MINUTES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 18 October 1978 Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman Present: Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission Theodore T. Bartley, A.I.A., Preservation Committee of the American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter. Henry J. Magaziner, F.A.I.A., Historical Architect, Mid-Atlantic Region, U. S. National Park Service. Erling J. Pedersen, A.I.A., Old Philadelphia Development Corporation. Richard Tyler, Historian. Patricia A. Siemiatkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. Also : Eleanor Gesemay, Save Spruce Street Committee. David Goldstein, Architect, to present proposal for 248 Market Street. Theodore Newbold, to present proposal for 36 North Front Street. Antonio Sabatino, Architect, to present proposal for 302 Lombard Street. G. Craig Scheller, Deputy Executive Director, Philadelphia City Planning Commission. SUBMISSIONS 233 Rainbridge Street, rear court, Debbie Valenti, designer. The Committee recommends the approval in concept of the proposal to restore the rear court at 233 Rainbridge Street. It requests, however, that the drawings be revised to include door and shutter details, the correctly proportioned transom, gutter and downspout, and a note indicating the removal of the remaining stucco. The Committee recommends that the staff be authorized to approve these revisions upon proper submission. 248 Market Street, David Alan Associates, architects. The Committee recommends the approval in concept of the proposal to renovate the second, third, fourth and fifth floors of 248 Market Street. It requests, however, that the drawings be revised to include details of the dormers, the doors to the fire escapes, the windows which should be two over two double hung sash made to fit the existing openings, and a note regarding the repair of the cornices to match the existing cornices. In its review, the Committee observed that the window detail submitted had heavier mullions than meeting rails and asked that this be corrected; details of the several sizes of windows should be presented in the revised drawing. The Committee recommends that the staff be authorized to approve these revisions upon proper submission, and adds that inasmuch as this project will not constitute a full restoration, the building cannot yet be considered for a plaque. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 18 October 1978 36 North Front Street, Theodore Newbold, owner. Mr. Newbold presented a proposal for the alteration of the ground floor of 36 North Front Street. The proposal specifies the complete removal of the existing ground floor facade and the intrusion of a ramp.
a plaque. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 18 October 1978 36 North Front Street, Theodore Newbold, owner. Mr. Newbold presented a proposal for the alteration of the ground floor of 36 North Front Street. The proposal specifies the complete removal of the existing ground floor facade and the intrusion of a ramp. The Committee strongly recommends the rejection of this proposal. 717, 719, 721 and 723 Spruce Street, Carl Massara Associates, architect. Following some review of the proposal for 717, 719, 722 and 723 Spruce Street, the Committee observed a number of discrepancies between the drawings submitted and the photographs in the files. In addition, the Committee had no rehabilitation specifications from the Redevelopment Authority for guidance. In view of these difficulties, the submission was tabled until the meeting of 15 November. The Committee urges that the architect attend the November meeting of the Committee. 302 Lombard Street, Antonio Sabatino, architect. The Committee recommends the approval in concept of the proposal to restore 302 Lombard Street. It requests, however, that the drawings be revised to include a detail of the fanlight, a raising of the meeting rail on the shutters, a brick band course under the cornice, the alight dropping of the basement windows, a detail of the cornice, and a note indicating that the facade at the first floor only will be reconstructed. The Committee recommends that the staff be authorized to approve these revisions upon proper submission. 109 Elfreth's Alley, Joseph McCaffrey, owner. The Committee recommends the approval of the proposal to restore the windows, door and doorstep piece of 109 Elfreth's Alley with 111 Elfreth's Alley as the model for the frontispiece. The Committee noted that the openings of 111 Elfreth's Alley were lower than those at 109 and urged that 8" by 10" panes be the guide for the restoration of the sash; the result may be different from the pane configuration of 111 Elfreth's Alley. The Committee also noted that the shutters now at 109 Elfreth's Alley are incorrect and that the door at 111 is not historically accurate; it should not be used as a model for 109. 700-714 Spruce Street, Theodore T. Bartley, Jr., architect. Following a presentation by Mr. Bartley of the existing condition as shown in the drawings prepared for the Historic American Buildings Survey and of some historical data, the Committee reviewed the proposal for the restoration of the Spruce Street and
for 109. 700-714 Spruce Street, Theodore T. Bartley, Jr., architect. Following a presentation by Mr. Bartley of the existing condition as shown in the drawings prepared for the Historic American Buildings Survey and of some historical data, the Committee reviewed the proposal for the restoration of the Spruce Street and Seventh Street facades of this set of houses. The Committee approved the proposal in concept and made several recommendations: 1) the two later windows at the second floor in the western bay of 700-702 Spruce Street should be eliminated; 2) the two later windows at the second and third floors of the northern end of the Seventh Street facade should be eliminated; 3) the door, steps and railing at the southern end should also be eliminated; 4) the shutters at the basement windows should be eliminated; 5) the cornice return at the northern end should be reduced in length to match that at the southern end, and 6) Mr. Bartley should conduct a structural [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: One circled phrase on the page: "meeting rail" is circled in what appears to be blue or black pen, located in the paragraph about 302 Lombard Street.] ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEES 3 18 October 1978 investigation of the blind opening on the first floor to determine whether or not a window ever existed there. Mr. Bartley abstained from voting on this submission. The Committee also discussed the questions of activity and light at the first floor and basement levels between the historic facades and the proposed new interior structure. Final approval must await review of working drawings by the Committee and Commission. PROBLEMS 103 Chestnut Street. The Committee examined a photograph of the work completed at 103 Chestnut Street without a building permit. It strongly recommends that the Commission not approve a retroactive permit to legalize this work and that the owners be required to restore the opening. PLAQUES The requests for plaques were tabled until the next meeting owing to the lateness of the hour. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Richard Tyler Historian RT mdc