FRIENDS of the UPPER EAST SIDE HISTORIC DISTRICTS Spring 2011 Upper East Side Landmark Threatened with Demolitio n! In the coming weeks, FRIENDS will be confronted with one of our greatest preservation challenges to date. The owners of the individually designated City and Suburban Homes First Avenue Estate (the full-block complex from First to York Avenues between East 64th and East 65th Streets) have submitted an application for the demolition of 429 East 64th Street and 430 East 65th Street on the ground that they do not generate a sufficient economic return. As you may recall, the owner’s City and Suburban Homes First Avenue Estate, ca. 1919-1923 opposition to preservation began over seminal importance in the history exhausted. This application does not two decades ago. In August 1990, in of the development of affordable meet those criteria. one of its last moves before being housing. The owner sued to over- As stewards of the architectural legacy dissolved, the Board of Estimate turn the designation, and subsequently of the Upper East Side, we must do overturned the designation of 429 lost their final appeal in June of last everything in our power to fight East 64th Street and 430 East 65th year. Following their defeat in the this hardship application. And now, Street, two buildings in the complex. At courts, the owner submitted their we need your financial support to the urging of FRIENDS and Council application for demolition on the basis continue this endeavor. Please make Member Jessica Lappin, the Landmarks of an economic hardship. a contribution to protect the First Preservation Commission (LPC) began This is only the 18th hardship Avenue Estate, and the future of every the process of re-designating these two application that has been submitted to landmark building in New York City. n properties in 2006. The owner then the LPC since the Landmarks Law defaced the subject buildings by was enacted in 1965. The LPC should Visit www.friends-ues.org stripping them of their architectural only be asked to grant the demo- to make a contribution details and resurfacing the exterior lition of a landmark under the most online, or send a check to: with garish red stucco. Despite these strenuous of circumstances, when the FRIENDS 20 East 69th Street, #4B disfiguring alterations, the LPC re- economic hardship is genuine and all New York, NY 10021 designated the buildings, citing their other possible solutions have been Restored: 720 Park Avenue idiosyncratic design allowed several collection of photographs in the opportunities for moisture infiltration, building’s cellar. During initial con- causing corrosion of the ferrous steel struction, the building was photo- in the building’s skeleton. For the last graphed on a weekly basis, capturing the eighty years, much of this structural steel frame and masonry skin in various steel framing had only been protected states of completion. The photographs by a single layer of paint. Where the also show original configurations of paint failed, the expansive forces of rust decorative masonry which have since began to displace brickwork, limestone been altered, possibly by Candela ashlars, and even entire parapets. Walter B. Melvin Architects (WBMA) was retained by 720 Park Avenue to address these issues throughout the building. Repairs were initially performed on a triage basis but as more and more deterioration was discovered, WBMA soon recommended a full- scale restoration. This work eventually included reconstruction of parapets and building corners, masonry re- pointing, crack repairs, and cleaning. The decorative limestone – which 720 Park Avenue soon after completion exhibits a rich variety of preserved marine life remains – was salvaged, Located at the northwest corner of repaired and reinstalled. Work also Detail of setbacks overlooking Park Avenue Park Avenue and East 70th Street, in included replacement of skylights, the the heart of the Upper East Side repair of original iron drain pipes, and himself after the building was Historic District, 720 Park Avenue replacement of roofing and quarry tile completed. This collection of photo- was designed by eminent architect at terraces. graphs also helped establish the Rosario Candela in conjunction with The restoration of 720 Park Avenue age of later additions, such as a the firm Cross & Cross. Completed was aided by the discovery of a terrace greenhouse. Project-related in September 1929, a month before demolition work also revealed the stock market crash, this luxury interesting historic artifacts such apartment building epitomizes the as steel hoisting clamps and cables architectural exuberance of the late that had not been removed post- 1920s and is a prime example of the construction, period newspapers within development of Park Avenue in the walls and traces of the original blue- early twentieth century. It was during green mortar. this period that Park Avenue was Despite the intrusive nature of the transformed into an elegant boulevard, restoration, the building has not been its apartment buildings creating the radically changed, a testament to the uniform street wall that is characteristic careful and thoughtful work that of the avenue today. WBMA accomplished. The integrity of Above the 12th floor, the prim brick- the building has been restored, with- and-limestone base of 720 Park Avenue out any detriment to its remarkable devolves into a cacophony of set- appearance. Both the building owners backs, bay windows, chimneys, parapets and Walter B. Melvin Architects should and buttresses, evoking a Tudor-style be applauded for their investment in manor house that has developed the future of 720 Park Avenue. n over centuries. Unfortunately, this 720 Park Ave under construction page 2 Twenty-Eighth Annual Awards Young Friends Each year FRIENDS recognizes fine restoration, renovation, and advocacy work As summer approaches, we are wrap- on the Upper East Side, both in and out of the historic districts. FRIENDS held ping up our busiest school year to date, its Twenty-Eighth Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on March 15, 2011 at on target to reach a record number of The New York School of Interior Design. Hermes Mallea, a board member at students and school s! From lintels, FRIENDS, gave a dynamic presentation of this year’s awards. After the ceremony, gargoyles and stained glass to brownstone, honorees and guests headed to the adjacent art gallery for a spirited reception. limestone and brick, the buildings of the Upper East Side and East Harlem have functioned as an outdoor classroom for over 950 first and second graders this school yea r! Some of our success can be attributed to the expansion of our partnership with the Museum of the City of New York. Schools participating in our three visit program have the opportunity to follow up with a bonus session at the museum Emily Rafferty Council Member Daniel Garodnick (Advocacy Award Judith Berdy (Renaissance Award Presenter) Recipient) and Landmarks Preservation Commission (Restoration Award Recipient) to as part of their “Grid” program. This Chairman Robert Tierney (Advocacy Award Presenter) optional course reinforces architectural • The RENAISSANCE AWARD was presented by Emily Rafferty to the Central concepts and explores how city plan- Park Conservancy for the Ancient Playground & the Osborn Gates. ning helps ensure that communities serve the needs of their residents. Students • The ARCHI-TEACHER AWARD was presented by Andrew Dolkart to learn the various zones of the city and Jane Cowan. con-struct a model neighborhood based • The SUSTAINABILITY AWARD was presented by Lisa Kersavage to Regis on community needs conforming to High School for their Green Roof. Manhattan’s grid system. Many of our • The ADVOCACY AWARD was presented by Landmarks Preservation schools have enjoyed this new offering and the feedback from teachers and Commission Chair Robert Tierney to Council Member Daniel Garodnick. parents has been outstanding. • The RESTORATION AWARD was presented by Jane Swanson, on behalf of We love returning to our neighbor- Council Member Jessica Lappin, to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society hood schools each year, as we have for the Roosevelt Island Visitor Center Kiosk. become an integral part of their study • The TECHNOLOGY AWARD was presented by Christopher Gray to the of New York City. This year, we have Museum of the City of New York for their online Collections Portal. n encountered many new classrooms and hope they, too, will become old friends in yacht circles Roosevelt Island, enjoy the the years to come. n An East River View sunset, socialize, and listen as the city’s history comes alive over cocktails, hors Join FRIENDS for an exclusive tour d’oeuvres, and a buffet dinner. of the Upper East Side from the waters n of the East River aboard the aptly- named Lexington . With gleaming wooden handrails, teak decks and mahogany interiors, you could not ask for a more stylish or unique perspective of the Upper East Side. Francis Morrone, renowned architectural historian, will lead this special tour of the landmarks Tuesday, June 14th, 5:30pm Boarding, that line the river’s shore, including 6:00pm Departure, 9:00pm Return rarely seen views of the United Nations, Boat departs and returns to the NY Skyport Sutton Place, Rockefeller University, Marina, East 23rd Street & FDR Drive New York Hospital, the Queensboro $150 members, $175 non-members Bridge, and Gracie Mansion. As the page 3 Save the Dat e! Thursday, September 15, 2011 Join FRIENDS for an exciting the region’s transportation infrastruc- In 2008, at the request of Governor evening as we proudly honor Richard ture. In 1988, he was the Chairman of Paterson, Mr. Ravitch chaired a com- Ravitch at our Eighth Annual Am- the Charter Revision Commission of mission that designed a plan to finance bassador to the Upper East Side Award the City of New York. the MTA.