COFA for 647 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, Docket 058804
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THE NEW YORK CITY LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION 1 CENTRE STREET 9TH FLOOR NORTH NEW YORK NY 10007 TEL: 212 669-7700 FAX: 212 669-7780 PERMIT CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS ISSUE DATE: EXPIRATION DATE: DOCKET #: COFA #: 09/30/2005 09/20/2011 05-8804 COFA 06-2546 ADDRESS BOROUGH: BLOCK/LOT: 647 FIFTH AVENUE INDIVIDUAL LANDMARK GEORGE W. VANDERBILT RESIDENCE MANHATTAN 1287/71 Display This Permit While Work Is In Progress ISSUED TO: Kelley Scharf-Property Manager Olympic Tower Associates 645 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10022 Pursuant to Section 25-307 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, at the Public Meeting of September 20, 2005, following the Public Meeting and Public Hearing of August 9, 2005, voted to approve a proposal for alterations at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed July 14, 2005. The proposed work, as approved, consists of removing the existing storefront infill, retaining the existing, bronze-finish, egg and dart perimeter framing, installing new laminated glass storefront windows, transoms and glass doors, installing new bronze finish transom bars and base, replacing the existing signs flanking the entrance doors with new, stainless steel signs, installing new, stainless steel lettering on the windows, and installing tan canvas, retractable awnings at the second, third, fourth and fifth floor windows, as shown on presentation boards consisting of historic and existing conditions photographs, photomontages, material samples, a site plan and drawings A-300 and A-306 dated August 9, 2005, and drawings A-301, A-302, A-303, A-304, A-305 dated September 20, 2005, all prepared by Craig Bachellier, and presented at the Public Meeting. The proposal, as initially presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of August 9, 2005, included installing new, frameless glass storefront infill and awnings with signage on the upper stories, as shown in historic and existing conditions photographs, photomontages, material samples, a site plan and drawings A-000, A-001, A-100, A-200, A-300, A-301, A-302, A-303, A-304, A-305, and A-306 dated August 9, 2005, prepared by Craig Bachellier. In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the designation report describes the George W. Vanderbilt Residence, Individual Landmark, as a Louis XV style mansion designed by Hunt & Hunt and built in 1902-05, with a one story addition designed by Charles L. Fraser and built in 1917. The Commission further noted that Certificate of Appropriateness 97-1786 was issued October 10, 1995, approving the installation of two flagpoles and flags on the second floor balcony, and a sign between the second and third floors; and that Certificate of Appropriateness 96-0031 was issued October 10, 1995, for the restoration of the facade and construction of a rooftop addition. With regard to this proposal, the Commission found-that the existing storefront infill is less than 10 years old, and therefore its removal will not remove significant historic material; that the finely articulated display window framing recalls the details of the 1912 commercial alteration, and will not diminish the relationship of the building’s base to the ornate, highly detailed upper stories; that the proposed storefront infill, with its fine bronze framing, delicate articulation, detail, and scale, will not draw undue attention to the modern storefront and away from building’s refined highly detailed marble façade; that the proposed storefront infill will help unify the visual integrity of the building’s architectural features, and will carefully integrate the modern commercial ground floor with the original mansion; and that the overall proposal will not diminish the special historical and architectural character of the George W. Vanderbilt House. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the work to be appropriate to the building and voted to approve the application. The Commission authorized the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness upon receipt, review and approval of two sets of signed and sealed Department of Building filing drawings showing the approved design. Subsequently, on September 29, 2005, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings A-001, A-100, A-200, A-300, A-301, A-302, A-303, A-304, A-305, A-306 and A-307 dated revised September 22, 2005, prepared by Scott Michael Stapleton, R.A. Accordingly, staff reviewed the drawings and found that the proposal approved by the Commission has been maintained. Based on this and the above findings, the drawings have been marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness 06-2546 is being issued. This permit is issued on the basis of the building and site conditions described in the application and disclosed during the review process. By accepting this permit, the applicant agrees to notify the Commission if the actual building or site conditions vary or if original or historic building fabric is discovered. The Commission reserves the right to amend or revoke this permit, upon written notice to the applicant, in the event that the actual building or site conditions are materially different from those described in the application or disclosed during the review process. All approved drawings are marked approved by the Commission with a perforated seal indicating the date of approval. The work is limited to what is contained in the perforated documents. Other work or amendments to this filing must be reviewed and approved separately. The applicant is hereby put on notice that performing or maintaining any work not explicitly authorized by this permit may make the applicant liable for criminal and/or civil penalties, including imprisonment and fines. This letter constitutes the permit; a copy must be prominently displayed at the site while work is in progress. Please direct inquiries to Tara Harrison. Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Debra Vaughn, Code LLC cc: William Neeley, Deputy Director of Preservation PAGE 2 Issued: 9/30/05 DOCKET: 05-8804.