land Use and Zoning Committee of Community Board Five at a future date to address the zoning modification, variance and waiver requirements; and

WHEREAS, The design of the proposed tower is deemed to have a harmonious relationship with the General Society building as well as nearby Landmarked Properties, including the Manufacturers Trust Company bank building directly across the street at W. 43 St. and Fifth Avenue, the New York Yacht Club Building, 37 W. 44 St., the Harvard Club, 27 W. 44 St., the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 37 W. 43 St. and 42 W. 44 St., and the Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44 St., in addition to the adjacent Century Association Clubhouse; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to request that the Landmarks Preservation Commission issue a Report to the City Planning Commission pursuant to section 74-711 of the Zoning Resolution to permit transfer of the development rights from the historic Landmark Building at 20 W. 44 St. to the proposed Tower site at 516-520 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining, 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 17 West 56 Street (between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas) is a limestone and brick Neo-Georgian townhouse, built in 1870 and designed by John G Prague, an architect who became one of the best known builders on the Upper West Side of Manhattan from 72nd to 89th Streets, and has many landmarked buildings to his credit; and

WHEREAS, During the 1890s, the neighborhood where this townhouse is located became a fashionable address for Manhattan’s banking elite and other wealthy families; and

WHEREAS, In 1903, the new owner, Mrs. John A. Logan commissioned Augustus N. Allen to remodel the façade in the Neo Georgian style and convert it to the newly popular “American basement” scheme with the entrance at street level, since residences accessed by a stairs to a stoop had become unfashionable; and

WHEREAS, Its richly ornamented facade includes a segmental-arched entry set in a rusticated limestone ground floor, a dignified Neo-Georgian brick facade above the ground floor with three attractive pedimented dormers gracing the peak roof; and

WHEREAS, Allen was known for designing grand estates in for New Yorkers in Manhattan, Long Island and New Jersey including the John Jermain Memorial Library for Mrs. Russell Sage built across the street from her summer house on Long Island in memory of her grandfather, which was presented as a gift to the people of Sag Harbor; and

WHEREAS, Allen also designed the extraordinary landmarked Campbell Apartment at Grand Central Terminal, originally designed as an office for Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1923; and

WHEREAS, By 1932, 17 West had become an ornate midtown café, called The Royal Box, that filled the entire building, flaunting prohibition laws, whose owner was a well known criminal and professional killer of the time named Owney Madden, also May West’s boyfriend and protector ("Sweet but oh so vicious" is how she described him years later. The café was raided when people were finishing lunch on New Year’s Eve and Federal Agents said it was the richest setting they had ever invaded); and

WHEREAS, In 1973 Takara Belmont, a company headquartered in Osaka, Japan, the current owner, bought it and it became offices and showrooms for the company which makes furniture and equipment for spas, beauty salons and barbershops; and

WHEREAS, This building was listed in the 1979 Midtown West Survey by the Landmarks Preservation Commission as among buildings worthy of landmark designation; and

WHEREAS, The West 54 -55 Street Block Association has researched this building and its architectural, historical and cultural significance and strongly recommends its designation as a landmark; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends that the New York City Landmarks Preservation commission approves the designation of 17 West 56 Street as a Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 19-25 West 20th Street, located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, is a parcel containing 21-25 West 20th Street, a seven story brick 75' wide public parking garage built in 1926-27 and 19 West 20th Street. a 25' wide parking lot, flanked by sidewalls of the adjacent buildings that reveal the silhouette of a rowhouse that once stood on the site; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is seeking to develop the 25' parking lot as a 15 story residential building which would not be permitted under Section 23-692 of the Zoning Resolution since it would be a prohibited "sliver" building in a C 6-4A Zoning District; and

WHEREAS, By requesting approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to cantilever a three story extension of new construction above the existing parking garage, the applicant is making the argument that the building lot is really a 100' wide property, not 25' wide, and that Section 23-692 does not apply; and

WHEREAS, By using lightweight steel and glass construction materials the applicant intends to minimize the load on the existing garage structure for the new three story addition; and

WHEREAS, Since this steel and glass design dictates that the new 15 story building use similar materials for its design; and

WHEREAS, Residents and organizations in the Ladies Mile Historic District have strongly objected to this development based on:

• The circumvention of the sliver law by the developer by asking the Buildings Department to consider this as one building lot when historically there had been two separate parcels and, in so doing, getting an economic advantage over the 60' height if it were only the 25' lot under consideration
• The excessive height of the 15 story new building which is out of proportion to the adjacent buildings and the rest of the area
• The visibility of the rooftop addition to the existing parking garage from the street, especially with the use of disharmonious building materials
• The visibility of the recessed portion of the 15 story proposed building
• The use of a contemporary modern steel and glass design with no relationship to the existing historic architectural fabric of the area
•  The close proximity of residential units to the parking garage where the residential occupants will be confronted with noxious gasoline and exhaust fumes since the garage operation will continue for another 30 years according to the developer; and

WHEREAS, Although the applicant is proposing to repair and restore some elements of the existing parking garage, including a neon sign which had been removed, this is deemed to be insufficient justification to approve the application; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for restoration work to an existing public parking garage and a three story rooftop residential addition along with a new 15 story residential building at an adjacent open surface parking lot at 19-25 West 20 Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 26 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Flatiron 18, is a 20 story residential condominium building, designed by Richard Cook, newly constructed in 2007, located at 26-30 West 18th Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, In the event that work is proposed which would alter any building located within any landmarked historic district, the Landmarks Law, NY Administrative Code 25-305 and 25-310, requires that the Landmarks Preservation Commission approves all work and that a permit is issued in advance of the performance of the proposed work; and

WHEREAS, On March 10, 2008, the Landmarks Preservation Commission issued a warning letter to the owners of the building at 26-30 West 18th Street, advising that this property is in violation of the Landmarks Law, with respect to the installation of two (2) flagpoles and one (1) banner without permits; and

WHEREAS, Within 20 days of the warning letter the owners replied and had submitted an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking to have the illegally installed flagpoles and banner legalized; and

WHEREAS, The illegally installed flagpoles and banner are an advertisement for rental apartment available in Flatiron 18; and

WHEREAS, The illegally installed banner measures 4-0” Wide X 11’-6” High; and

WHEREAS, Residents of the area appeared before the Landmarks Committee of community Board Five to object to the flagpoles and banner; and

WHEREAS, Community Board has suggested that the applicant should remove the flagpoles and banner, and that they should apply to the Landmarks Preservation for permission before these are reinstalled; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the illegally installed flagpoles and banner at 26-30 West 18th Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 26 West 56 Street (between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas) is one of a group of five brownstone row houses built in 1871, designed in the "Neo-Grec" or Greek Revival style for its owner, George Da Cunha, an architect, by D. & J. Jardine; and

WHEREAS, David Jardine was born in 1830 in Scotland and came to NY at the age of 20, took his younger brother John into the business, and as D&J Jardine designed many buildings that have become landmarks; and

WHEREAS, George Hart was granted the deed to 26 West 56th Street in 1893; Hart was an original Director and President of the Central Crosstown Railroad Company, the president of the Second Avenue Railroad Company and the Christopher and 10th Street railroad all of which he managed until consolidating; he was also a director and trustee of several banks; and

WHEREAS, 26 West was originally accessed by a stoop and was recessed from its lot line, and by the first year of the 20th century the block became the townhouse residences of many prominent bankers who hired well-known architects to design them; and

WHEREAS, In 1907 the facade was altered by the well-known architect Harry Allan Jacobs to eliminate the front stoop and replace it with a street level entry and a limestone Beaux-Arts facade  which was the fashion of the time; and

WHEREAS, Jacobs, trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, was engaged by Henry Seligman, the prominent banker who lived in #30 in what eventually became a landmark; and

WHEREAS, Jacobs was a specialist in residences for prominent New Yorkers like the Cuttings and Guggenheims; a writer and contributor to the NY Times real estate section; designed many buildings that have become landmarks including the Friars Club in Manhattan.  (In 1911, he proposed an additional avenue between 5th and 6th from 200-250 feet wide, starting at 42nd and going up to 59th Street to create a dignified thoroughfare and alleviate traffic in the same way it was done in Paris, with buildings on each side restricted to 7 stories. He was a winner of the Prix de Roma and a fellow of the American Academy of Rome); and

WHEREAS, Jacobs extended the building to the lot line and designed a simple but impressive Beaux-Arts style limestone façade with a dormered mansard roof, an elegantly carved wreath of leaves over a lion’s head in the recessed tympanum over the entrance, with the fourth and fifth floors set back to the line of the original house; and

WHEREAS, In 1908, Seligman granted the deed to E. Hayward Ferry with the stipulation that as long as Seligman resided at 30 West 56th, No. 26 could only be used as a single family residence; Ferry was a Harvard graduate who was a vice president of important banks and a philanthropist; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960s, the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Foundation and the American Film Institute were occupants in the building; and

WHEREAS, Alarcon Holdings bought it in 1988 and owns the current building's occupant, Spanish Broadcasting System, the #3 Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the US which reaches more than half the US Hispanic population; and

WHEREAS, The elegant Beaux-Arts-style limestone facade has not been changed since Harry Jacobs designed it in 1907; and 

WHEREAS, 26 West 56 Street was listed in the 1979 Midtown West Survey by the Landmarks Preservation Commission among the buildings worthy of landmark designation; and

WHEREAS, The West 54 -55 Street Block Association has researched this building and its architectural, historical and cultural significance and strongly recommends its designation as a landmark; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends that the New York City Landmarks Preservation commission approves the designation of 26 West 56 Street as a Landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 30 West 24 Street is located between 5th and 6th Avenue in a northern boundary of the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The applicant THAI 212 Inc. had proposed to install a large banner above the first-story, like many others on the opposite side of the street; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has had LPC staff approval for a new awning and agrees to make an exposed light fixture conduit compliant with LPC rules; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to install a bracket sign rather than a banner; and

WHEREAS, The bracket sign will conform to LPC rules including that it be no larger than 24"x36" and mounted at the first floor level; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of an application to install a bracket sign at the first story and to conceal electrical conduits from a previously installed lighting fixture at 30 West 24th Street in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 8 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 232-246 Central Park South, aka 233-241 West 58th Street and 1792-1810 Broadway was constructed in 1939-40 by the architectural firm Mayer & Whittelsey, and designated as an individual landmark in 2002 (approximately); and

WHEREAS, A Master Plan for the restoration of the storefronts and windows in the building was approved by Community Board Five and the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2005 and construction is mostly complete; and

WHEREAS, The Owner has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to (a) replace the existing, non-original, mesh roll-up security gates and fence covering the entrance to an original open-air, drive-in trash service area, and (b) restore an original garden; and

WHEREAS, The service entrance faces West 58th Street, has two drive-in loading bays for trucks (which are not currently being used by the Sanitation Department), other paved service spaces, and is secured from the street by a 12’ mesh fence in dilapidated condition; and

WHEREAS, Although the original building had only a pair of gates in front of the loading bays and no fence, the Owner has determined that security concerns require a 50’ fence along the entire service entrance; and

WHEREAS, The proposed fence and gates will be ten feet high, fabricated of stainless steel, and have a chevron design reflective of the original gate and the current balcony railings; and

WHEREAS, The original building had a planted area slightly raised from the street, which the owner proposes to restore; and

WHEREAS, The proposed fence and gates, although not a restoration of the original condition, is in keeping with the style and design of the original building, the garden is a restoration of an original condition, and both will greatly enhance the building and the street; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for Central Park South Associates, the owner of 232-246 Central Park South, to replace security gates and fence and to restore a portion of the rear yard to a garden.

The abnove resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Plaza Hotel  768 5th Ave & 2 Central Park South is a designated individual Landmark built in 1905-1907 designed  by the architect, Henry Janeway Hardenbergh; and

WHEREAS, The applicant seeks to replace the non-original flooring (currently wood plank, originally linoleum) with a cork floor, with a large scale parquet-style pattern would closely resemble the original design, except in darker tones; and

WHEREAS, The staff of the LPC has indicated that the use of cork flooring as an alternative to replicating the original material which may be unavailable, is an acceptable alternative; and

WHEREAS, The applicant additionally seeks to replace existing, non-original wall sconce lighting fixtures on wood paneling (installed c.1945 renovation), with the same quantity of lighting fixtures, in two styles more suited to an earlier period; and

WHEREAS, These replacements will further restore and enhance the Oak Room; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Plaza Hotel, 768 Fifth Avenue, for Interior Restoration Work to permit the replacement of non-original Flooring & Light fixtures in the Oak Bar.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Applicant, The Century Association, known as the Century Club, 7 West 43rd Street, is an individually landmarked building, located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, designed by the architect William Kendall of McKim Mead and White; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is seeking to enlarge a doorway entrance at the westerly side of the facade to provide handicapped access by lowering the existing stone step 7" to make it flush with the sidewalk and then having it slope upward 1" to the door which will be extended by 6" at the bottom to reach the elevation to fit the new space; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is using the same stone step at the base as is now in place and the metal door will be removed and altered and painted to match the existing door, and

WHEREAS, This amenity for handicapped access is deemed to be in the public interest, although not required by law; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to enlarge the door opening to create handicapped entrance at 7 West 43rd Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 29 West 21st Street located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, is a six-story neo-Re naissance store and loft building, designed by the architectural firm James E. Ware & Son, was constructed in 1909, and is in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, the building is primarily constructed of buff colored brick, with Milford Pink Granite at the base of the east and west piers; and

WHEREAS, at the first floor level, there is an entrance for upper floors of the building at the west, and an entrance for the ground floor tenant toward the east, centered between two storefront windows, all underneath four transom windows; and

WHEREAS, with the exception of the western most transom window, which is composed of 4” X 4” panes of glass, it is evident that much of the first floor had been altered over time, including the existing painted wood storefront infill, and aluminum clad doors at the building entrance; and

WHEREAS, the applicant proposes to remove the existing entrance doors and storefront infill; and

WHEREAS, the applicant proposes to install new full height glass entrance doors at both the west and at the east, which would be recessed into the building, and would mirror one another; and

WHEREAS, the applicant proposes to install a new metal clad storefront which would be painted a light color; and

WHEREAS, the applicant proposes to retain the existing westernmost transom, but to have a total of three transom windows, which would mimic the bands of tripartite one-over-one windows in floors two through six; and

WHEREAS, the applicant proposes to have signage installed 18” behind the new glazing; and

 WHEREAS, we strongly recommend keeping the four part transom windows, but are in agreement that the proposed removal and replacement of the non-historic storefront and entrances would not have a negative impact; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to remove and reconfigure the non-original storefront, entry doors, street façade, windows and signage at 29 West 21st Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 1270 Avenue of the Americas (between 50th and 51st Street), which contains Radio City Music Hall and is a part of the landmarked Rockefeller Center, has made an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to remove the marquee over the entry to the building and to replace the entry doors with two (2) new revolving doors and two (2) ADA-compliant swing doors; and

WHEREAS, The marquee and the entry doors were put in by a prior owner in the early 1990’s with LPC approval but are not historically accurate; and

WHEREAS, the entrance doorway modifications will enhance the appearance of the landmarked building and the lobby; and

WHEREAS, The Rockefeller Center buildings at 1230 and 1250 Avenue of the Americas (between 48th and 50th Street) also have marquees, which will remain in place for the immediate future, but the applicant intends to bring applications for 1230 and 1250 marquee and entrance modifications to the Board in the future since those additions or changes were also not original to the landmark; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to remove the marquee over the entryway to 1270 Avenue of the Americas and to replace the existing entryway doors at the building with new revolving and swing doors.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 21 in favor; 8 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, New York Public Library, Main Branch, 476 Fifth Avenue, between West 40th and West 42nd Streets, is a celebrated individual New York City Landmark famous throughout the world, designed in 1897 in a competition won by the architectural firm Carrere & Hastings and completed in 1911; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of a $100 million donation from Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Group, the Library has decided to name its main Fifth Avenue Landmark building the "Stephen A. Schwarzman Building" when its renovation is completed in 2014; and

WHEREAS, The Library has applied for approval to carve lettering with this name in five locations, as follows:

• Two carvings on the Fifth Avenue facade, one on either side of the main entrance stone support pedestals, in letters 1 1/2" by 2", in a 26" by 65" stone area;

• Two carvings on the 42nd Street facade, one on either side of the 42nd Street entrance at the two flanking curved stone pedestals, in letters 1" by 1 1/2";

• One carved medallion, with a diameter of 35" in the center circle of the floor rosette at the Fifth Avenue main entrance; and

WHEREAS, Although the style of lettering is consonant with other historic lettering and the attribution to the donor is deemed important by the Library, Community Board Five considers the number of carvings excessive and

unnecessarily intrusive to this iconic facade; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the Application from the New York Public Library for the five carved letterings in stone for its Donor Recognition Program, with the following exceptions:

• Approval of that portion of the Application that will permit carving in the stone floor rosette at the Fifth Avenue entrance to the Library.

• Approval of that portion of the Application that will permit carving in the two stone flanking pedestals at either side of the 42nd Street entrance to the Library.

WHEREAS, 60 Madison Avenue, known as the Neptune Building, constructed in 1909, between East 26th and East 27th Streets, is located in the Madison Square North Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner of this 200,000 sq. ft. office building has applied to renovate the storefronts; and

WHEREAS, The proposed storefront designs and materials are appropriate to the historical character of this building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the renovation of the storefronts at 60 Madison Avenue in accordance with the plans and designs presented by the Applicant. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 71 West 23rd Street, Masonic Hall, 23rd Street is a 19 story building constructed in 1909 and 1913, located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission notified the Applicant that there are four illegally placed flagpoles on the building, two on the West 23rd Street facade and two on the Avenue of the Americas facade; and

WHEREAS, Masonic Hall has applied to have these four flagpoles legalized; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has not supplied historic photographs or documentation to support the placement of the flagpoles on the building; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has had a general policy of not approving illegal additions to landmarked buildings in Historic Districts; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to legalize the four flagpoles at 71 West 23rd Street.

The above resolution passedby a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 123 West 44 Street, formerly the Hotel Girard, (now owned by Korman Hotels and operated as AKA United Nations Hotel, a long stay residential hotel) was built in 1894, designed by the architect, George Keister, in German Renaissance style , is an individually landmarked building; and

WHEREAS, The current owner is reconstructing the entire sidewalk in front of the hotel above an underground building vault at a reported cost of $1 million; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied to reconstruct the storefronts and entry to the building, none of which are original to the building, probably 1960's renovations; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has reviewed the proposed designs, materials (limestone, blackened stainless steel and glass), signage and lighting for the storefronts for the two restaurants, Cafe Un Deux Trois and Trattoria Dopo Teatro, which have been located there for many years, and the entrance (including a canopy with small LED lights) to the hotel; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has determined that the replaced facade elements are appropriate to the landmarked building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to replace the storefronts and building entrance as presented by the applicant at 123 West 44th Street. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 620 Avenue of the Americas (620 6th Avenue), the former Siegel Cooper Dry Goods Store, once the largest department store in New York City, covering over 15 acres of selling space, designed by Delemos and Cordes, architects, and built in 1895 -1899, is located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, This eclectic Beaux Arts store was built by a European trained firm for the entrepreneurs Henry Siegel and Frank Cooper, and once boasted an upper level entrance directly from the platform of 6th Avenue El,: and

WHEREAS, Siegel came from Chicago, where his attitudes towards marketing and retail had been shaped by his encounter with the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition which inspired him to use monumental architectural expression to attract customers to his store; and

WHEREAS, The prior owners of the building received approval in 1990 from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to construct a 110,000 sq. ft. occupy able rooftop addition plus rooftop mechanical additions which have never been built; and

WHEREAS, The current owner is applying for:

• a 70,000 sq. ft. occupy able rooftop addition plus rooftop mechanical additions;

• a new 13 story plus 3 story penthouse building infill addition at 30 West 19th Street, to contain a new 270 room hotel in a former parking lot; and

WHEREAS, The new rooftop additions will be less visible than the additions that the applicant already has approval to build; and

WHEREAS, The materials (masonry, metal and glass) and design of the new hotel addition are harmonious with the design of the existing building; and

WHEREAS, The 3 story penthouse addition will be set back 26 1/2 ' instead of the 15' required by Zoning, so that it will be less visible from the street; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for rooftop additions and the new 13 story plus 3 story penthouse building addition for a hotel, as detailed by the applicant at 620 Avenue of the Americas.

WHEREAS, 1170 Broadway and 12 West 28th Street are adjacent buildings under the same ownership, known as the Johnson Building, in the Madison Square North Historic District, built in 1902 and 1903; and

WHEREAS, The owner is applying for approval to construct a rooftop addition and renovate portions of the facade and inner courtyard; and

WHEREAS, The rooftop addition is primarily for enclosed mechanical and cooling equipment with a small "Event Space" and terrace for not more than 75 person occupancy, minimally visible from the street; and

WHEREAS, The applicant will reconstruct and restore the large, metal turret ornament at the corner of the rooftop; and

WHEREAS, The applicant will renovate the storefronts in a style similar to the original storefronts including awnings above the storefronts (as well as at the third floor of the building) which will be converted for use as a hotel; and

WHEREAS, The storefronts will use a combination of stone, glass, frosted glass transoms and metal panels reminiscent of the original building features as shown in historic photographs; and

WHEREAS, The inner courtyard will be improved with a glass skylight roof and painted in a historically faithful way; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to construct a rooftop addition, renovation of the storefronts and other facade elements and renovation of the inner courtyard, as presented by the applicant at 1170 Broadway and 12 West 28th Street. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining. 

WHEREAS, The Trust for Architectural Easements has requested approval of the Designation of the Garment District, an irregular area of approximately eighteen blocks, as a District to be listed on both the New York State and U.S. Department of the Interior Registers of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, The area of the proposed District would be roughly bounded by West 41st Street to the north, Broadway to the east and parts of the blocks just east of Broadway, West 35th Street to the south, parts of blocks south to West 34th Street, and to the west of Eighth Avenue, almost to Ninth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, Part of the District, which comprises some 260 buildings constructed in the two decades from 1916 to 1935, would be in Community Board 4, but most of it would be in Community Board 5; and

WHEREAS, The District will be approved unless 51% of the property owners in the proposed area object to the Designation; and

WHEREAS, The Designation of the District will not affect any property rights of owners to sell, renovate or even to demolish their buildings unless they elect to receive tax benefits through receiving either:

• 20% Tax Credits for the substantial renovation of qualifying properties for work performed that meets   Federal preservation standards, and/or

• The one-time Contribution Tax benefit for the Sale of a facade or exterior easement (based on the appraised value of the easement) to the Trust for Architectural Easements, which then becomes part of the property deed; and

WHEREAS, The listing honors the property by recognizing its importance to its community, state or the nation and raises the community's awareness of and pride in its past; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends approval of the Garment Center Historic District Designation (for the area set forth in a Map of the proposed district provided to the Community Board) which will permit all qualifying properties in that District to be placed on the New York State and Federal Registers of Historic Places and CB 5 will write a letter to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation indicating its support. 

WHEREAS, 220 West 57th Street, formerly the American Society of Civil Engineers ("ASCE") Clubhouse, now Lee's Art Shop, was built in 1897 to the designs (in the Francois I style) of the noted architect Cyrus L. W. Eidlitz who received many important commissions at the turn of the 20th Century, including the building that houses the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 42 West 44th Street, and the remaining shell of the former New York Bank for Savings at 280 Park Avenue South at the SW corner of East 22nd Street, now part of the Gramercy Place apartment building; and 

WHEREAS, The ASCE building was enlarged in 1905 when the ASCE again commissioned Eidlitz to design a contiguous two-bay western addition to accommodate their growing membership; and

WHEREAS, ASCE was founded in New York City in 1852 and its move from a series of small buildings to this elegant four-story brick and limestone clad building was widely anticipated across the country, according to a contemporary account in the New York Times; and

WHEREAS, The building provided many amenities to the ASCE membership including a lounge, offices, a 400 seat auditorium, a library on the second floor intended for use by civil engineering students, until 1916 when ASCE moved to the Engineering Societies Building, 33 East 39th Street, after which several companies shared the building; Schrafft's, a once popular restaurant chain, occupied the ground floor from 1928 to 1974; since that time Lee's Art Shop has occupied the ground floor and expanded recently to the upper floors and uncovered an ornamental ceiling during renovations; and

WHEREAS, The design of the building has been praised as "balanced, dignified and harmonious" especially as it relates to the 1892 Henry J. Hardenburgh-designed, Landmarked American Fine Arts Society Building, now the Art Students League, across West 57th Street; and

WHEREAS, These two buildings are the only two low-scale buildings remaining on West 57th Street between Seventh Avenue and Broadway; West 57th Street has lost many of its low-scale buildings which have been demolished in recent years to provide sites for high-rise developments; and

WHEREAS, Other than alterations at the ground floor, the ASCE Clubhouse is a remarkably well-preserved building with a rich historical, architectural and cultural heritage, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the designation of the American Society of Civil Engineers Clubhouse, 220 West 57 Street, as an individual Landmark. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining. 

WHEREAS, The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") has been requested to provide a Report to the New York City Department of City Planning ("DCP") pursuant to Section 74-711 of the Zoning Resolution to facilitate the transfer of approximately 275,000 square feet of floor area from 678 Fifth Avenue (St. Thomas Church) to a development site located at 53 West 53rd Street going through-block to West 54th Street; and

WHEREAS, LPC has been requested to provide a second report to DCP pursuant to Section 74-79 of the Zoning Resolution to facilitate the transfer of approximately 136,000 square feet of floor area from 1 West 54 Street (The University Club) to a development site located at 53 West 53rd Street going through-block to West 54th Street; and

WHEREAS, The receiving Development site, 53 West 53 Street, contains 210,238 square feet of available floor area, which will be supplemented by another 7,000 square feet of available floor area from the existing Museum of Modern Art ("MoMA") to be used for the Connector Building; and

WHEREAS, The grand total of  628,238 square feet for the proposed new Mid Block development would result in a 75 story 1,155 ft. high eccentric, asymmetrical tower according to designs prepared by the celebrated French architect, Jean Nouvel, for the Developer, Hines; and

WHEREAS, The proposed tower at 1,155 ft. would be higher than the Chrysler Building's 1,047 ft., and just under the height of the Bank of America's 1,200 ft. tower nearing completion, and the Empire State Building at 1,250 ft., ranking it as the third tallest building in New York City if it were built; and

WHEREAS, Unlike all the other buildings cited above and some other towers of comparable height (New York Times Building 1,046 ft., including a mast on top of the building proper; Citicorp. 915 ft. and Trump World Tower 861 ft.), the proposed building, to be known as Tower Verre, will not be either on a wide avenue or major, wide crosstown street and will not occupy a full avenue blockfront; and

WHEREAS, The Developer has not provided a written preservation plan and independent Shadow Studies, as requested by the Committee, which are imperative in order to assess if there is an adequate preservation plan in place and for LPC to Report whether

• The new tower will "relate harmoniously to the subject landmark buildings" pursuant to Sect. 74-711 (a) (2) including the stained glass windows of St. Thomas Church which face west to the Development site,
• There will be a "minimal adverse effects on the structures or open space in the vicinity in terms of scale, location and access to light and air" pursuant to Sect. 74-711 (b) (2), namely:
• 5 West 54 Street, the Landmarked Starr Mansion
• 7 West 54 Street, the Landmarked Lehman Mansion
• 9-11 West 54 Street, the Landmarked Goodwin Mansion
• 13-15 West 54 Street, the Landmarked Rockefeller Mansion
• 17 West 54 Street, the Landmarked Rockefeller Apartments
• MoMA Sculpture Garden, not a Landmark, but an eventual candidate for Scenic Landmarking, very likely the most adversely affected open space in the vicinity of the proposed tower,
• 51 West 52 Street, the Landmarked CBS Building
• There will be an "adverse affect (to) adjacent buildings ... by unduly restricting light and air to surrounding streets and properties" pursuant Sect. 74-721 (a) (3); and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, with respect to the University Club transfer of air rights, Sect. 74-79 requires adherence to the regulations of Sect. 74-792 of the Zoning Resolution which states:

(e)    "As a condition of permitting such transfers of development rights, the Commission shall make the following findings: (1) that the permitted transfer of floor area or variations in the front height or setback regulations will not unduly increase the bulk of any new development, density of population or intensity of use in any block to the detriment of the occupants of buildings on the block or nearby blocks and any disadvantages to the surrounding area caused by reduced access of light and air will be more than offset by the advantages of the Landmark's preservation to the local community and the City as a whole;

"The Commission (City Planning Commission) shall give due consideration to the relationship between the landmark building and any new building developed on the adjacent lot regarding materials, design, scale and location of bulk.

"The Commission may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to minimize adverse effects on the character of the surrounding area"; and

WHEREAS, Not only the properties set forth in point 2) hereinabove may be adversely affected by the proposed new tower, but other low and mid-rise buildings, many of them historic but not Landmarked, will also be affected, and

WHEREAS, The Zoning Resolution contemplates that the private burden of ownership of a landmark property may be offset by the benefit of a sale of development rights, and the public burden of a new building of higher density is alleviated by the continued existence and maintenance of a landmark, and further that these benefits and burdens bear some reasonable relationship to each other; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five values the University Club and St. Thomas Church, notes that both are currently in good condition and is pleased to see ongoing maintenance plans, however, the proposed development rights transfer is expected to total over 400,000 square feet and result in a building triple the size of one built without development rights, thereby creating a public burden that far exceeds any public benefits; and

WHEREAS, Any new construction of the magnitude proposed would constitute a major disruption in traffic flow, an impediment to emergency vehicles, cause noise, contribute to air pollution, create problems for removal of construction debris on narrow cross-town streets, preventing access to, and the quiet, safe enjoyment of, the Landmarked properties; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five urges the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to issue two Reports to the New York City Department of City Planning recommending DENIAL of BOTH:

• the transfer of 275,000 square feet of Air Rights from 678 Fifth Avenue (St. Thomas Church) under Sect. 74-711 of the Zoning Resolution to the development site located at 53 West 53rd Street, and
• the transfer of 136,000 square feet of Air Rights from 1 West 54 Street (The University Club) under Sect. 74-79 of the Zoning Resolution, to a Development site located at 53 West 53 Street. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 1 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Rockefeller Center is an individual Landmark that includes Rockefeller Plaza and the Channel Gardens, and Rockefeller Center is considered "(A)n island of architectural excellence ... the greatest urban complex of the 20th Century; an understated and urbane place that has become a classic lesson in the point and counterpoint of  space, form, and circulation"; and

WHEREAS, The owner of Rockefeller Center, RCPI Landmark Properties, LLC, has filed an Application with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC") seeking Approval of the continued siting of the three existing "Top of the Rock" Ticket Kiosks on a permanent basis in the Plaza and Channel Gardens area; and

WHEREAS, These Ticket Kiosks were approved on a temporary basis pursuant to an amended Certificate of No Effect issued December 4, 2006, without coming before Community Board 5 and without a Public Hearing held by LPC; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant is seeking permanent approval for these three kiosks, with its application stating that they are freestanding and serviced by existing electrical and telecommunications plug-in connections; as such, the Ticket Kiosks can be moved, as is the practice, when major events are held on the Plaza; and

WHEREAS, The primary purpose of the Ticket Kiosks is to serve as a venue for the sale of tickets for "The Top of the Rock" and is reported by the applicant to process 1/3 of the tickets sold, and

WHEREAS, Tickets to the "Top of the Rock" can be purchased alternatively at a ticket office at 30 Rockefeller Plaza or online; and

WHEREAS, The Ticket Kiosks themselves, the LED lights and signage on the kiosks are intrusive and not original to the historical design of the Landmark; and

WHEREAS, The Ticket Kiosks are considered an inappropriate element in the Plaza area serving primarily to promote the commercial interests of the applicant; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board 5 recommends that the LPC deny the application for Approval of the permanent placement of the existing Ticket Kiosks for “Top of the Rock” on the center block of Rockefeller Plaza and in the Channel Gardens. 

The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 15 East 17th St., on the north side of the street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway,  is a six-story, 25 foot wide Beaux Arts store and loft building, designed by Cleverdon & Putzel, Architects, built in 1898-1899, and is located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The new tenant for the 20 foot storefront, a Thai restaurant, is applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness to modify the storefront and certain other elements of the ground floor; and

WHEREAS, This tenant replaces a previous tenant, a Check Cashing business, which had unsightly and inappropriate signage that has been removed; and

WHEREAS, The proposal includes:

• Installation of painted wooden doors, moldings and window frames similar in details to those found on the upper floors of the building;
• The only signage is to be back painted onto the window glass;
• No lighting fixtures on the exterior of the building;
• During renovations a vertical cast iron pier was exposed which is believed to be original to the building and it will be incorporated into the new design;
• Restoration of a polished granite base on the easterly side of the building, and if further investigation indicates that there is a corresponding  base on the westerly side, that will be restored as well;
• ADA compliance for the entrance doorways to the restaurant and the building;
• No gates, awnings or canopies; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to provide historical photographs to Community Board Five before any work is done on the building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed restoration and renovation is harmonious with the appearance of the building so that there would be a benefit to the entire district; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness to modify the existing storefront, as proposed. 

WHEREAS, 24 East 21st St., on the south side of the street between Broadway and Park Avenue South, is a nine-story, 50 foot wide neo-Renaissance store and office building, designed by Frederick C. Zobel,  Architect, built in 1903-1904, and is located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner converted the upper eight floors into condominiums in 2006 and has now applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install new storefront infill and lighting and to restore and renovate other significant elements at this building including replacement of portions of the non-historic sidewalk and removal of planters in front of the building; and

WHEREAS, The proposal includes:

• Removal of the sidewalk planters (Not mentioned in the Summary provided to Community Board Five);
• Removal of slate and pavers in the sidewalk and replacement and repair of sidewalk with a uniform, matching sidewalk in front of the building, extending to the front entrance door (Not mentioned in the Summary provided to Community Board Five);
• New wood spandrels above the two storefronts, painted black to match the other building window elements;
• Two new painted wood doors at the easterly storefront and one new door at the westerly storefront.
• Removal of a half-wall and replacement by a new pipe rail at the westerly side of the building for basement access;
• Two new lighting fixtures at the front entry door measuring 14 1/2" X  7 3/4" X 5" deep, in a design as shown to Community Board Five in a rendering; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to provide historical photographs to Community Board Five before any decorative work is to be done on the wooden spandrels; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed not to install any awnings, canopies or exterior gates at the storefronts; and

WHEREAS, The proposed restoration and renovation is harmonious with the appearance of the building so that there would be a benefit to the entire district; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for the restoration and improvements to install new storefront infill and lighting, as proposed. 

WHEREAS, On Monday January 7th, 2007,  members of the public appeared before Community Board Five’s Landmarks Committee seeking support in their effort to designate, as an individual landmark, the townhouse building at 41 West 54th Street, located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues; and

WHEREAS, This townhouse was singled out in the 1979 Midtown West Survey and recommended to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for designation, although no action was taken at that time, and it is located in the Special Midtown Preservation Subdistrict; and

 WHEREAS, It has a broad double doorway, balconies and 2 tiers of casements which compose a projecting bay, flanked by subtly canted rusticated piers.  There is some delicate relief carving on the balconies.  Over the two round arched dormers is a simple mansard roof which has been carefully restored and stands out from the ordinary buildings that surround it; and

WHEREAS, It was completed as a single family residence in October 1878 as part of a five brownstone development by speculative designer and developer James G. Lynd and Brothers.  It was originally in the Neo Grecian style and was recessed from its lot line with access via a stoop; and

WHEREAS, The building’s current Beaux Art style façade was built in 1909 by architects Foster, Gade & Graham. They were also the architects of The John H. and Caroline Iselin House at 59 East 79 Street which was designated a landmark in 1981. The architects also designed a one story addition to the Joseph Pulitzer house in 1904 (later the Tiffany Building, East 37th and Fifth Avenue, now demolished) and the Romanesque 237 East 123 Street, originally Our Saviour Norwegian Lutheran Church in 1911; and

WHEREAS, This townhouse is deemed to have significant historical, cultural and architectural importance; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends that the townhouse building at 41 West 54th Street be designated as an individual landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, On Monday January 7th 2008, concerned members of the public appeared before Community Board Five’s Landmarks Committee seeking support for their effort to designate, as an individual landmark, the townhouse building at 46 West 55th Street, located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues; and

WHEREAS, The building, commissioned by John W. Stevens and Brother and designed by architect Thomas Thomas, is one of a five townhouse development, dating from 1869, and is among the earliest structures on the block; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas was born and trained as an architect in England.  He came to New York as a young man and, with 10 other architects, formed The National Institute of Architecture, the precursor of today’s AIA, the American Institute of Architects.  Thomas also collaborated on the design of St. Peter’s Church from 1836-1840 on Broadway between Barclay and Vesey Streets but most of his work was on private residences for well known people of the period; and

WHEREAS, In 1903 Mr. J.H. Bissell, who owned the house, commissioned renowned architect Edward L. Tilton and his partner to design the classic period brick and limestone Beaux Arts façade that exists today. Tilton is also well known for designing over 100 of the Carnegie Libraries as well as the Main building, the Kitchen & Laundry Buildings, the Main Powerhouse and the Main Hospital on Ellis Island; and

WHEREAS, this neighborhood was a fashionable address for Manhattan’s banking elite and other prominent families; and

WHEREAS, this building is deemed to have significant historical, cultural and architectural importance; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends that the townhouse building at 46 West 55th Street be designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an individual landmark.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The owner of 703 Fifth Avenue, the St. Regis Hotel, has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install new storefront infill at this designated individual landmark; and

WHEREAS, The proposal is to alter signage, change window glass and replace entrance doors on the Fifth Avenue side of the building where the DeBeers retail store is located; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five approved the existing design March 11, 2004 when DeBeers became the tenant after Louis Vuitton vacated the space; and

WHEREAS, The proposed design is harmonious with the appearance of the landmarked building, so that there will be a consistent appearance; and

WHEREAS, The double entrance doors will be replaced with a single glass entrance door, easier to operate, and coordinated with an all-glass small vestibule inside the store to eliminate a wind-tunnel affect when the door opens, also providing better visibility into the store; and

WHEREAS, The DeBeers logo above the door will be removed and the limestone will be repaired where the logo was affixed and the DeBeers name in polished steel will be placed in the glass above the door, thereby further providing consistency with the DeBeers name above each of the two adjacent bays; and

WHEREAS, The signature DeBeers etched glass in the two bays will be replaced by clear glass permitting greater visibility into the store; and

WHEREAS, The resulting storefront will be of minimalist style with a glass front containing signage that is within the maximum size allowed; and

WHEREAS, The choice of materials is similar to the existing materials with the exception of the narrow polished steel band used to frame the new  entrance door instead of a more unobtrusive framing material; and

WHEREAS, The original character of the building has been compromised over the years and this proposal, although not in keeping with the original exterior design of the building, does not further detract from that character since it is consistent with the neighboring storefront designs; and

WHEREAS, The proposed design is similar to other Fifth Avenue boutiques in the surrounding area; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That, with the exception of the narrow polished steel frame around the new entrance door, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for new storefront infill at 703 Fifth Avenue.

 The above resolution passed by a vote of 27 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 1186 Broadway, a 344 room hotel, designed by Clinton and Russell (Architects known for designing the Astor Hotel, Apthorp Apartments and the NY Cocoa Exchange), is located at the southeast corner of West 29 Street in the Madison Square North Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish non-historic storefronts and to restore and renovate other significant elements at this building; and

WHEREAS, This hotel, built in 1904, was once an important part of a major New York City entertainment district (which included the original Tin Pan Alley on West 28 Street and Broadway) consisting of hotels, luxury stores and apartments in a period - from the 1870s to the 1910s - when this area prospered; and

WHEREAS, in its heyday many important historical figures stayed at the hotel including Diamond Jim Brady, Joe Louis, Billy Conn and W. E. B. Dubois; and

WHEREAS, After many years of decline the area is rapidly improving and the owners are planning to restore the hotel to reflect its original design and character; and

WHEREAS, The proposal is to:

• Restore the West 29 Street entrance and stone surrounding;
• Install new infill and a new marquee at the Broadway entrance using cast stone to replicate the existing original limestone;
• Establish a master plan for new storefront infill (including the replacement of the non-historic storefronts on both West 29 Street and Broadway) which, while not in conformity with the original building which had no storefronts and has been completely obliterated, would be a distinct improvement over the existing condition of obtrusive commercial storefronts and signage;
• Install new lighting and signage, reminiscent of the original period when the hotel was built;
• Install new mechanical equipment on the roof consisting of an emergency generator and a cooling tower, not higher than 13 feet, which would be only slightly visible from West 32 Street, some three blocks away;
• Install window replacements throughout the building with wood frame windows.

WHEREAS, Photographs show the American flag being flown from the rooftop flagpole at Broadway and West 29th, and the owners have agreed to fly the American flag at appropriate times; and

WHEREAS, The proposed restoration and renovation is harmonious with the appearance of the Historic District, so that there would be a benefit to the entire district; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for the restoration and improvements as proposed. 

 Tne above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 16 West 21st Street, on the south side of the street, between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, is a two-story, garage building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, built in 1942, and is a "No-Style" Non-Contributing building within the District; and

WHEREAS, The owner of the property is seeking approval to demolish the garage building (which at times was occupied by different nuisance nightclub establishments such as VIA) and is a non-contributing building; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is seeking approval to construct a new 14-story residential condominium building containing 12 residential units; and

WHEREAS, The new building will contain 20,252 sq. ft., which is less than the allowable 10 FAR 23,000 sq.ft., to comply with the Landmarks Commission requirement that it not exceed the height of the lower of the two adjacent buildings, or 14 stories, and

WHEREAS, The new building would have an innovative, non-obtrusive all glass block facade with half circle glass pilasters, which is clearly a departure from the historical facade materials found in the District but nevertheless is harmonious with the other buildings in the area; and

WHEREAS, It was not the intention of the architect to copy historical buildings, but to create a compatible modern design using elements and materials in a very conservative, subdued approach to the new facade; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the demolition of the existing 2- story garage building and the construction of the new 14-story residential building AT 16 West 21st street as proposed.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstention.

WHEREAS, 52 West 21st Street is five-story, commercial loft building located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, built in 1862, altered in 1911 by the addition of a new cast iron façade; and

WHEREAS, The applicant would like to renovate and change the use of the upper floors from commercial to residential, and

WHEREAS, The applicant has conducted probes of the facade at the recommendation of the Landmarks Committee of CB 5, with the consent of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Staff, yet failed to provide sufficient detail regarding elements of the plans, such as:

• materials to be used to replicate the prior cast iron horizontal panels between floors (rather than alternatively replacing the cast iron with Terra Cotta tiles)
• evidence that any decorative ornamental cast iron would be appropriate to the district/period
• type and operation of replacement widows on the upper floors and specifications and details  in the windows of child safety guards proposed to be installed
• proposed design for the building parapet, and

WHEREAS, certain elements of the existing building facade are not appropriate to the district and are not being addressed at this time, such as;

• a box-shaped awning with signage, rather than a sloping awning with signage on the apron of the awning and
• an existing all glass first-floor store front, out of character in the Historic District;

 Therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that the Landmarks Committee recommends denial of the application to renovate the building and to secure a Certificate of Occupancy for the commercial and residential uses at 52 West 21st Street.

WHEREAS, New York Public Library, Main Branch, 476 Fifth Avenue, between West 40th and West 42nd Streets, is a celebrated individual New York City Landmark famous throughout the world, designed in 1897 in a competition won by the architectural firm, Carrere & Hastings; and

WHEREAS, The Library is applying for approval of the construction of a penthouse addition on the northerly side of the rooftop to house new heating and cooling mechanical equipment; and

WHEREAS, This approval is required to replace the malfunctioning HVAC equipment at the top of the building, which is leaking to the rooms directly below; and

WHEREAS, These rooms contain rare documents and book archives that are endangered by the existing conditions; and

WHEREAS, At the request of the Landmarks Commission a mockup of the proposed penthouse has been constructed on the roof of the Library and is not visible from the street, and

WHEREAS, Approximately five years ago the Library obtained approval for a similar penthouse addition, as is now being proposed, that was constructed on the southerly side of the building rooftop; and

WHEREAS, The new, proposed rooftop addition will mimic the southerly penthouse and will provide symmetry to the Library's exterior since it will have an identical appearance when viewed looking down from higher surrounding buildings; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for the penthouse addition to contain HVAC equipment on the north side (with no interior alterations or restoration work to be performed - as initially indicated to CB 5 - other than the work necessary in connection with the new construction).

The above resolution passed by a vote of 23 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstentions; 2 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 600 Fifth Avenue (between 48th and 49th Streets) and 1 Rockefeller Plaza (between 48th and 49th Streets) have made an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to install storefront infill and modify certain signage, and since both buildings are adjacent individual landmarks in Rockefeller Center, the Board determined to treat the two applications together; and

WHEREAS, On the 49th Street side of 600 Fifth Avenue, the north façade and the western return of the façade will be modified as follows:

• removing the existing bronze signage panel over the storefront and replacing the doorway with a bronze revolving door and two ADA-compliant swing doors; and
• installing two new storefront windows and a new window on the western façade and removing the non-original, illuminated sign boxes above the windows and installing over each of the three windows, a new black-back painted glass sign band with bronze letters matching other typical Rockefeller Center storefronts, while maintaining the existing outer bronze frame and sill; and

WHEREAS, On the 48th Street side of 600 Fifth Avenue, the storefront at the western end of the façade will be modified as follows:

• installing over the storefront, a new black-back painted glass sign band with bronze letters matching other typical Rockefeller Center storefronts, while maintaining the existing side windows and the outer bronze frame and sill and the original storefront planters; and
• replacing the existing window above the doorway with a window and frame to match the existing windows on each side of the storefront; and

WHEREAS, On the 48th Street side of 1 Rockefeller Plaza, the storefront at the eastern end of the façade will be modified as follows:

• replacing the existing all glass storefront door with a new bronze and glass door similar to the storefront doors throughout Rockefeller Center; and
• replacing the existing street level divided window with a new single window and frame to match the existing windows at 1 Rockefeller Plaza; and
• installing over the storefront and the street level window, a new black-back painted glass sign band with bronze letters matching other typical Rockefeller Center storefronts, while maintaining the existing glass windows over the new signage; and

WHEREAS, The proposed changes to the storefronts, signage, and windows at 600 Fifth Avenue and 1 Rockefeller Plaza are similar to and harmonious with the existing storefronts, signage, and windows in Rockefeller Center and such changes improve the façades of 600 Fifth Avenue and 1 Rockefeller Plaza; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for the modification of certain of the storefronts, signage, and windows at 600 Fifth Avenue and 1 Rockefeller Plaza.

WHEREAS, 3 East 18th Street, aka 109-111 Fifth Avenue in the Ladies Mile Historic District is a neo-Renaissance style loft building designed by William Schickel & Co. and built in 1894-95; and

 WHEREAS, The applicant, Daffy’s (The bargain store for millionaires), was a tenant of the entire retail space for two decades and had two flagpoles and banners which still remain at the corner of the building, one located on 5th Avenue, and one located on W 18th Street; and

 WHEREAS, In 2006, Daffy’s vacated the westernmost part of the space and relocated its retail activity to the easternmost part of the space; and

 WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing to install a flagpole and a banner to be located over the new entrance of the store in the middle of the 18th Street façade; and WHEREAS, The flagpole would be affixed onto the 2nd floor window frame and would not induce stone penetration; and

 WHEREAS, The banner would be no larger than the Daffy’s previously existing banner and the new flagpole would be at the same angle as the remaining two flagpoles at the corner of the building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That despite discouragement from the Landmarks Preservation on new banners and flagpoles attached to buildings on side streets in the Ladies Mile Historic District, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a flagpole and banner at 3 East 18th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 19 in favor; 5 opposed; 6 abstentions.

WHEREAS, 12 West 27 Street, located in the Madison Square North Historic District (created June 26, 2001) is a 17-story classical New York City loft building; and

WHEREAS, The owner replaced the existing storefront at the time of designation with a new one, without getting the approval of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission ("LPC"); and

WHEREAS, the owner claims that there was an "emergency situation" that required removing the signage and the storefront; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that plywood or some other temporary material could have been placed over the storefront until the owner obtained proper approvals for a new storefront from LPC; and

WHEREAS, The storefront installed by the owner is amodern, bland, generic design neither in keeping with the character of the building nor the Historic District; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for approval of the new storefront at 12 West 27th Street.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstention.

WHEREAS, 75 Fifth Avenue (between 16th and 17th Streets), located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, is a Beaux-Arts loft building dating from around 1906; and

WHEREAS, A new commercial tenant proposed to replace a historically inappropriate storefront entry way with a design previously approved by the LPC and implemented on the adjacent (Citibank) entry; and

WHEREAS, LPC has already approved the design and the applicant retroactively presented to CB5 at the request of the "Drive to Protect the Ladies' Mile Historic District"; and 

WHEREAS, The applicant reduced the size of the non-illuminated blade sign in response to LPC comments; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five  recommends approval of this application for a new storefront entry way at 79 Fifth Avenue, with the understanding that the applicant will seek necessary community reviews in the future.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstention.

WHEREAS, 130 West 42 Street, aka 135 West 41 Street, is an individually Landmarked Building dating from 1916 - 1918, designed by the architectural firm Helmle & Corbett in the"traditional" early skyscraper style with an "English" Gothic appearance. On the side facades, trompe l'oeil brickwork creates vertical "ribs" with a fake "shade" pattern to enhance the verticality. The windows are concentrated to the north and south facades, as well as to a recessed mid-facade light-well on the east façade; and

WHEREAS, The owners of the building are applying to create 60 new window openings, and to modify the entrance way and storefronts on West 42 Street, .but are not applying to demolish a one-story rooftop addition on the south wing, and construct a new rooftop addition (as originally proposed); and

WHEREAS, Prior to its designation as a Landmark, several irregularly placed windows were added to the building on the east and west side facades and a granite double story entrance way replaced the original limestone entrance way, and storefronts and the lobby were relocated; and

WHEREAS, The proposed redesigned double story entrance way and storefronts were in a very modern, all glass design, not reflective of the original architectural design as shown in historical photographs, (although the removal of the later granite materials and replacement with limestone would be an improvement over the existing condition and materials); and

WHEREAS, A representative of the applicant appeared at Community Board Five's Meeting on November 8, 2007 with a modification of the all glass design, but the applicant did not give the Board adequate time to review this revised proposal for the redesign of the West 42 St. two story entrance way and storefronts; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is now proposing to change the appearance of the east and west facades of the building by the addition of 60 new windows, and by incorporating or relocating some of the existing irregularly placed windows on these facades in a pattern of four windows per floor on each side of the building; and

WHEREAS, Although the applicant proposes to use the original building bricks removed in this process (if the 60 window addition were to be approved by LPC) to patch any damaged bricks or window openings that may be shifted to line up with the new windows; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for the new two-story entrance way and storefronts and the addition of 60 new windows on the east and west facades of the building at 130 West 42 Street, aka 135 West 41 Street since the designs submitted are not in keeping with the original historical or architectural style of the building.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 26 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention, 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, On Tuesday October 2, 2007, concerned members of the public appeared before Community Board Five at our Landmarks Committee meeting seeking support in the effort to designate as an individual landmark the building at 401 Seventh Avenue, located between West 32nd and West 33rd Streets, known as the Hotel Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, A subcommittee was formed in order to research and evaluate the history and worthiness of the building, and the potential to designate this as a historic landmark, so that this could be reported back to the committee at our meeting on Tuesday October 30, 2007; and

WHEREAS, In 1917, the prominent architectural firm of McKim Mead & White was commissioned to design and construct a hotel to accommodate the passengers of the Pennsylvania Railroad; and

WHEREAS, The firm of McKim Mead & White is credited as the creator of such renowned architecture as the Washington Square Arch (1889), the second Madison Square Garden, at Madison Square (1890), the Cable Building at 611 Broadway (1892), the Morningside Heights campus of Columbia University (1893), the Bowery Savings Bank’s first headquarters (1893), the New York Herald Building (1894), the University Club (1899), the Pierpont Morgan Library (1903), the Manhattan Municipal Building (1909-1915), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1911), the James A. Farley Building – New York City’s General Post Office, (1912-1914) and New York’s Pennsylvania Station, constructed between 1904 through 1910; and

WHEREAS, Despite being known for its Beaux Arts architecture at the turn of the 20th century, the firm remained active into the 1960's, long after the founders had passed away, one of their last works being the design of the prominent National Museum of American History in Washington DC, which opened in 1964; and

WHEREAS, The chief designer of the hotel is the architect William Symmes Richardson, who also helped design the Pennsylvania Station, as well as the National City Bank Building in New York, the Girard Trust Company Building in Philadelphia and the Bank of Montreal, Canada. Mr. Richardson had joined the firm of McKim Mead & White in 1906, and remained a working architect until about 1925; and

WHEREAS, The renowned hotelier Ellsworth Statler – who was later named by the American Hotel Association as “Hotel Man of the Century” – was contracted to manage this property. When The Statler Hotel Pennsylvania opened its doors in 1919, it was considered to be the largest hotel in the world. The original hotel had 2,200 bathrooms, 3,537 beds and the world’s first “high rise” elevators. Statler remained involved with the hotel for many years and eventually purchased this altogether in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Through the 1930's and 1940's the hotel’s Café Rouge was considered to be one of the most popular nightclubs in New York. Among the big bands that performed here were Duke Ellington, Count Basie, the Dorsey Brothers, and most notably the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The hotel’s phone number, Pennsylvania 6-5000, is immortalized in their hit tune, and is New York’s longest continually used telephone number. It remains the same to this day; and

WHEREAS, After 1954, when the Statler Company merged into Hilton Hotel Corporation, the property has had several owners, and several names. Statler’s name remained on the hotel until 1983, when this was renamed The New York Penta Hotel. The original historic name Hotel Pennsylvania reappeared in the 1990's; and

WHEREAS, There has been restorative work performed to the hotel in the mid 1980's and at the early part of this century; and

WHEREAS, Hotel Pennsylvania is bounded on the west by Seventh Avenue and on the north and south by West 33rd Street and West 32nd Street respectively. The building was erected on a site measuring 200’ X 400’. There are 22 floors from street level to roof, including three levels in the penthouse. On the ground floor there are lobby entrances from West 32nd Street and West 33rd Streets to the lobby, and a ballroom entrance on West 33rd Street; and

WHEREAS, The base of the building is constructed of Indiana Limestone with Milford Pink Granite at the grade levels. Much of this has been painted over. The rusticated stone façade is punctuated by a series of pilasters, the predominant number of these having scrolled capitals. At the Seventh Avenue entrance to the hotel, there are six massive stone columns capped by an ornate stone balustrade; and

WHEREAS, In between the windows of the first two floors there are several Rosso Levanto Marble decorative spandrels, many of the third floor windows appear to be original, with ornamental metal framing, six paned over six, in matching pairs. Windows from the fourth floor and above are predominantly one over one, there is stone dentil course between floors three and four; and

WHEREAS, Above the fourth floor there is a pronounced setback in the overall structure. Rising from the limestone base, the majority of the building is constructed of tan colored brick. At West 32nd Street, the building forms four individual towers partially conjoined at the building’s center. These were constructed to maximize the exposure to sunlight and airflow. At West 33rd Street the two central towers are fully conjoined; and

WHEREAS, The façades above the 17th Floor are heavily ornamented in stone and terra cotta, including fluted pilasters and a massive ornamental limestone cornice. The penthouse structures above appear to be habitable space at the Seventh Avenue side of the building, and for mechanical usage at the east; and

WHEREAS, As it is today, boasting 1,700 hotel rooms and approximately 500,000 square feet, Hotel Pennsylvania is New York’s fourth largest hotel; and

WHEREAS, In 1998 Vornado Realty Trust entered into an agreement to increase its interest in the Hotel Pennsylvania from 40% to 80, and then in 1999, by acquiring Planet Hollywood International’s 20% interest in the hotel, Vornado owned this outright, and in connection with the 1999 transaction, Vornado also terminated the licensing agreement with Planet Hollywood for an Official All-Star Hotel; and

WHEREAS, Demolition plans have been announced for the hotel and a 2,500,000 square foot office tower will be built by 2011 on its site, a building of this size would have significantly more square footage than The Empire State Building, although this may not be as tall; and

WHEREAS, Upon evaluation of the information pertaining to the architecture and rich cultural history of the hotel, during Community Board Five’s October 30th Landmarks Committee meeting, the subcommittee voiced opinions both in favor and against designation; and

WHEREAS, After hearing opinions both in favor and against designation, the committee voted to recommend in favor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five strongly RECOMMENDS DESIGNATION as an individual landmark, the building at 401 Seventh Avenue, known as the Hotel Pennsylvania.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 21 in favor; 8 opposed; 1 abstention, 2 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 3 East 17th Street is located on the north side of 17th Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The building was constructed in 1904 as a nine-story building and the top seven floors were demolished around 1941; and

WHEREAS, The present two-story building has a retail tenant for the ground floor and has a single residence on the second floor; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has been unable to locate a photograph showing the original storefront; and

WHEREAS, The existing storefront of black anodized aluminum was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1998; and

WHEREAS, The existing entrances to the retail space and the residential space are located side-by-side at the eastern-most portion of the storefront and are recessed from the street wall; and

WHEREAS, The proposed storefront would include a fixed awning made of deep purple fabric with the name of the retail tenant on the skirt; and

WHEREAS, The proposed storefront would be constructed of clear anodized aluminum and clear glass, extending to the full height of the top of the awning, with a perforated aluminum grill on the lower portion of the storefront and with acrylic and steel handles; and

WHEREAS, The proposed storefront would relocate the retail space entrance to the center of the retail space, with such entrance recessed from the street wall, resulting in jigsawed storefront with separate indentations from the street wall for the retail and residential entrances; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has represented to Community Board Five that at this time there will be no security gate installed, no signage on either the slope of the awning or on the building façade and incandescent lighting will be used on displays behind the glass of the storefront; and

WHEREAS, The materials and configuration of the proposed storefront do not serve the architecture of the building and are not appropriate for the Ladies’ Mile; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes the building would benefit from a less jagged and less conspicuous façade constructed of more traditional materials; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to replace the storefront at 3 East 17th Street.

The above resolution recommending denial by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, The application is for a Certificate of Appropriateness to restore the ground floor storefront for 25 East 21st Street in the Ladies' Mile Historic District in connection with a 74-711 Zoning Change; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is also applying for a Certificate of No Affect to replace non-historic ground floor doors and light fixtures, clean, repair, repoint and restore masonry and trim on the facade, restore sash and masonry window openings at the side facade, adopt rear and side window master plan; and

WHEREAS, The applicant will adopt a Landmarks Maintenance Plan satisfactory to LPC; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is not increasing the building bulk; and

WHEREAS, The building has been altered and modified many times in the past and the proposed restoration work is deemed to have minimal affect on the landmarked property; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the requested Certificate of Appropriateness and Certificate of No Affect.

The above resolution recommending approval by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, 136 Fifth Avenue is a remnant of a four-story row house in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District built in 1850, altered in 1982, converted for commercial use from 1900 to 1950 and altered to its current form in 2006; and

WHEREAS, The top two stories of the building were destroyed by fire in 1960 and the lower remaining stories are now occupied by White House Black Market, a retail store; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, White House Black Market, came to CB5 in July 2006 for approval of the existing façade; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, White House Black Market, is now seeking permission to install an illuminated sign on the façade; and

WHEREAS, The proposed sign would be 19 inches high and would be illuminated with LED; and

WHEREAS, The Landmarks rules established in 2002 stipulates that bracket signs illuminated with LED lighting is not appropriate for the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The Landmark rule stipulates that the bracket sign rule encompasses signage in Chapter 2, section 20, paragraph b : “ In addition, a bracket sign may consist solely of an outline of a shape and/or letters intended to act as a symbol or sign for the establishment; and

WHEREAS, The sign itself is deemed too large and not in keeping with the historic fabric of the neighborhood; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install an illuminated sign, White House Black Market, on the facade at 136 Fifth Avenue, in the Ladies Mile historic district.

The above resolution recommending denial by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, The application is to replace windows at 174-176 Fifth Avenue, in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The building  is a six story early 20th century commercial store and loft building located between West 22nd & West 23rd Streets (West Side), built in 1927-28 for the Connell Holding Company; and

WHEREAS, The existing windows are wood-framed single-pane sash in a tripartite format with wood mullions known as “Chicago style windows”; and

WHEREAS, the central pane windows pivot around a vertical axis in a mechanism that is typical of commercial loft buildings of early 20th century in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to relocate the air conditioning units in a continuous pattern and to replace the windows with non pivoting aluminum windows; and

WHEREAS, The loss of wood windows with a pivoting mechanism would be a great loss to the historic fabric of the Ladies Mile Historic District; therefore be it

RESOLVED that Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to replace wood windows with non-pivoting aluminum windows at 174 Fifth Avenue in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution recommending denial by a vote of 22 in favor; 10 opposed; 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, The I. Miller Shoe Building, 1552 Broadway (actually on Seventh Avenue, but having a Broadway address) and West 46th Street in Manhattan, is an individual Landmark built in 1929, designed by A. Stirling Calder, father of the artist Alexander Calder (known for his mobiles), and has four large statues on its West 46th Street facade depicting Great Ladies of the Theater (Mary Pickford, Rosa Ponselle, Ethel Barrymore and Marilyn Miller); and

WHEREAS, The owner of the building is proposing to  restore the facade of the landmark, including the restoration of  the 46th Street storefront, which is in great need of repair; and

WHEREAS, The owner is also applying for approval of additional signage for the building, including a new, large sign to be placed above the West 46th Street facade; and

WHEREAS, The owner is to be commended for the restoration and repair of the facade, but Community Board Five considers the proposed West 46th Street signage overwhelming, inappropriate and a detraction from the landmarked building; therefore be it,

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for approval of the additional signage although any restoration work approved by LPC would be welcomed.

The above resolution recommending denial by a vote of 27 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, The Empire State Building is an individual landmark famous throughout the world, with a designated interior lobby; and

WHEREAS, Its Art Deco style office building lobby was designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon and built in 1930 -1931, with the lobby walls, floors, and ceiling all protected surfaces; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five approved a security plan for renovating the lobby in June 2002 in the wake of possible threats to New York City Landmarks after the events of Sept. 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, The owners and their architects have developed a Master Plan for further renovations to the lobby and certain other areas of the ground floor of the building; and

WHEREAS, The new lobby design will make entry turnstiles and other security elements less obtrusive by relocating them further away from public circulation areas in the lobby; and

WHEREAS, Signage, graphics, and maps, as well as storefront exteriors and interiors will be improved and made more harmonious with the original Art Deco design of the building; and

WHEREAS, The large backlit Eight Wonders of the World murals, a later addition to the lobby, will be removed to another part of the building, and the original marble surfaces will be restored with similar marble that is still available; and

WHEREAS, All surfaces with broken marble that were damaged by drilled holes will be restored; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Master Plan for the landmarked interior lobby of the Empire State Building, with the agreement of the management of the building that all care will be taken with all protected surfaces so that future restoration could be accomplished, with the exception of the four Building Directories detailed in the following resolution which is intended to be taken into consideration in conjunction with this recommendation.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention, 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, The Empire State Building is an individual landmark famous throughout the world, with a designated interior lobby; and

WHEREAS, Its Art Deco style office building lobby was designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon and built in l930 -193l, with the lobby walls, floors, and ceiling all protected surfaces; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five approved a security plan for renovating the lobby in June 2002 in the wake of possible threats to New York City Landmarks after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and

WHEREAS, The owners and their architects have developed a Master Plan for further renovations to the lobby and certain other areas of the ground floor of the building; and

WHEREAS, The Master Plan includes the removal of four original Building Directories, since the owners contend that their use has been rendered obsolete by new technologies and they are costly to maintain and update; and

WHEREAS, These Directories are deemed important elements of the original lobby design; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the removal of the four Building Directories.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention, 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, 200 Fifth Avenue, known as the International Toy Center, is in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District and is a neo-Renaissance style store and loft building built in 1908 - 1909, designed by Maynicke & Franke; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five recommended approval of a Master Plan for 200 Fifth Avenue in September 2002, when the previous owner contemplated changing the primary building occupancy from commercial to residential use; and

WHEREAS, The current owner is now rehabilitating the building for continuation as a commercial office building with ground floor retail occupancy; and

WHEREAS, The owner proposes to replace the existing glass and metal doors along the building line at the West 23rd Street entry, and install a new glass wall at the West 24th Street entry; and

WHEREAS, The owner agrees to preserve the ornamental metal gates and the vestibule spaces with coffered, vaulted ceilings at the West 23rd and West 24th Street entrances; and

WHEREAS, The owner proposes to modify the east elevation of the existing courtyard (which is entirely inside the building and only partially visible through the West 23rd Street entrance), with infill for approximately 8,000 to 10,000 additional square feet of commercial rental space within the courtyard, and construct a new curtain wall system within the courtyard; and

WHEREAS, The owner proposes to construct rooftop elements of not more than 10,000 square feet, and install new HVAC equipment on the roof, all not higher than 18 feet (lower in height than the previous owner proposed); and

WHEREAS, The rooftop addition and the courtyard infill collectively will not add more than the allowable FAR for the building; and

WHEREAS, All doors (exterior as well as interior) would be ADA accessible, and where feasible, those that have been altered will be restored or replicated in order to reflect the original design; and

WHEREAS, The owner has agreed to preserve and keep in good working order the landmarked sidewalk clock; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Master Plan for 200 Fifth Avenue and requests that any further additions or changes to this plan such as signage, awnings, etc, also be presented to the Board. The Board would also recommend that original materials be used wherever possible (such as cast iron in the restored bulkheads and in the storefronts).

The above resolution passed with a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, 120 Madison Avenue is a landmarked building designed by the eminent architect Stanford White, with a distinctive Federal Revival façade; and

WHEREAS, The building, opened in 1906, is the former “Colony Club,” a private women's club, and since 1963 has been occupied by the American Academy of Dramatic Arts; and

WHEREAS, The Applicant has filed a request with the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of an illuminated display cabinet on the façade of the building, measuring 30” wide by 36” high by 4” deep, and placed 63.5” up from the sidewalk, to be used to advertise special events at the Academy; and

WHEREAS, The proposed illuminated display cabinet is deemed not compatible with the façade of this historic landmark building and may cause damage to the façade if it is installed; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for the proposed illuminated display cabinet for 120 Madison Avenue.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 30 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, 20 West 22nd Street, located between 5th and 6th Avenue in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, is a neo-Renaissance 16-story store and loft building, designed by Louis Korn, and constructed in 1910 – 1911; and

WHEREAS, The owner has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for façade restoration, replacement of store front windows and installation of lighting fixtures; and

WHEREAS, The owner failed to provide sufficient information to Community Board Five, including photographs of the affected building areas proposed for change, description and details of the lighting fixtures intended to be installed, and samples of the materials proposed to be used as finishes; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install new storefront infill at 20 West 22nd Street (Ladies’ Mile Historic District), based on inadequate information provided by the applicant.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 30 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention. 

WHEREAS, The Sixty-Ninth Regiment Armory, located at 68 Lexington Avenue on the block bounded by East 25th and 26th Streets and Lexington and Park Avenues, built between 1880 and 1906 and designed by Hunt & Hunt is a designated Landmark; and

WHEREAS, This building synthesizes its military function with classically inspired principles of Beaux-Arts design; is the home of "The Fighting 69th", an Irish Regiment that fought in the Civil War and both World Wars; and was the site of the International Exhibition of Modern Art, popularly known as the Armory Show; and

WHEREAS, New York State Office of General Services and Division of Military and Naval Affairs has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to renovate and modify various external and internal areas of the property to improve accessibility, as follows:

 Exterior - 25th Street Facade:

• Restore former west entrance (currently blocked over).  Replace existing steps with new ADA-compliant entrance including masonry wall and rails to match the building.
• Reverse existing entrance steps and landing, and restore to match the building.
• Install new elevator door opening at sidewalk level.

Interior - Phase 1

• One elevator will remain in its current location on the north side of the building (East 26th Street) and will be refitted with a new system.  The elevator is to remain dedicated for use by military personnel only.
• For non-military users, a second elevator will be added on the south side (East 25th Street) of the building.  The elevator will require a curb cut and DOT approval.
• A handicapped-accessible elevator will be added in the annex along with a new entrance vestibule, which will allow unassisted handicapped access to the Drill Hall.  The entrance vestibule will require modifications on the exterior so that the vestibule may be entered at grade level.
• Elevator doors will be re-sized to restrict vehicle passage to the drill floor level.
• Connection of the two freight elevators to an emergency generator back-up system will be provided.

Interior - Phase 2

• Excavation of the unexcavated basement area would allow the creation of additional parking without displacing existing storage facilities.
• Installation of a mechanical ventilation system to provide elimination of vehicle exhaust from the basement.
• Installation of a sprinkler system in the new parking area, and access areas for new elevators
• Addition of new floor drains in the new parking area;

Therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for 68-70 Lexington Avenue, between 25th and 26th Streets (The Sixty-Ninth Regiment Armory), application to modify stair and side entrance.

WHEREAS, 30-32 West 21st Street, located between 5th and 6th Avenue in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, is a 12 story neo-Renaissance style store and loft building designed by Bushman & Fox and constructed in 1907; and

 WHEREAS, The landmarked building is being converted for residential use on the upper floors and the application includes:

• Installation of historically appropriate storefront infill for the first floor commercial space
• Creation of new window openings that are the same proportion as existing windows and not visible from the public way
• Construction of a two-story rooftop addition topped by a stairway bulk head
• Construction of a six- story side addition in an adjacent empty lot on the west side of the building that responds to LPC input for historic compatibility; and

 WHEREAS, The façade restoration will include the replacement of the missing 11th story and roof level cornices, and full cleaning of the façade by stripping paint that was added at a later date, returning the storefront entry to its original color; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five would like to see the replaced cornices be cast-iron; and  

WHEREAS, The side addition will re-establish the "street wall," and require the removal of an unsightly exterior stairway and metal door that opens to the empty lot; and

WHEREAS,   Although the roof top addition is partially visible when viewed from the west approach to the building, as indicated in a mock-up of the roof top addition presented to Community Board Five; this factor is not deemed to be serious enough to detract from the other proposed property improvements that will benefit the Historic District; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to install storefront infill, create new window openings, construct a rooftop addition and a new building at 30 West 21st Street in the Ladies' Mile Historic District.

WHEREAS, The Building at 7 W. 54 St. (between 5 & 6th Aves.), AKA Lehman Mansion, is a landmarked building undergoing restoration and the current application is an addition to that project; and

WHEREAS, This application is for a three-story addition on top of the existing three-story rear extension and it will not be visible from any public way and it will only be visible from the rear of other adjacent buildings; and

WHEREAS, There was an earlier design proposal that would have filled in more of the rear yard, but after consultation with LPC staff the applicant reduced the bulk of the addition to the three stories currently proposed; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to construct a 3 story rear extension at 7 West 54th Street.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 27 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention.  

WHEREAS, Samuel Lord and George Washington Taylor founded the Lord & Taylor Company in 1826; and

WHEREAS, In 1913-14 it opened its Fifth Avenue store (moving from the Ladies’ Mile),  which was designed by the noted architectural firm of  Starrett & Van Vleck, who also designed the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship building; and

WHEREAS, The building is architecturally “notable for its restrained yet monumental character,” its tall, deeply recessed entrance with a grand arch and ornamental “L&T” emblem, its deep copper cornice and two-story colonnade at the top of the building; and

WHEREAS, Its most prominent feature - its large ground floor display windows - are famous for their built-in engineering features and for their extraordinary Christmas displays viewed by thousands over the years; and

WHEREAS, Lord & Taylor is the oldest department store chain in the United States and was the first major store on Fifth Avenue to name a female, Dorothy Shaver, as president in 1945, who is credited with opening the first branch store in America, and with instituting innovative concepts such as the personal shopper; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends that Lord & Taylor be designated an individual New York City landmark because it is architecturally, culturally and historically significant.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 18 in favor, 10 opposed, 1 abstention.  

WHEREAS, 863 Broadway between East 17th & East 18th Street is a four story Italianate building, constructed in 1842, was in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, In October 2006, the rear wall and front façade collapsed due to construction being done at the property and the adjacent building (865 Broadway); and

WHEREAS, The applicant is rebuilding the façade to make it identical to its pre-collapse condition; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wants to modify the storefront to accommodate an ADA compliant residential entrance to the building to the left and an ADA compliant commercial entrance to the right, and this storefront infill will be made of painted wood and glass, with an exterior security gate; and

WHEREAS, The Board finds that interior security gates are more in keeping with the character of the district; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to build a rooftop addition which will be setback 20 feet from the cornice, 30 feet from the rear wall, and 10 feet high; and

WHEREAS, The applicant built a mock-up of the rooftop addition but took it down before the Landmarks Committee meeting, denying an opportunity for the committee members and the community to study the question of visibility; and

WHEREAS, The applicant acknowledged that the rooftop addition would be very visible, from several viewpoints, including from the north west corner of Union Square Park; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for a new storefront and rooftop addition at 863 Broadway.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 34 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention. 

WHEREAS, The Knickerbocker Hotel is a Beaux Arts style building of red brick with terra cotta details, and with a prominent mansard roof, which was designed by Marvin & Davis, with Bruce Price and built in 1902-1906,  designated in 1988 and put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Its Annex was designed by Phillip C. Brown, built in 1894, and is a designated landmark as well; and

WHEREAS, Financed by John Jacob Astor, it was a luxurious hotel and a popular dining and dancing spot in New York’s new theatre district, and was the only survivor out of several grand hotels that were built in the Times Square area; and

WHEREAS, The Knickerbocker closed in the 1920’s during the Depression and was converted to office use and was later the home to Newsweek Magazine; and

WHEREAS, The application is to alter the two-story commercial base, install canopies, construct a rooftop addition, remove a fire escape and install storefront infill at the Annex; and

WHEREAS, The base will be of white beige limestone, with bronze, glass and black ironwork similar to the original but without the arched windows and with much less ornamentation then the original,  the windows will be reduced in size more similar to the original, the design more compatible with its historic character; and

WHEREAS, The main entrance to the hotel will be on Broadway where the current entrance is, and it will now be expanded to three bays with a new glass and metal canopy and with a sconce on either side of the entrance, similar to the 42nd Street entrance, where the original main entrance was, which will also have a sconce on either side, and a projecting wrought iron balcony, referencing the original historically; and

WHEREAS, The Annex, also a landmark which has been closed for the past twenty years, will be restored and used for offices, the fire escape removed, the roll down security gate removed, the base, storefront and façade restored to its 1920 appearance, and  two sets of bronze double doors installed; and

WHEREAS, The new rooftop addition, an enlargement of the existing rooftop addition, will be for a bar and will be made of stucco and glass: the existing rooftop addition is 22 ft. 3 inches in width on the west  - Broadway side of the building  and 112 ft. 10 inches along the 42nd Street side; and

WHEREAS, The proposal would make the rooftop addition 40ft. 11 inches wide on the West- Broadway side and 121 ft. 11 inches along the 42nd Street side, and the height of the bar would be 15ft where it is now 10 ft., thus adding 18 ft along the west-Broadway side, and 8 ft along the 42nd street side, with a five foot addition in height over all; and

WHEREAS, The length of the bar along the East side is now 76 ft 11 inches and the proposal would lengthen it to 85 ft 11inches an increase of 8 ft 39 inches; and

WHEREAS, The height of the Cooling Towers, (which are located on the top and on the east side of the bar)  would have the Cooling towers stand 26 ft above the 15ft bar, making them 41ft above the roof. They are now 12ft above the roof; and

WHEREAS, The proposed penthouse rooftop addition is visible from several viewpoints, including Bryant Park and is very visible from West 42nd Street, between 6th Avenue and Broadway, and this extreme visibility violates the Landmarks Law; therefore be it,

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of this project.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 19 in favor, 15 opposed, 2 abstention.  

WHEREAS, The Time & Life Building located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas in Rockefeller Center is an historically important building, opened in 1959, designed by the architects Harrison, Abramovitz & Harris, and was the first expansion of Rockefeller Center west of the Avenue of the Americas, and is credited with launching the renaissance of this area; and

WHEREAS, The design of the ground floor lobby of The Time & Life Building is notable for its lively decorative character and is considered to be a rare, intact example of mid-century modernism with its mixture of plate glass and marble cladding on the outer walls, elevator core walls wrapped in stainless steel panels, gray and white terrazzo laid in a playful serpentine pattern inspired by the world famous Avenida Altantico sidewalk, in Copacabana (Rio De Janeiro), itself designed by Roberto Burle Marx, abstract works by noted artists Fritz Glarner and Josef Albers; and

WHEREAS, On July 16, 2002 the ground floor lobby of Time & Life Building was designated by New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an historic landmark; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing to install a new reception desk and new turnstiles, which are intended to accommodate employees and visitors of Lehman Brothers, the tenant of 35th through 45th floors; and

WHEREAS, The proposed 12'-0" wide X 3'-6" high reception desk would be composed of black granite, to be installed on top of the existing gray granite floor border; and

WHEREAS, Behind the proposed reception desk would be a back painted glass panel, with the tenants logo in stainless steel letters; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to install several security turnstiles and gates at both the north and the south entries to the elevator lobby accessing elevator cabs for floors 35 through 45; and

WHEREAS, Installation of these turnstiles will involve drilling through the terrazzo floor for installation of electrical power lines; and

WHEREAS, There is concern that the terrazzo floor may be damaged, and that such a large desk would obstruct views of the lobby, and that the turnstiles and the desk are elements that will have a negative impact upon this important historic landmark space; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install the proposed reception desk and turnstiles at the ground floor lobby of The Time & Life Building at 1271 Avenue of the Americas.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 25 in favor, 8 opposed, 2 abstentions.  

WHEREAS, 38-42 West 18th Street/41-45 West 17th Street are located in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The application for 2 rooftop additions, 1 ½ stories at 42 West 18th Street and 2 ½ stories at 40 West 18th Street, and for a new 15-story structure on the vacant lot between 17th and 18th Street, adjacent to 40 and 42 West 18th Street was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in May of 2001; and

WHEREAS, The application for Certificate of Appropriateness, filed in 2001, expired on May 22, 2007 and must be renewed; and

WHEREAS, The application is essentially the same as originally approved except that the rooftop additions, due to stricter Landmarks Preservation Commission rulings, will be reduced by 5,000 square feet; and

WHEREAS, The FAR will be reduced from 9.78 to 8.43 by creating a courtyard on the 2nd and 3rd floors and by reducing the rooftop additions, which are not visible from the public way; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for 38-42 West 18th Street.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 36 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions.  

WHEREAS, The building at 160 Fifth Avenue, located in the Ladies' Mile Historic District, is a nine-story building in the Renaissance Revival style, designed by R.H. Robertson and built in 1891-92, formerly known as the Mohawk Building, with ground-floor retail and upper-floor office space and located at the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 21st Street; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to restore the significant disrepair of the retail storefront on Fifth Avenue in a manner that matches the original stone and cast-iron design; and

WHEREAS, There will be a master plan to ensure that retail signage and storefronts on Fifth Avenue conform to design standards of the Ladies' Mile Historic District, and which will be reviewed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes that the existing entrance to the office space on Fifth Avenue will be stripped and recreated into a new entrance to the retail space, the interior of which will be subdivided; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes that the existing entrance to the retail space on Fifth Avenue will remain open to the newly subdivided interior retail space; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to replace the ornate existing loading dock on 21st Street with a new entrance to the commercial office lobby, creating a glass entrance in a modern style; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to restore the original design work along the 21st Street bays; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to relocate the elevator shafts to the rear yard, which will partially cover existing skylights; and

WHEREAS, The elevator shafts will not be visible from the street or affect any tenants; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for 160 Fifth Avenue to repair the storefront infill, a new retail entrance on Fifth Avenue, a new commercial office entrance on 21st Street, and to construct a rear yard addition.

WHEREAS; The building at 1182 Broadway, between West 28th and West 29th Streets, known as the Centurion Building, was designed by the architect William Rouse of Rouse & Goldstone, and constructed in 1908; and

WHEREAS; 1182 Broadway is a brick structure ornamented with stone and terra cotta, with 17 inhabitable floors, plus a mechanical penthouse and bulkhead; and

WHEREAS; 1182 Broadway is located within the Madison Square North Historic District; and

WHEREAS; The application has been filed for a report pursuant to Zoning Regulation 74-711 for a modification of use, a Certificate of Appropriateness for storefront design, and a Certificate of No Effect for restoration work; and

WHEREAS; In exchange for the execution of cleaning and repairs to the façade, the applicant seeks to change the usage of the sixth through seventeenth floors from manufacturing to residential and will appear before the Board at a later date to present the Land Use portion of the application; and

WHEREAS; The ground through fifth floors are proposed to remain in commercial use; and

WHEREAS; In 1920, two central Marble columns had been removed, and the ground and second floor façade was altered to create a double height storefront opening; and

WHEREAS; After 1920, the remaining Marble columns and masonry details of the ground through third floors had been painted, and portions of the storefront were covered in a non-distinguished corrugated aluminum cladding; and

WHEREAS; At the ground level, the applicant proposes to install contemporary glass and metal entrances and storefront infill; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to clean and restore the marble columns and masonry details, remove the aluminum, and restore whatever remains of the 1920 storefront, including replicating what may have been removed; and 

WHEREAS; The applicant proposes to clean and restore the fourth through twelfth floor brick façade, retaining the existing copper clad windows, and to patch the deteriorated marble window sills; and

WHEREAS; The façade of the thirteenth through seventeenth floors is heavily ornamented in terra cotta that has become deteriorated, and is proposed to be cleaned and patched; and

WHEREAS; The applicant has proposed to remove the existing, badly deteriorated terra cotta cornice and balustrade, and replace it in fiberglass; and

WHEREAS; Community Board Five believes that much of the work that the applicant has described may be a worthy restoration of floors two through seventeen, however, there is great concern that the building restoration must include replication and replacement of the cornice and the balustrade manufactured in either terra cotta or masonry, as opposed to fiberglass, which we deem unacceptable; therefore be it

RESOLVED; That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for a modification of use, based on a Certificate of Appropriateness and a Certificate of No Effect for restoration work.

WHEREAS, The owner of the Rodin Studios, an individual landmark at 200 West 57th Street, on the southwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 57th Street (west of Carnegie Hall and south of the Osborne Apartments), is applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct  a rooftop addition; and

WHEREAS, Rodin Studios was named after the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin, designed by the great architect Cass Gilbert, built in 1916-17 in the French Gothic style for artists studios and residential space, and was designated a NYC landmark in 1988; and

WHEREAS, The Rodin Studios in addition to being very historic, also housed many famous people, such as violinist Jascha Heifetz, author Theodor Dreiser, actress Mae West, and actors Jason Robards and Eli Wallach; and

WHEREAS, The 14-story building is faced in polychromatic rough brick and ornamental terra-cotta trim and is currently undergoing a façade restoration; and

WHEREAS, The proposed 15th floor addition is 1,438.1 sf. making the existing 15th floor plus the proposed addition to the 15th floor a total of 5,963.7 sf., and the height approximately 10’; and

WHEREAS, The face of the new 15th floor has the same setbacks as the existing 15th floor and the rear of the proposed 15th floor addition in the southwest corner aligns with the edge of the building below; and

WHEREAS, The proposed 16th floor addition is 5,663.9 sf. and the height approximately 12’; and

WHEREAS, The face of the proposed 16th floor addition aligns with the edge of the 15th floor addition along 57th Street and is 96’-6” in length and is setback 3’-8” from the overall 15th floor along 7th Avenue, and is 68’-5 ¾” in length and the rear of the proposed 16th floor, in the southwest corner, aligns with the edge of the building below; and

WHEREAS, The addition would be made of a darker brick and terra-cotta than in the façade to blend in with a background of dark glass and railings that would be added; and

WHEREAS, The addition is significantly visible from north and south along 7th Avenue, as well as from east and west along 57th Street; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the rooftop addition because the addition is very visible from a wide distance and would diminish the extraordinary historic quality of this very beautiful landmark.

WHEREAS, The building is a Beaux-Arts style store and loft building designed by Buchman & Fox and built in 1903 and located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 21st Street; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, Chase Bank, the new tenant of the commercial space, wants to replace signage on the ground floor commercial space, on both the Fifth Avenue side and the 21st Street side; and

WHEREAS, The proposed signage – the Chase logo – is blue and white, 24 inches tall and 14 feet wide and is backlit, with neon illuminated letters; and

WHEREAS, Backlit signage is not in keeping with the architectural vocabulary of the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The signage is too large, and not harmonious with the neighborhood, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install the proposed signage and notes that in the past, smaller signage lit from above or pin mounted signage have been approved in this historic district.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 36 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.  

WHEREAS, 29 West 57th Street, the 14-story office and gallery building, designed in a commercial neo-Gothic style in brick and terra cotta with sculptures representing pipers above the 12th floor setback and lyre players on the penthouse, was built in 1923-24 to the designs of the noted NYC architectural firm, Cross & Cross. 

WHEREAS, 29 West 57th Street is also called “Chickering Hall” because it was built to house the showroom, concert hall and offices of the American Piano Company, an important American piano manufacturer, which was founded by Jonas Chickering in 1908, and was largest piano manufacturing house in the U.S during the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, This was Chickering’s third NYC building; the first, a concert and lecture hall on l8th Street and 5th Avenue, where Oscar Wilde, Graham Bell, Walt Whitman, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and others were heard, and the second, located at 437 5th Avenue have both been demolished.

WHEREAS, Their third building located at 29 West 57th Street was developed as a performing arts center during the 1900’s with the opening of Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall and others, and was in keeping with the opening of music and art affiliated businesses in the 57th Street area; and

WHEREAS, Jonas Chickering was noted for his contributions to the piano industry, among them a cast iron plate to relieve stress on the wooden piano case, “overstringing”, positioning the longest bass strings over the others, and concert grand pianos, and his company was also the first manufacturer of musical instruments listed on the N.Y. Stock Exchange; and

WHEREAS, The erection of the Chickering building in 1923 celebrated the 100th anniversary of the continuous manufacturing of Chickering Pianos, and in 1924 WOR Radio moved into the building on the 9th floor with John B. Gambling as the announcer and Houdini, Chaplin and Paul Whiteman among his guests; and

WHEREAS, Although the piano industry was at its peak in 1909, with some 365,000 sold that year, by 1924 the piano industry had fallen apart largely due to the ever-growing use of radios, and “in 1929 the once mighty American Piano Company fell into receivership” and the Chickering name was ultimately sold to Wurlitzer, then Steinway, Baldwin and Gibson; and

WHEREAS, The building is crowned by gigantic polychrome terra cotta reproductions of the Legion of d’Honneur medal won by the Chickering Company’s pianos at the 1867 Paris Exposition, and they are displayed in a raised design for the water-tower enclosure; and

WHEREAS, Cross & Cross was noted for their use of exterior symbols to represent the products of the company housed within their buildings; and

WHEREAS, In 1983 there was a complete façade restoration with the medallion-like ornaments on the tower and the building itself gold-leafed so that it is in pristine condition; and

WHEREAS, Because the façade of its neighbor, 9 West 57th Street curves back, the beautiful east façade of 29 West 57th Street is also very visible; and

WHEREAS, There are two entrances to the building located at the ground floor level, the eastern entrance leads into a women’s clothing store, the western entrance is for the entire building and both entrances are located within cast stone arches that have sculptural details with musical instrument motifs; and

WHEREAS, The central storefront has three glass arches with a large picture window at the second floor which advertises a piano showroom, and the seventh floor advertises for a menswear showroom; and

WHEREAS, Between the second and third floors there are Gothic style gold leaf friezes resembling a Greek chorus and the masonry spandrels between floors four through twelve are all punctuated with boxes in gold leaf, also above the twelfth floor window; and

WHEREAS, The windows from floors four through twelve are primarily single panel pivoting panes which have transoms above and the twelfth floor windows are arched; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five strongly supports the designation of 29 west 57th Street for its architectural, cultural and historic significance.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 38 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstention.  

WHEREAS, The Sohmer Building at 31 West 57th Street was constructed  in 1919 as a 6-story piano showroom, designed by architect Randolph Almiroty in the French Classical style, featuring a single broad archway framed by quoins; and

WHEREAS, Randolph Almiroty was a partner in the architectural firm of Browne & Almiroty established in 1910 and dissolved in 1916 and as architects they worked separately in NYC from the late 1900’s; and 

WHEREAS, Among the buildings Almiroty designed was 31 West 11t h Street, a neo-classical apartment building, built in 1910 in the Greenwich Village Historic District, and 30-32 West 24th Street, a neo-Gothic store and loft building in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, 31 West 57th Street was built for the Sohmer Piano Company, which occupied the entire building, and was the manufacturer of musical instruments and one of the major piano manufacturers in NYC, and is the earliest known of the extant piano company buildings even predating the showrooms for Steinway and Chickering; and

WHEREAS, The Sohmer Piano Company was one of the major piano manufacturers for close to 100 years, and their pianos are considered among the finest in the world; and

WHEREAS, Hugo Sohmer, born in Germany, founded Sohmer & Company in America in 1872, which later became the American Piano Company, is credited with inventing the first baby grand in 1884 and for making custom made pianos for such famous people as Jean Harlow, Al Jolson, Ramon Navarro, Victor Herbert (owned several), Irving Berlin (owned three), and President Calvin Coolidge; and

WHEREAS, Although Sohmer sold 31 West 57th Street in 1952, they continued to lease part of it for many years as a showroom for their pianos and sold out to Pratt, Reed & Co in 1982, which continued to make Sohmer Pianos until the 2000’s when the SMC company in Korea, the largest piano maker in the world, began to produce them; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, the building was restored by the noted N.Y. architectural firm of Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, and the Rizzoli Bookstore is now the sole tenant; and

WHEREAS, It is one of many buildings on the 57th Street thoroughfare that helped establish 57th Street as the foremost musical center of the country, called “Piano Row”; and

WHEREAS, 31 West 57 has a balustrade railing which occurs at the base of the second story and the parapet, flat abstracted label moldings of the second story windows, fifth story pilasters and bracketed cornices; the severe and abstract classicism of the building may have been influenced by the modern French architecture of this period; and

WHEREAS, There is some symmetry in the window detailing on floors three, four and five, and are all metal framed windows; on the sixth floor there is an eight pane French door/windows; and

WHEREAS, The Sohmer Factory in Long Island City, although no longer making pianos, was designated a NYC landmark in 2007; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five strongly supports the designation of 31 West 57th Street.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 38 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstention.  

WHEREAS, 33 West 57th Street is a rare surviving 6-story Italianate brownstone, designed by John G. Prague and constructed in 1879-80; and

WHEREAS, The building is constructed of cast stone or limestone with a granite base which has been painted and features molded window surrounds, and concludes in an elaborate modillion ornamental cornice and  a copper clad mansard roof; and

WHEREAS, At the third, fourth and fifth floors, the masonry details are simple, with Federal style window surrounds; and

WHEREAS, In 1918, the building was altered to accommodate a store in the ground floor resulting in the Tudor arched plate glass storefront, designed by J. O’Dell Whitenack; and

WHEREAS, This building is a rare survivor from the initial period of the development of Midtown, when these blocks once had many Italianate residences many of which were refaced in the 1890’s-1900’s with new facades, this one with simple details is in good condition; and

WHEREAS, At one time the ground floor was a retail piano sales floor for Hardman Peck Piano Co. and had offices on the top floor; and

WHEREAS, The noted Hammer Galleries, founded by Armand Hammer in 1928 and the first to exhibit the famous Faberge Russian Imperial Easter Eggs, moved into the building in 1980; and

WHEREAS, The architect of 33 West 57th Street, John G. Prague, was described by Christopher Gray of the N.Y. Times as “an architect very active in opening up the West Side”; and

WHEREAS, Among the buildings he designed was 32 West 18th Street in 1887-88 in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, a Queen Anne style rowhouse; 128 West 87th Street in 1887-88, a Queen Anne style rowhouse in the Central Park West Historic District; 23 and 25 East 64th Street, in the Upper East Side Historic District, a neo-Grec style rowhouse in 1879-80; a townhouse at 11 East 61st Street, also in the Upper East Side Historic District; and

WHEREAS, In 1870 he designed a structure at the northwest corner of Columbus Avenue and 86th Street which he also owned; in 1870 “he designed a bold cast iron structure” at 2nd Avenue and First Street, “with a mansard roof, a fad at that time” (demolished in 1959); and he also designed the façade of the famous Russian Tearoom in 1873; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five strongly supports the designation of 33 West 57th Street

The above resolution passed with a vote of 38 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstention.  

WHEREAS,  Originally constructed in 1879-80, the house at 35 West 57th Street assumed its current appearance in 1900 when Samuel W. Bowne commissioned the noted architectural firm of Schickel and Ditmars to design an elaborate new Beaux Arts style façade for the five-story building; and

WHEREAS, The architectural firm of Schickel & Ditmars that designed 35 West 57th Street is world famous, having designed historic religious buildings throughout the country as well as many designated building in NYC such as St. Ignatius Loyola on Park Avenue,  St. John the Baptist in N.Y., Polyclinic Hospital in NY; and

 WHEREAS, The firm was founded by William Schickel, a German émigré architect who had worked for Richard Morris Hunt and Henry Fernbach before opening his own office and joined Isaac Ditmars in 1887; the firm was known for both its residential and institutional commissions; and

WHEREAS, Samuel W. Bowne was a partner in the firm of Scott & Bowne, chemical manufacturers, who made emulsions, palatable castor oil, cough drops, etc; and

WHEREAS, Bowne was known as a philanthropist and the Bowne Memorial Gateway and Samuel W. Bowne Hall at Drew University are named after him. 

WHEREAS, In 1928, Bowne completed the Samuel & Nettie Bowne Tuberculosis Hospital in Poughkeepsie in honor of his wife, donated $100,000 in 1906 to complete the Bowne Chemistry Hall at Syracuse University and was also a trustee at a number of universities; and

WHEREAS, The building currently has three separate commercial tenants, two restaurants, the Great American Health Bar and Café Classico, and a beauty salon, J Sisters Salon, each with its own entrance; and

WHEREAS, The sophisticated limestone façade features a central curved two story oriel with exuberant carvings, including swags, horns of plenty, a central cartouche, brackets and a denticulate cornice, culminating in a decorative metal railing; and

WHERAS, The fifth floor windows are crowned by sculptural foliate and floral forms, and the heavily cast stone ornate seems to have been kept well intact; and

WHEREAS, There are existing window canopies with signage at the third and fifth floors, with ornamental metal Juliet balconies on the third floor; the fifth floor also has this same detailing in front of its larger, deeper balcony; and

WHEREAS, There are two Serpentine Marble pilasters with low relief carved fleur de lis capital detailing which span the ground through second floor; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five strongly supports the landmark designation of 35 West 57th Street.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 38 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstention.    

WHEREAS, 111 Fifth Avenue, located at 111 Fifth Avenue at 18th Street, is a distinguished Renaissance store and office building in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, It was designed by the noted architect William Schickel and Company, and built in 1894-95; and

WHEREAS, In presenting his application, the applicant failed to mention the illegal new entrance infill, but only mentioned the illegal signage; and

WHEREAS, The two very large illegal illuminated signs on either side of the entrance, each 5’4” by 42” are attached to the exterior of the glass on either side of the Fifth Avenue and 18th Street entrance, projecting out from the store by 6” and containing large H&M illuminated red logos; and

WHEREAS, In December of 2006, just before Christmas, the applicant applied to the Commission for permission to install the signage, but did not wait for a permit but withdrew his application and proceeded to do the illegal work, well aware that what he was doing was not legal; and

WHEREAS, The illegal signage is in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, entirely too large and illuminated and thus altogether inappropriate, and was knowingly put up illegally without a permit, and furthermore the applicant failed to mention to the Board the illegal work that was done at the entrance; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five requested that the applicant return before the Full Board on Thursday, March 8th to discuss the illegal entrance, the applicant said they were unable to do so; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of application to legalize the installation of illegal signage at 111 Fifth Avenue without Landmarks Preservation Commission permits; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five request that Landmark Preservation Commission not act on the illegal entrance until the Board has had a chance to review that portion of the application.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 33 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.

WHEREAS, The building is a 6 story Renaissance Revival store and office building, originally the Corndiac Building, designed by prominent architect Alfred Zucker and built in 1893-1894; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wishes to build a 2 story rooftop addition; and

WHEREAS, The addition will be made of limestone and cast iron with a cast iron cornice to mimic the storefront of the building with sides clad in bricks; and

WHEREAS, This addition will be 23 feet high, with a 12 ½ stair bulk head, and it will be set back 25 feet from the front and 20 feet from the rear; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has represented that the addition will be minimally visible from Fifth Avenue, fairly visible from East 20th Street through the side and not visible from Broadway; and

WHEREAS, After a mock-up was installed, it was evident that the addition will be very visible from Broadway; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That despite visibility, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a certificate of appropriateness for a 2 story rooftop addition.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 23 in favor, 11 opposed, 1 abstention.

In the first half of the 19th century, the area now known as Midtown Manhattan, (represented by Community Board Five) was developed as a middle class residential district. During the building boom that followed the Civil War, four-story brick and brownstone-faced rowhouses went up on the streets of the West 40’s and 50’s. By the turn of the century, the area had become home to many of the city’s most affluent citizens. By the early 20th Century, several townhouses on the block between 5th and 6th Avenue had been built for bankers and became known as “Bankers Row.”

10 West 56th Street

WHEREAS, The lot at 10 West 56th Street was purchased in 1899 by a prominent N.Y. financier, Frederick C. Edey, for his wife Birdsall Otis Edey, a leader in the Women’s Suffrage Movement and later the National President of Girl Scouts of America. The building was to be designed by McKim, Meade & White, but construction was delayed due to a pre-existing covenant prohibiting building out to the lot line; and

WHEREAS, In 1901, the covenant ended and Edey hired the firm of Warren & Wetmore to design 10 West 56th St., one of the few surviving townhouse built by this nationally significant architectural firm (designers of Grand Central Station, N.Y. Yacht Club, and Steinway); and

WHEREAS, This elegant Beaux-Arts style building with its mammoth grand sculptural second-story Palladian window capped by an elegant cartouche and keystone at the centerpiece of the design; and

WHEREAS, A smaller tripartite window at the third level is succeeded by the attic that has a balustraded parapet and a dormered copper mansard roof; and

WHEREAS, The first floor of the townhouse was designed in the modern French mode and retains its rusticated piers at either side which serve as a base for this slender building; and

WHEREAS, Despite alterations in 1940 to the first floor storefront, the upper stories are well preserved reflecting its original Beaux-Arts design; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends that 10 West 56th Street be designated a New York City Landmark.

30 West 56th Street

WHEREAS, 30 West 56th Street was designed and built in 1899-1901 by the noted architect C.P.H. Gilbert for prominent investment banker Henry Seligman and his wide Adelaide and stands today as a particularly grand and well-preserved example of the townhouses that once lined the side streets off Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, At the time, Gilbert also designed Seligman’s summer house in Deal, NJ and received many commissions from New York’s leading families, designed in a variety of architectural styles; and

WHEREAS, For Seligman,(known as the American Rothchild) Gilbert employed the Beaux-Arts style on a limestone façade spanning two lots, giving the townhouse an imposing presence compared to the narrower buildings on the block; and

WHEREAS, Above the rusticated ground floor are original second-story wood windows and an intricately-carved stone balcony supported by brackets, and adorning the second, third and fourth floors are stone quoins and window surrounds with broken lintels over the central windows on the third and fourth floors, and a fourth story balcony and large cornice further enhances the look of the elegant Beaux-Arts façade, along with an elaborate mansard roof; and

WHEREAS, Although the ground floor window openings have been altered to provide additional entrances, and the areaway walls have been removed, the façade, according to the Landmarks Commission, remains remarkably intact today; and

WHEREAS, Although the Seligmans continued to live there until their deaths in the 1930’s it remained a single family residence until 1941 when it was converted to apartments, and is now an office building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends that 30 West 56th Street be designated a New York City landmark because of its extraordinary Beaux-Arts elegance, still very much in tact.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 35 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstention.

WHEREAS, 29 West 27th Street is a Beaux Arts style, loft building located in the Madison Square North Historic District, built in 1908-09, designed by the architectural firm Neville & Bagge; and

WHEREAS, The Historic District's Designation Report comments that the subject building "…remains remarkably intact on the exterior"; and

WHEREAS, The owner/applicant of the ground floor commercial condominium space wishes to subdivide the interior space; and

WHEREAS, The proposal to subdivide the interior includes the removal of a central, non-contributing, storefront window, and the addition of a new entry door; and

WHEREAS, The proposal includes the addition of new awnings over the proposed door as well as the other two flanking, non-historic entry doors that he controls; and

WHEREAS, No historic examples or modern precedent studies were provided to evaluate the current proposal; and

WHEREAS, The proposed storefront is neither historically compatible nor harmonious to the building regarding proportions, color, or materials; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five would prefer that this storefront alteration be part of a master plan that will guide future storefront improvements; and

WHEREAS, The master plan should be agreed to by the building's Board of Directors and reviewed by as part of this application; and

WHEREAS, The owner/applicant has not taken any steps to work in cooperation with the building's Board to consider a storefront master plan or any façade improvements; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for 29 West 27th Street to install a new entry door on ground floor storefront, interior partitions and new awnings.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 33 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.  

WHEREAS, The University Club is an Italian Renaissance palazzo-style structure built by famed architectural firm McKim, Mead and White in 1900, and is an individual landmark, located at One West 54th Street; and

WHEREAS, In 1929, a rooftop addition was built to welcome squash courts, and more courts were built in 1933, all of these additions are visible from the main thoroughfares, including 5th Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wants to build an additional double squash court and a gallery for spectators to view the games and mechanical elements (elevator bulkhead) on the roof; and

WHEREAS, The additional structure will be clad in ochre color stucco; and

WHEREAS, The addition will be visible mainly on the west utilitarian façade of the building, and will also be minimally visible from 5th Avenue and from 54th Street; and

WHEREAS, The visibility is minimal and has no negative impact on the historical quality of the building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That despite concerns regarding the new addition partially blocking the view of the cornice of the Peninsula Hotel, located directly on the north side of the University Club, Community Board Five recommends approval of the rooftop addition on the University Club building.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 33 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.  

WHEREAS, 870 Broadway is an altered Italianate-style rowhouse built in 1847-48 as a private residence, altered in 1915 with a commercial style façade, and was the birthplace of the world famous department store Bergdorf Goodman, (in 1899, it was home to a tailoring establishment owned by Herman Bergdorf, where Edwin Goodman was an employee); and

WHEREAS, Currently the building is a commercial space with retail on the ground floor; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wants to replace the existing storefront with a new storefront infill and relocate entrances to the building and retail space; and

WHEREAS, The proposed storefront will retain the existing 3 cast iron pilasters, and will be made of painted wood (color to match the existing windows above) and glass; and

WHEREAS, The applicant represented to Community Board Five that at this time there will be no exterior lighting, no operable windows and no security gate installed; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That provided the retail and commercial entrances are made ADA compliant, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to replace the storefront at 870 Broadway.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.  

WHEREAS, The building at 182 West 58th Street, on the southeast corner of Seventh Avenue, designed in the French Renaissance-style by Harde & Short and constructed as The Alwyn Court Apartments between 1907 and 1909; and

WHEREAS, On June 7, 1966, the Alwyn Court Apartments was designated as an Individual Landmark, by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, the restaurant Petrossian, who is the tenant on the ground floor, was served violation # WL05-0621, for the installation of awnings at the storefront windows on the West 58th Street and the Seventh Avenue elevations of 182 West 58th Street; and

WHEREAS, The applicant seeking to cure this violation had the architect serving on their behalf present the application at two Landmarks Committee meetings; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has exhibited historic photos that indicate that the first of the window awnings was installed on 182 West 58th Street around 1984, however the applicant has not been able to provide any documentation that permission for this installation was granted by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, Subsequently, additional window awnings were installed, currently resulting in six at the West 58th Street elevation and another six at the Seventh Avenue elevation, without permission of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS; The applicant has not made an effort to remove the existing illegally installed window awnings; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That since the awnings were not part of 182 West 58th Street at the time of designation, they are deemed illegal, and should be removed, and Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to legalize the awnings.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 32 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.  

WHEREAS, The Marble Collegiate Church, designed by architect Samuel L. Warner, located at 270 Fifth Avenue aka 1 West 29th Street, was built in 1854, designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1967, is one of the four Collegiate Churches of New York City, and is America’s oldest Protestant church with a continuous ministry since 1628; and

WHEREAS, It has been described “as a distinguished example of early Romanesque revival church architecture with an impressive tower and spire,” and

WHEREAS, It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, When the church opened in 1854 the windows were clear unadorned glass, later changed to diamond panes of blue-green and amber colored glass and now there are 10 sanctuary stained glass windows; and

WHEREAS, There is now a master plan for the windows on the 5th Avenue façade; and

WHEREAS, They are now proposing to remove the center mullion from the center window above the entrance to the church so as to install one large stained glass window; and

WHEREAS, The removal of the mullion “will enable the artist to design a window without obstruction, with proper scale and without altering the overall appearance of the window when viewed outside of the church”; and

WHEREAS, This window is not visible from the interior of the church and will only be visible from Fifth Avenue and will be, according to the church, softly illuminated during the day until approximately 10p.m.; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five would like to see the removed windows saved; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for the removal of the center mullion from the window above the Fifth Avenue entrance to the Marble Collegiate Church.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 31 in favor, 1 opposed, 3 abstentions. 

WHEREAS, 224 Fifth Avenue is a six-story commercial building on a 28ft lot that is located in the Madison Square North Historic District, on fifth Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets and is located between two other six-story buildings; and

WHEREAS, 224 Fifth Avenue was constructed as a residential building in the mid 19th century, then converted to commercial use in the late 19th century when its original facade was replaced by a commercial facade which was later entirely replaced in 1981-82; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Because the design for the proposed building to be constructed on the site has not been approved by Community Board Five, and it is in the interest of the community to retain the existing building instead of having an empty lot, Community Board Five recommends denial for the request to demolish 224 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 23 in favor, 12 opposed, 2 abstentions.  

WHEREAS, According to the New York Times, countless landmarked properties throughout the city are not correctly listed on the Department of Buildings database thus allowing the owners of said properties to receive permits to alter or demolish their properties; and

WHEREAS, The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation discovered that many designated properties in Greenwich Village are either improperly listed or not listed as landmarks at all in the Department of Buildings database; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five is gravely concerned that this could lead to the demolition or façade alteration of some of our City’s treasured landmarks; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five urges the Department of Buildings and the Landmarks Preservation Commission take immediate action to verify that all landmarked properties are properly listed and brought up to date in the Department of Building’s database; and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five urges the Buildings Department and Landmarks Preservation Commission to work more closely and efficiently to ensure that demolition and façade alteration permits are not issued for designated properties or for properties being considered for designation; and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests assistance from the Manhattan Borough President’s office, to help identify improperly categorized properties, and to inform the Buildings Department and the Landmarks Preservation Commission of the findings so that no designated buildings are mistakenly altered or demolished.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 37 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstention.  

WHEREAS, 125 5th Avenue consists of two converted dwellings, located in the middle of the block between 19th and 20th Streets, joined in 1921-23 to form the present 5-story,  45 feet wide store and office building; and

WHEREAS, The building has a brown terra-cotta Neo-Gothic façade; and

WHEREAS, Originally this façade had large single-pane, wood-framed fixed center windows; and

WHEREAS, While most of the center window panes survived, only the southern 4th story unit retains its original pivoting side windows; and

WHEREAS, In 2006 a fire badly destroyed the northern portion of 125 5th Avenue and its windows, however, the southern portion of the building and windows were not as severely impacted by the fire; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to replace all the original large center single-pane wood-framed fixed windows with two aluminum-framed fixed panes equally divided by a vertical mullion as well as replace all the side wood-framed pivoting windows with aluminum tilt and turn windows; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes it is possible for the applicant to replicate and/or repair the original wood-framed windows; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five feels it is desirable to maintain original materials in historic buildings whenever possible, and particularly in windows below the 7th floor that are more visible; and

WHEREAS, Although the applicant is to be praised for replicating the burned terra cotta from the fire with new terra cotta, he was not able to show that it was unreasonable to restore the windows to their original state; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommending denial of the application for 125 Fifth Avenue to replace original wood framed windows with aluminum framed windows.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 34 in favor, 4 opposed, 1 abstention.   

WHEREAS, 1260 Broadway (AKA Hotel Martinique) located between 32nd and 33rd Streets, is an individual landmark designated in 1998, and designed by architect Henry J. Hardenberg, who designed a number of other landmarks such as the Plaza Hotel; and

WHEREAS, The French Renaissance Hotel was build in phases between 1897 and 1911 and fronts on 33rd Street, Broadway, and 32nd Street; and

WHEREAS, The operator of the hotel has changed from Holiday Inn to Radisson, and seeks to renovate the 33rd Street storefront façade; and

WHEREAS, There are outstanding violations cited by the Landmarks Preservation Commission including:

improperly replaced bulkhead (on the corner of 32nd Street and Broadway) two instances of signage that were not installed according to approved plans (both are on the Broadway facade) changing the hotel's name on two blades signs appears to void their grandfathered status (on both the Broadway and 32nd Street facades); and

WHEREAS, The applicants could not adequately explain, nor did they propose to remedy the violations; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five requested that the applicants address said violations prior to reviewing proposed renovations on the 33rd Street façade; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of this application for façade renovations, with the understanding that the applicants will resubmit the application when they address prior violations.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 34 in favor, 4 opposed, 1 abstention.   

WHEREAS, The building located at 1 Madison Avenue, also known as the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Building (the "building"), is a Venetian style office building designed by Pierre L. LeBrun built in l907-09 and altered in 1960-64; and

WHEREAS, In 1989 the building was designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an individual landmark; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, One Residential Fee, LLC, purchased the building on April 29, 2005 from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has retained the architectural firm of Polshek Partnership Architects and historic preservation consultants, Higgins & Quasebarth, to convert the building into condominium apartments, which was formerly occupied by commercial tenants and is presently vacant; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to make various alterations to the building, as follows:

• Convert the building's windows from one over one to single pane, the manner in which they existed at the time the building was landmarked;

• "Drop" and convert into doors, 44 windows located on the 31st floor loggia and terrace on the 35th floor of the building which will not be visible from any thoroughfare;

• Install four new mechanical louvers in various existing masonry openings, to be located in less visible areas from the street;

• Install eleven new windows on the south and east elevation on floors nine through eleven of the building, which will only be visible from Madison Avenue and 24th Street;

• Install new doors at the entrance to the building on 24th Street, the only entrance to the building, and to recess the existing revolving door five feet so that the entrance is compliant with federal law, namely the Americans with Disabilities Act and Local Law 57 of the Municipal Code of the City of New York;

• "Drop" to a door one of three windows located on the building's Madison Avenue facade (the southernmost storefront window) to accommodate a restaurant to be located there; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five, although having concerns regarding the depth of the recess proposed to the revolving door located at the building's entrance, respects the applicants' proposed changes and believes they are consistent with the overall integrity of the building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for 1 Madison Avenue for renovations.

WHEREAS, A special permit is being sought to modify the requirements of Zoning Resolution 74-711 to permit a transfer of approximately 17,000 sq ft of available floor area from the M1-6 zoning district to the C5-3 zoning district; modify the setback requirements; modify the requirement to provide less than the amount of pedestrian circulation space required for lots greater than 20,000 sq ft, and modify the requirement to permit the building along West 40th Street to provide less than the required minimum street wall (within 10 ft of the street line) equal to 80% of the frontage up to a height of 85 ft; and

WHEREAS, This is a project of the 40th Street Development LLC, in contract to purchase the property from HSBC  Bank, whose predecessor was the Republic National Bank; and

WHEREAS, The ornate Knox Building on 40th Street and Fifth Avenue, named after a famous hat maker, was designed by John H. Duncan in 1902 and remodeled into a bank building for the Republic National Bank by Kahn & Jacobs in l965 and in 1981 was incorporated into a new Republic National Bank on 39th Street and Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new building, the View at  Bryant Park, on the south side of 40th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, would rise to the height of 32 stories and overlook the Public Library and Bryant Park and would be approximately 86,000 sq ft of residential condos and 100,000 sq ft of hotel space; and

WHEREAS, At this time Community Board Five is looking only at the new building's harmonious relationship to adjacent landmarks and to landmarks in the neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, It is also the Board's concern to look at the applicant's preservation, restoration and continuing maintenance plan for the Knox Building pursuant to the variances granted under Zoning Resolution 74-711; and

WHEREAS, The proposal will come back to the Board when the zoning resolutions are discussed, and the project goes before the City Planning Commission and other city agencies; and              

WHEREAS, The proposed project is surrounded by a number of individual landmarks, including the New York Public Library, Bryant Park (a scenic landmark), American Radiator Building (now the Bryant Park Hotel), Bryant Park Studios, and the Knox  Building; and

WHEREAS, The preservation, restoration and continuing maintenance plan presented by the applicant for the Knox Building includes:

• Restoration of the 40th Street and Fifth Avenue ground floor storefronts; replacement of windows resembling the original; restoration of canopy over the 5th Avenue entrance; stone repair; restoration of stone water table at the base of building; restoration of ornamental railing on 7th floor; ornamental light post replicated; original sign band replaced;

• Replacement of granite band at base; and

WHEREAS, The applicant brought to the Board an original photo of the Knox Building when it was built, as was requested; and

WHEREAS, There is no final shadow study to determine the extent of the shadow that will be cast over Bryant Park by the new building; and

WHEREAS, The preservation and restoration plan was considered adequate to the requirements of the zoning law and had an adequate program for continuing maintenance; and

WHEREAS, The new building appears "to have a minimal adverse effect on the landmark structures and will not impact negatively on neighboring and adjacent landmarks, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for The View at Bryant Park located at 14-20 West 40th Street pursuant to 74-711 of the Zoning Resolution, using the Knox Hat Building known as "The Knox Building", an individual landmark.

WHEREAS, The Peninsula Hotel (formerly the Gotham Hotel) is an individual landmark, designated in 1989, that was built between 1902-05 to the designs of Hiss & Weekes in a neo-Italian Renaissance style; and

WHEREAS, The proposed project is to renovate the interior as well as the north, south and east facades of the penthouse addition to the building; and

WHEREAS, The subject penthouse was designed prior to LPC designation in 1980 by Stephen B. Jacobs in a style contrasting with that of the original 1902 building; and

WHEREAS, The LPC found that the penthouse is a non-contributing factor regarding its Landmark designation; and

WHEREAS, No alterations are planned for any portion of the 1902 façade; and

WHEREAS, Most of the exterior of the 3-story addition will remain unaffected, and no net expansion of the size of the building is planned; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to remove a swimming pool and locker rooms and replace them with a suite of hotel rooms; and

WHEREAS, The proposal is to reduce the projection of the cantilevered middle floor by making it smaller in area, and adding that area to the lower floor, where it is effectively hidden by the enormous 1902 copper cornice; and

WHEREAS, The exterior work is concentrated on the east side of the building, at the lower two of the three stories of the Jacobs penthouse, and would result in reduced visibility of the penthouse addition from the street, and would result in a more regular and less distracting façade; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for rooftop renovations at 700 Fifth Avenue.

 The above resolution passed with a vote of 36 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions.  

WHEREAS, The building at 867 - 869 Broadway, located on the southwest corner of Broadway and East 18th Street is a five-story Romanesque Revival style store building, designed by the architect George W. Pope, erected in 1882-83 for Oliver Ditson & Company; and

WHEREAS, 867 - 869 Broadway is located within the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The applicant, Paragon Sporting Goods, a long time occupant of this building, seeks permission to create a curb cut at the sidewalk in front of the building freight entrance, located at 24 East 18th Street; and

WHEREAS, The sidewalk is constructed of blue-tinted concrete with a metal lined curb; and

WHEREAS, The proposed curb cut would be fifteen linear feet wide (15'-0") and create a twelve inch (12") sloped ramp from the street level back to the sidewalk level; and

WHEREAS, The proposed curb cut and ramping would allow for an expedited unloading of deliveries during the day, as this would enable a fork lift to unload trucks at the street level, and avoid offloading of deliveries outside the building; and

WHEREAS, The curb cut is not proposed to allow vehicular traffic; and

WHEREAS, There are several precedent curb cuts located throughout the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to allow the creation of a curb cut at the sidewalk in front of 24 East 18th Street.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 36 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions.   

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy, has sought and obtained Community Board Five's approval for the shoreline restoration of the Central Park Lake at 77th Street in June 2006; and

WHEREAS, The Conservancy agreed to seek Community Board approval for specific design elements over the course of the five-year, multi-phase project; and

WHEREAS, The Oak Bridge structure spans the lake at its northern most tip and is one of three key entries to the Rambles; and

WHEREAS, The original bridge was designed by Calvert Vaux in 1860 and integral component of the park's design; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its life, the superstructure of the Oak Bridge has deteriorated and been replaced three times; and

WHEREAS, The current bridge dates from the 1930's is a utilitarian, presumably temporary, replacement with wood plank floor and iron pipe railings that does not match the original design; and

WHEREAS, The proposed bridge design:

• recreates as closely as possible the look and feel of the original ornamental bridge

• uses modern materials and engineering techniques to create a durable structure that is cost-effective to build and maintain

• complies with current design standards and load requirements; and

WHEREAS, The project will incorporate restoration techniques that have proven successful on other architectural elements of the park; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by the Central Park Conservancy for the reconstruction of the Oak Bridge

WHEREAS, The building at 240 West 30th Street was designed by architects D’Oench & Simon for the Fire Patrol and has been used as a fire patrol station for over 100 years; and

WHEREAS, It was built by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters in 1894-5 and opened in September of 1895 as the firehouse for Fire Patrol #3 (It is now designated Fire Patrol #1); and

WHEREAS, The Fire Patrol itself is a two hundred year old institution which pre-dates the New York City Fire Department as the city’s oldest private fire fighting institution and it is believed that fire patrols of insurance underwriters were in virtually every city in the United States, but that New York is not only the oldest in the country but the only one operating with three still in existence; one on 3rd Street(1906), one in Brooklyn (1909)and the firehouse on 30th Street (1894-5); and

WHEREAS, The four-story, three-bay elaborate masonry firehouse at 30th Street has a two-story stable at the rear, which housed two horses that used to pull the fire engines of that day;  and

WHEREAS, The building was designed in eclectic Flemish Revival style.  Its buff brick ornate façade has a classically inspired first floor.  A molded cornice is supported by engaged columns.  The cornice projects at the characteristic center vehicle entry which is also marked by flanking Doric columns; and

WHEREAS, The first floor now painted red, is Indiana limestone with a granite base and the upper floors are buff brick with raised limestone bands; and

WHEREAS, It was considered a fine example of a modern firehouse at the time, and the New York Times wrote in 1895 that great “care in regard to details of construction has been shown everywhere in the building…On the first floor the latest patterns of fire alarm instruments have been put in and every known device that can lessen the time of leaving the building has been adopted.”; and

WHEREAS, The windows have ornamental terra cotta pediments, different on each floor and the large arched window on the top floor balances the classical base at the first floor; and

WHEREAS, The building is very much intact and except for an original Flemish gable and peaked roof which were replaced by a stepped parapet and flat roof, the doors which are non-historic as are the windows except for the top floor and the original large arched center door leading to the stables remains; and

WHEREAS, There is an ornate stone plaque between the second and third floors that reads: “Erected by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters 1894”; and

WHEREAS, 240 West 30th Street is extremely significant for its history as a continuously operating fire patrol station for over 100 years, as well as for its architecture with its handsome eclectic style façade, ornate terra cotta and limestone, and for its rare rear brick stable and as one of the earliest and the last remaining private firefighting institutions; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends that the Fire Patrol Station at 240 West 30th Street be designated a New York City landmark and urges the Landmark Preservations Commission to immediately calendar a designation hearing.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 36 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions.   

WHEREAS, The applicant, 400 Fifth Realty LLC, proposes to transfer development rights from 401 Fifth Avenue, aka the Tiffany Building, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 37th Street, to a site located at 400 Fifth Avenue, across the street, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 36th Street, pursuant to section 74-79 of the Zoning Resolution; and

WHEREAS, The designated landmark at 401 Fifth Avenue is the Tiffany Building, built in 1903-06 in an Italian neo-Renaissance style and designed by world famous McKim, Mead & White; and

WHEREAS, The applicant seeks to modify the height and setback regulations as well as modify the requirements for pedestrian circulation; and

WHEREAS, Under the section 74-79 of the zoning code, the proposed building must have a harmonious relationship with the landmarks around it; and

WHEREAS, Under the section 74-79 of the zoning code, a program for the continuing maintenance of the landmark must be established; and

WHEREAS, This proposal will be reviewed by the Land Use and Zoning Committee of Community Board Five at a future date that would address the zoning requirements; and

WHEREAS, An application for the transfer of development rights at this site, under a different ownership and a different architect, had previously been made in October 2004 and May 2005, and in both instances, Community Board Five recommended denial; and

WHEREAS, The vacant site at 400 Fifth Avenue is 16.000 sq/ft and has a 15 FAR; and

WHEREAS, The applicant seeks to transfer 173.692 sq/ft from the Tiffany Building; and

WHEREAS, The proposed building would be a mixed use building with 173.000 sq/ft reserved for a hotel and 315.000 sq/ft dedicated to residential use; and

WHEREAS, The proposed building would be 591 feet high with a 40 foot mechanical unit, and would be composed of a tower on a tripartite base with an abstract cornice, a curved facade between  the avenue side and the street side of the building; and

WHEREAS, As a result of the transfer of development rights, the massing of the proposed tower would allow for a parallelepiped shaped building with no recessed portion; and

WHEREAS, The proposed building is located in the vicinity of several landmarks, including the Tiffany Building, the Empire State Building, the building adjacent to Tiffany and the building adjacent to 400 Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to section 74-79 of the Zoning resolution, the applicant proposes a preservation plan for the Tiffany building that would include rebuilding the original tile roof (not visible from the street), repair the sidewalk and give an easement for the façade to the New York Landmarks Conservancy for which the developer would receive a tax deduction, and

WHEREAS, Although there was some concern that the preservation plans may not be adequate; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to request that the Landmarks Preservation Commission issues a report to the City Planning commission pursuant to section 74-79 of the Zoning Resolution to permit transfer development rights from the historic Tiffany Building, located at 401 Fifth Avenue to 400 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 27 in favor, 10 opposed, 1 abstention.   

WHEREAS, The application is for a certificate of appropriateness for alterations on the Wilbraham Building, an individual landmark located at 284 Fifth Avenue at 30th Street; and

WHEREAS, This building was built between 1888 and 1890, in the Romanesque Style as a Bachelor Apartment Hotel and is currently a Coop apartment building with commercial space on the first floor; and

WHEREAS, The work to be done on this building is on the Penthouse level, which is not part of the original building, but was added in approximately 1935; and

WHEREAS, The penthouse is in poor condition, and the applicant proposes to remove the existing asbestos tiles cladding the facade of the penthouse, change the windows and re-clad the facades with acrylic stucco of a brown color to blend with the color of adjacent walls; and

WHEREAS, The proposed work is not visible from the main thoroughfares, with the exception of a very small portion of a fence, made of ipe wood; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five finds the construction proposed to be of the aesthetic character of the historic building and neighborhood, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for Certificate of Appropriateness for 284 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 28 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.    

WHEREAS, 136 Fifth Avenue is a one story (plus mezzanine) tax payer building, a remnant of a four-story row house in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, built in 1850, the front of which was rebuilt in 1894 for commercial use; and

WHEREAS, The top three stories of the building were destroyed by fire in 1960 and the lower remaining story (plus mezzanine) are now vacant but had been occupied by Andrews Coffee Shop; and

WHEREAS, Previous applications, filed by Apple Computer, relating to the demolition of the existing structure and reconstruction of the façade were not approved by Community Board Five in March 2005 and July 2005; and

WHEREAS, The current application would involve removal of the existing glazing system, metal panel cladding storefront signage and awning, but would retain the existing structure; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to install a limestone veneer storefront surround, limestone cornice, Kawneer glazing system and signage, and awning; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five is concerned that the design and height of the proposed one story (plus mezzanine) building is not appropriate to the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes it is more appropriate to replace the actual one story (plus mezzanine) structure with a four-story building, in keeping with the adjacent buildings, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Manhattan Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work and installation of new glazing entry system and signage identification at 136 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 23 in favor, 7 opposed, 0 abstention.   

WHEREAS, The building located at 4 East 54th Street is a town house built in 1898-1900, designed by McKim, Mead & White for William Earl Dodge Stokes, his son and his wife, Rita Hernandez de Alba de Costa, and other residents of the property include William H. & Ada S. Moore; and

WHEREAS, The Italian Renaissance style townhouse was designated as an individual landmark by LPC in 1967; and

WHEREAS, The townhouse has housed several non-profit organizations from 1955 until 1993; and

WHEREAS, The building was purchased by Banco di Napoli in 1993, and in 2002 was purchased by Kiton clothing company and now serves as their wholesale and retail operation in North America; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wants to make several exterior modifications to the building to define their retail presence on the block; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wants to restore two limestone piers to the center of the entry fence, that had been knocked down by a truck in the 1970’s, and relocate the original lanterns back to the tops of these center posts from their current location on the outlying piers; and

WHEREAS, The granite curbs of this entry fence would be filled in to complete the structure; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wants to install four bollards on the sidewalk in front of the building (provided appropriate permits and reports from other city agencies are obtained) to prevent any future damage to the building; and

WHEREAS, The applicant wants to create an exterior lighting plan that includes retrofitting the four lights that currently exist on the ground floor just inside the entry fence to illuminate the deep stoop; and

WHEREAS, Four up-lights would be introduced on the second floor balcony and be installed behind the existing limestone balustrade making them invisible from street level; and

WHEREAS, Two up-lights would be introduced on the third floor balcony, placed up against the grating for minimal visibility; and

WHEREAS, Red, pendant, retractable awnings, without skirts, would be installed on all 12 front façade windows, from the second to the fifth floors, and these awnings would be attached to the current wood window frames and would be in line with the mid-level sash and the mechanisms painted to match the black window frames; and

WHEREAS, Only the awnings over the second floor windows would have the Kiton logo on them and all the rest will be plain; and

WHEREAS, The applicant would be removing the logo plaque placed between the two east windows and retrofitting said windows; and

WHEREAS, The applicant is seeking to legalize the two windows on either side of the front door that they enlarged without LPC permit in 2003 and to legalize the two windows on the east side of the building that were added without LPC permit in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five is strongly opposed to legalizing work done without a permit, and some members of the Board even suggested to return the windows to their original state; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to make modifications the exterior of the building; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial for the legalization of the modifications done without a LPC permit.

The above resolution passed with a vote of  20 in favor, 9 opposed, 1 abstention.   

WHEREAS, 52 West 22nd  Street in the Ladies' Mile Historic District is an Italianate-style rowhouse built in 1851 and altered in the late 19th century; and

WHEREAS, The five-story building was used as a warehouse for Wolf Paper and Twine and is being converted to condominiums; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to enlarge the existing fifth floor, build a rooftop and rear yard additions and install a new storefront infill; and

WHEREAS, The façade work will include the removal of one step, the refurbishment of the existing stair stoop, and the recast and replacement of the railing; and

WHEREAS, On the ground floor, the existing bay will be restored, two glass and wood doors will be created, a wood and glass front door will be installed and a first floor show window will be refurbished; and

WHEREAS, The façade will be stripped of its red paint and the cornice fixed; and

WHEREAS, The existing wood windows will be replaced with new wood windows; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to build out the existing fifth floor up to twelve feet from the front face of the building, thereby enlarging the fourth and fifth floors and construct a rear yard addition; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has made the representation that none of the additions will be visible from any thoroughfares; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to construct rooftop and rear yard additions and install storefront infill at 52 West 22nd Street in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed with a vote of  35 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention. 

WHEREAS, The building located at 14 West 23rd Street, in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District was converted from a brownstone into a retail building by Henry Hardenbergh in 1882, and in 1892 the present cast-iron facade, designed by George H. Billings, was installed; and

WHEREAS, The site is the birthplace of Edith Wharton; and

WHEREAS, The application is to horizontally enlarge the existing 6th floor to accommodate office space; and

WHEREAS, The existing 6th floor is 545 square feet and the proposed plan will add an additional 770 square feet primarily to the back of the current unit; and

WHEREAS, The new 6th floor structure will be 10 feet high in the front and slope up to 12 feet high toward the back of the building; and

WHEREAS, The exterior finish of the structure will match the existing stucco clad finish on the existing 6th floor; and

WHEREAS, This 6th floor structure is set back 16 feet, 6 inches from the front of the building and will be slightly visible from Madison Park; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to enlarge the existing 6th floor at 14 West 23rd Street and regrets that the applicant has not made the addition totally invisible from the thoroughfares.

The above resolution passed with a vote of  35 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention. 

WHEREAS, 864 Broadway (between 17th and 18th Streets), located in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, is a four-story Georgian townhouse dating from around 1850; and

WHEREAS, It has become an apartment building with ground floor retail; and

WHEREAS, The former retail tenant, Ranch 1 restaurant, will be replaced with a similar "fast food" restaurant, Chipotle Grill; and 

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to replace the existing wood, plate glass, and aluminum door storefront with similar geometry and fenestration; and

WHEREAS, The applicant's proposed signs replicate the size and location of the existing signs; and

WHEREAS, No security grates are proposed; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has reconsidered the lighting details shown to the Landmarks Committee and provided a solution that is more appropriate to the Ladies’ Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The applicant’s new proposal for the lighting details will replace multiple, surface mounted, industrial style light fixtures with a cove type hidden light source that will "wash" the sign with light similar to those recently approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and more appropriate to the Ladies’ Mile Historic District;therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of this application to refurbish an existing storefront at 864 Broadway.

The resolution passed with a vote of  39 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.