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Landmarks
130 West 42nd Street, application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations to the base at the 42nd Street façade including new storefront infill, entrance canopy and signage.
At the scheduled monthly meeting of Community Board Five on Thursday, November 14, 2013, the Board passed the following resolution by a vote of 38 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining:
WHEREAS, 130 West 42nd Street was constructed in 1916-1918 by Helme & Corbett architects, and is known as the Bush Tower; and
WHEREAS, The building is a 32 stories tower, and an influential prototype for set-back skyscrapers, combining historical neo-Gothic detailing with modern pronounced vertical emphasis built for the Bush Terminal Company: and
WHEREAS, In 1985 the building was designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as an individual landmark; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant, proposes to remove the Circa 2011 painted metal, glass and brass storefront with new white painted metal and glass storefront including glass doors with glass transom above as follows:
- The aluminum clad east and west service doors will be replaced white painted metal and glass doors
• The center bay of the tripartite division of openings will be replaced with arched metal panel recalling the original limestone arch with glass clerestory window above glass storefront to be used for retail, creating double height space on the interior
• The existing double doors to the retail store will be replaced with new white painted metal & glass doors
• The existing double doors to the lobby will be replaced with new white painted metal and glass with approx. 5' x 6' x 10" high rectangular white metal canopy above to mark the office entrance and address
• Two retail blade signs, approximately 7'-9" high x 1'-6" deep, mounted to the stone façade flanking the retail arched window
WHEREAS, The design of the canopy is asymmetrical and distracts from the balance of the tripartite divisions and the white paint color is not harmonious with the original historic color palette and the blade signs are inappropriate and not in keeping with the historical character of the building; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the Certificate of Appropriateness of the applications of 130 West 42nd St. and Avenue of the Americas for replacement of lobby entrance canopy, new storefront doors and signage.