) ) REPORT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION Robert Thomas, Chair Commission Conference Room, One Parkway, 13 th Fl., 1515 Arch St. 30 June 1998 Present Robert Thomas, Chair Penelope Batcheler J. William Cornell Herbert Levy Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer R. Scott Jacob, Executive Secretary Also Rand K. Rosenbaum, Rosenbaum Design Group Christian A. Busch, C. A. Busch Consulting Edward lane, Datafac Architects Henry J. Kozlow Frank Auddino James Dart Theresa Stuhlman, Fairmount Park Commission Martha Wolf, Historic Bartram's Garden Margaret MacLaren Ulrich, Center City Residents Association Pejmar Makarechi Gavin Donaghy Samuel Olshin, Atkin, Olshin, Lawson-Bell and Associates William DeCarra Mr. Thomas, Chair, recognized a quorum and called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. 925 Chestnut Street, Federal Reserve Building Jefferson Hospital, Rothman Institute, Owner Christian Busch, Architect/Applicant DATE: 1925 PROPOSAL: Alterations to the new elevator tower, new ground-floor fenestration treatment, garden in ramp court This application involves revisions to a previously approved proposal for an elevator tower addition and ground-floor treatment in the ramp court. Modifications to the elevator plan include cladding the top floor in metal panels rather than marble and curving the west wall. Alterations at the ramp court include a slightly modified window and door treatment and a landscaped garden area. Christian Busch, architect for the project, showed the Committee samples of the four proposed metals for the cladding. The Committee did not object to the samples, but recommended that the staff review and approve the details of the work. Mr. Busch explained that he designed a curved window wall in the ramp court to connect it with the elevations to either side. Mr. Baron expressed concerns over incorporating a curve into this very angular building. Committee members agreed with Mr. Busch that a new addition to a secondary facade merits a new design element such as this slight curve. The proposal calls for an alteration to a previously approved window and drive-thru scheme. The applicant wishes to use bronze anodized aluminum spandrel panels instead of the original plan to use stone. Committee members did not object to these changes. Mr. Busch explained that the Institute wants to install a row of trees or shrubbery around the perimeter of the ramp court to keep pedestrians from congregating and smoking there. The proposal also includes three new halo-type illuminated signs on three sides of the new elevator
object to these changes. Mr. Busch explained that the Institute wants to install a row of trees or shrubbery around the perimeter of the ramp court to keep pedestrians from congregating and smoking there. The proposal also includes three new halo-type illuminated signs on three sides of the new elevator tower, and two brushed aluminum, backlit sign panels in the ramp court. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the metal cladding on the top of the new elevator tower, the curved window wall, the proposed signage, landscaping and bronze anodized aluminum door and spandrel panels. 701 Market Street The Brickstone Companies, Owner Jay Tuller, Architect/Applicant DATE: 1901 - storefront PROPOSAL: Alter doors to shopfront, black out windows This application involves altering the northwest corner bay of the Lits Department Store building from a four-door entrance to a shop window. Several adjacent shop windows will receive an opaque black film to black out windows. Rand Rosenbaum, representing the applicant, explained that the proposal no longer calls for the removal of the wood frames at the corner entrance. Committee members recommended the applicant retain the wood doors as well, and simply remove the door handles to alleviate any confusion for pedestrian traffic. Mr. Rosenbaum seemed amenable to the recommendation. Ms. Batcheler asked for photographic documentation of the handles for the Commission's file. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the opaque film over the windows and of removing the handles from the northwest corner entrance to create a new shopfront. 2 J 401 North Broad Street Nathan Jacobs, Owner Edward Lane, Architect/Applicant DATE: 1930 PROPOSAL: New windows, fencing and louvers This proposal involves installing new louvers in windows facing North Broad Street and removing other louvers and fixing new windows in their place. The tenant seeks to place large new cooling units on the north side of the building, underneath a ramp screened by fencing and aluminum panels. Edward lane, architect for the project, explained that different mechanical needs necessitate the use of both corrugated and chain link fences. Committee members requested a black vinyl coating on the chain link fences. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval, with black vinyl coating on the chain link fences, with staff to review and approve details. 1219 Locust Street Henry Kozlow, Owner/Applicant DATE: 1892 PROPOSAL: Cut a garage door in rear facade This proposal calls for cutting a garage door into
link fences. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval, with black vinyl coating on the chain link fences, with staff to review and approve details. 1219 Locust Street Henry Kozlow, Owner/Applicant DATE: 1892 PROPOSAL: Cut a garage door in rear facade This proposal calls for cutting a garage door into the rear facade of this building. The garage will face St. James Street, adjacent to several rowhouses. Ms. Batcheler recommended the applicant chose a darker color for the garage door. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval, with staff to approve the color of the door. 2-8 West Girard Avenue First Union Bank, Owner Dominic Aspite, Applicant DATE: 1877 PROPOSAL: Illuminated and non-illuminated signage This proposal entails changing the plastic faces on existing signs, several of which are illuminated. Mr. Baron explained that the lack of Historical Commission approval for the existing signs creates a problem regarding approval of the new faces. Committee members objected to the amount of signage. The applicant stated that the signage proposal has received zoning approval. The Committee decided to table the proposal until the applicant could send a design professional to discuss the signage and possible modifications with the Committee. 3 The Committee voted to recommend tabling the issue awaiting further information. 1100 South Front Street Frank Audinno, Owner Dominic Aspite, Applicant DATE: c. 1840 PROPOSAL: Illuminated signage on roof of building This proposal calls for a large, illuminated, plastic-faced sign over the roof of this rowhouse to advertize the restaurant occupying the building to highway traffic on I-95. The applicant seeks to demolish part of the chimney in order to create a ledge to set the sign. Mr. Baron asked the applicant whether he considered installing a wood sign lit with spotlights. Mr. Audinno stated that he already had the sign constructed. Mr. Cornell objected to the proposal, and commented on the possibility of setting a dangerous precedent by approving a plastic box roof sign like this, and expressed concern that others along I-95 will want this sort of signage. Mr. Levy requested the applicant submit clear drawings that reflect the Committee's recommendations to set the sign to the side of the chimney without demolishing any portion of it. Three of the four Committee members present voted to recommend approval of mounting the proposed sign on the roof without demolishing any part of the chimney, and attaching it to the rear of the
to set the sign to the side of the chimney without demolishing any portion of it. Three of the four Committee members present voted to recommend approval of mounting the proposed sign on the roof without demolishing any part of the chimney, and attaching it to the rear of the chimney, no more than four feet above the building. They noted that a billboard exists about a block south on Front Street. Mr. Cornell dissented. 1210 Lombard Street, St. Peter Claver School Holy Ghost Fathers, Owner Sister Mary Paula Cancienne, Applicant DATE: 1906 - 1908 PROPOSAL: Apply door moldings This proposal entails installing a molding around the jamb of the former front door that the owner removed and filled in with cinder blocks before historic designation. To reduce costs, the applicant proposes a simple square molding rather than the rounded molding found on the remaining portion of the doorframe. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval, with staff to review and approve the choice of a stock trim and color. 4 J Bartram's Garden, 54 th Street and Lindbergh Blvd. John Bartram Association, Owner James Dart, Architect/Applicant DATE: 18 th Century PROPOSAL: New building Mr. Thomas recused himself from the discussion and vote owing to his professional association with the applicant. This proposal calls for constructing a building to hold public lavatories and educational program offices on the site of a former structure. The new building would resemble a small hay barn. James Dart, architect for the project, stated that three or four generations of structures formerly occupied the proposed building site. He added that some evidence demonstrates that one of the structures was of frame-on-stone construction, which the proposed addition emulates in a contemporary fashion. Committee members did not object. to the design, scale or materials of the new addition. Three of the four Committee members present voted to recommend approval. Mr. Thomas recused himself. 2213 Locust Street Pejman Makarechi, Owner/Applicant DATE: 1872 PROPOSAL: Iron grates, flower boxes and fence This proposal calls for reconstructing the stolen basement grates and building a new fence to keep garbage from collecting in the basement stairway. The owner also proposes iron window boxes. Committee members objected to the ornate appearance of the proposed flower boxes and gated fence, but approved of the basement window grate replacement. The Committee recommended the applicant install a simplified, pipe-style rail that complements the existing main rail,
in the basement stairway. The owner also proposes iron window boxes. Committee members objected to the ornate appearance of the proposed flower boxes and gated fence, but approved of the basement window grate replacement. The Committee recommended the applicant install a simplified, pipe-style rail that complements the existing main rail, and with a handrail that angles down to follow the stairs. The Committee asked the applicant to abandon the window box proposal in the interest of retaining uniformity on this block. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the reconstructed basement grate and a simple pipe-style rail that complements the existing main rail, and with a handrail that angles down to follow the stairs, with staff to review and approve details. 5 1900 Pine Street Allan Baumholtz, Owner/Applicant DATE: 1860 PROPOSAL: Roll down grate installed in a pent eave This proposal calls for the legalization of a full-width, open-mesh, roll down security grate. This grate replaces a smaller version that did not successfully protect the store from a burglary. Mr. Baron read a letter from Mr. Baumholtz into the record regarding the necessity of installing the grate. The Historical Commission staff received reports that the installation of the new grates necessitated the removal of a portion of the original storefront cornice, which the pent eave covers. Mr. Levy suggested the Committee include a stipulation in its recommendation for the restoration of the original cornice should this applicant or a future owner remove the pent. Committee members agreed and asked for photographic documentation of the cornice for the Commission files. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the security grate, with a stipulation for the restoration of the original cornice should this applicant or a future owner remove the pent, and photographic and descriptive documentation of the cornice for the Commission files. 2103 Delancey Street Stanford Erickson, Owner Carl Massara, Architect/Applicant DATE: c. 1865 PROPOSAL: Replace rear deck This proposal calls for redesigning and rebuilding a rear deck and railing on a street faced by several houses. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. 412 Lombard Street Kersher Israel Congregation, Owner Samuel Olshin, Architect/Applicant DATE: 1958 PROPOSAL: Restore stuccoed facade and rehabilitate fence This proposal entails restoring the stuccoed facade and rehabilitating the iron fence of this synagogue. The fence would include restored iron posts but with simplified balusters based on budget considerations. The owner intends to retain the
Congregation, Owner Samuel Olshin, Architect/Applicant DATE: 1958 PROPOSAL: Restore stuccoed facade and rehabilitate fence This proposal entails restoring the stuccoed facade and rehabilitating the iron fence of this synagogue. The fence would include restored iron posts but with simplified balusters based on budget considerations. The owner intends to retain the one piece of existing original rail on site. Ms. Batcheler expressed concern that the proposed scoring pattern on the stucco does not 6 match the historic photographs. Samuel Olshin, architect for the project, agreed to redesign the scored demarcation lines to match the 1933 photograph from the Commission file. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. 1901-1905 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse Plaza Rittenhouse Plaza, Inc., Owner Dominic Aspite, Applicant DATE: 1926 PROPOSAL: New windows Mr. Thomas recused himself from voting in order to present the application to the Committee. This proposal involves installing approximately fifteen hundred new aluminum windows and capping the existing frames throughout the building. The capping on the frames closely matches the existing frames but shrinks the glass width of the new windows by two inches. The proposal shows a reduction in the depth of the putty slope to about 1/8 of an inch, which will make the windows seem quite shallow. The window manufacturer can rectify this, but doing so will either greatly increase the cost or sacrifice the tilt-in cleaning feature. Mr. Baron pointed out that with similar applications, such as the Barclay Hotel, the Commission approved overall window replacements with closer attention to the historic putty slope and mullion and frame width on the lower-floor window replacements. Mr. Thomas agreed to have the second-floor windows redesigned to match the historic windows more closely, in either wood or aluminum. The three remaining Committee members voted to recommend approval of the proposed window replacements, with the second-floor windows redesigned to match the historic windows more closely, in either wood or aluminum. 1831 Addison Street William and Kathleen DeCara, Owners/Applicants DATE: c. 1840 PROPOSAL: Install vinyl shutters This proposal calls for legalizing the bolting of vinyl shutters onto the brick facade. Staff objected to the new shutters because of material, design and method of attachment, and noted that the Commission has consistently asked for wood shutters with hardware and correct panel and louver patterns. Mr. Levy noted that the shutters have panels on all floors rather 7 than louvers on the upper floors. Mr. Cornell commented on the
of material, design and method of attachment, and noted that the Commission has consistently asked for wood shutters with hardware and correct panel and louver patterns. Mr. Levy noted that the shutters have panels on all floors rather 7 than louvers on the upper floors. Mr. Cornell commented on the high costs of wood shutters as opposed to vinyl, and recommended allowing the applicant to keep the vinyl shutters for that reason. Mr. Baron showed the Committee a shutter price sheet listing a pair of appropriate shutters at about $200.00. He explained that on simple homes like this one, shutters constitute a significant amount of the decoration. Mr. Levy suggested the applicant consider replacing the first-floor shutters with wood, with the correct slide bar configuration. Mr. Thomas stated that as the house did not have shutters at the time of designation, these do not constitute a replacement. Mr. Cornell recommended approval of the new vinyl shutters owing to the financial hardship wood shutters would create. Mr. Levy recommended tabling the issue until the applicant can submit a cost estimate of replacing the first-floor shutters with wood, with the correct slide bar configuration. Mr. Thomas recommended approving the new shutters because they do not constitute a replacement and the owner already installed them. He stipulated that any future shutter replacements should follow the correct historic model. Respectfully submitted, R Executive Secretary 8