The Minutes of the Architectural Committee Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission David Hollenberg, Chairman 26 October 1989 Present: David Hollenberg, Architect, Chairman of the Committee Penelope Batcheler, Architect David DeLong, Architect John Dickey, American Institute of Architects Herbert Levy, Architect Donald Stevenson, Architect Patricia Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Preservation Planner Daniel Simcox, Executive Secretary Also: Margaret Westfield, Westfield Architects to present plans for alterations at 105 Fitzwater Street. Sabrina Soong, Soong Associates, Inc., to present plans for alterations at 248 Market Street. John Teets, AIA, to present plans for alterations at 1011 E. Washington Lane Charles Evers and John Andrew, Tony Atkin and Associates, to present plans for alterations to One Mellon Bank Center Robert Bruennig and D. Colman Witte, to present plans for alterations at Rittenhouse Plaza, 1901 Walnut Street. Rudy D'Alessandro, to present plans for the installation of iron gates at the American Philosophical Society, at 427 Chestnut Street. Robin Reshetar, Architect, to present plans for the partial demolition of a backyard wall for parking at 301 S. 17th Street. Daniel DiGiacomo, attorney, to present plans for the replacement of a door at 2027 Pine Street. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 26 October 1989 Approvals 105 Fitzwater Street : Approval Rittenhouse Plaza : Approval 339 South Street : Approval Approvals, contingent upon recommendations. 248 Market Street: Contingent upon the preparation of a more accurate rendering of the cornice on the plan of record. 1011 E. Washington Lane: Contingent upon the removal of the kick in the proposed roof in the garage. One Mellon Bank Center: Contingent upon the re-design of the proposed entrance to retain the continuity of the horizontal elements of the building; and upon the submission of sight line studies from Chestnut and Broad Streets on the plan of record. 301 S. 17th Street: Contingent upon the submission of a drawing for a gate within three months. 2027 Pine Street: Contingent upon minor modifications to the design of the door. Disapprovals 427 Chestnut Street, American Philosophical Society ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 26 October 1989 105 Fitzwater Street, Margaret Westfield, Architect. Ms. Westfield presented plans for a substantial rehabilitation of this small three-and-one-half story house. This project is being undertaken by the Octavia Hill Corporation and will be submitted for certification by the National Park Service for receipt of the Rehabilitation Tax Credit. Ms. Westfield noted that this proposal does not include any changes to the
a substantial rehabilitation of this small three-and-one-half story house. This project is being undertaken by the Octavia Hill Corporation and will be submitted for certification by the National Park Service for receipt of the Rehabilitation Tax Credit. Ms. Westfield noted that this proposal does not include any changes to the adjacent property. The Committee discussed the application and voted to recommend a final approval of this project. Mr. Levy abstained from voting on this matter. 248 Market Street, Sabrina Soong, Architect, Sabrina Soong, Associates, Inc. The Committee reviewed the applicant's plans for the repair of an existing bracketed wood cornice and the placement of several condenser units atop the roof of the existing building. The Committee voted to recommend approval of this proposal, contingent upon the preparation and submission of a more accurate rendering of the existing cornice. The Committee suggested that the applicant consider placing any proposed signage for the building within the frieze of the storefront entablature. 1011 E. Washington Lane, John Teets, Architect. The Committee reviewed the applicant's plans for the construction of a new garage for the Founder's Residence of the New Covenant Church within the Awbury Arboretum. The proposed new garage will have a pitched roof and be faced on all elevations with shingle siding panels. Following some discussion, the Committee voted to recommend final approval for this project subject to minor revision. The Committee asked that the shape of the roof be redesigned to eliminate the roof kick on the west elevation. One Mellon Bank Center, Charles Eyers and John Andrew of Tony Atkin and Associates presented plans for alterations to One Mellon Bank Center. The proposed alterations include the conversion of an existing window opening on the Chestnut Street elevation into a handicapped accessible entrance. Mr. Eyers also presented a proposal for interior modifications including the addition of an interior stair tower. Following considerable discussion, the Committee agreed that the design of the proposed new entrance should align with existing horizontal elements on the building including the stone coarsing and fenestration. In addition, Mr. Hollenberg requested that the architects provide sight line studies from Chestnut Street and from Broad Street to assure that the stair tower which punctures the roof will not be visible from the street. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 4 26 October 1989 The Committee voted to recommend final approval for this project, contingent upon the preceding recommendations. 427 Chestnut Street, the American
from Chestnut Street and from Broad Street to assure that the stair tower which punctures the roof will not be visible from the street. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 4 26 October 1989 The Committee voted to recommend final approval for this project, contingent upon the preceding recommendations. 427 Chestnut Street, the American Philosophical Society, Mr. Rudy D'Alessandro, J.S. Cornell and Son. Mr. D'Alessandro explained the Society's desire to install lighter metal doors with a decorative mesh for ease of operation. The original doors would be secured permanently in an open position. The Committee expressed concern over this proposal and agreed that the existing historic doors should remain operable. The Committee offered several suggestions - the use of security guards to open the doors in the morning and close them in the evening, investigation of the door hinges and manner of door suspension, and the installation of glass doors within the interior vestibule area. The Committee voted to recommend disapproval of the proposal and exploration of the various alternatives suggested. Rittenhouse Plaza, 1901 Walnut Street, Robert Breunning and D. Colman Witte. Mr. Breunning and Mr. Witte presented a proposal to remove an existing revolving door on the 19th Street side of the Rittenhouse Plaza and to install two sets of swinging doors. Mr. Witte noted that evidence of an old hinge remains, and that they would like to install wooden interior doors and metal exterior doors, similar to those at the Walnut Street entrance. Mr. Breunning added that the proposed new doors would provide a higher level of security for the building's tenants. After some discussion, the Committee voted enthusiastically to recommend a final approval of this restoration proposal. 301 S. 17th Street, Robin Reshetar, Architect. Mr. Reshetar explained his interest in removing a segment of an existing brick wall to provide a parking space at the rear of this property. He informed the Committee that several other properties on the block maintained such spaces, and that the condition of the rear wall was not good. He concluded by expressing his further wish to install an iron gate to obscure the view of the parking space. Following considerable discussion regarding the logistics of the proposal, the Committee voted to recommend final approval, contingent upon the submission, within three months, of a drawing for the aforementioned iron gate. 2027 Pine Street, Daniel DiGiacomo, attorney, presented plans for the replacement of a door at 2027
the parking space. Following considerable discussion regarding the logistics of the proposal, the Committee voted to recommend final approval, contingent upon the submission, within three months, of a drawing for the aforementioned iron gate. 2027 Pine Street, Daniel DiGiacomo, attorney, presented plans for the replacement of a door at 2027 Pine Street. Following considerable discussion, the Committee voted to recommend final approval contingent upon a modification of the door design. The ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 5 26 October 1989 Committee asked that the glazing be clear rather than leaded glass and that the glazed panels be rectangular in shape. The Committee also suggested that the door be painted rather than stained. 339 South Street. The Committee reviewed the applicant's application for the installation of a flat wall sign on the aforementioned premises. The proposed sign will be placed on a non-historic storefront and will damage no historic fabric. The Committee voted to recommend a final approval of the proposed sign. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Daniel Simcox, Executive Secretary