THE REPORT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION Arlene Matzkin, Chairperson Commission Conference Room Suite 1301, 1401 Arch Street 23 November 1993 Present Arlene Matzkin, AIA, Chairperson Penelope Batchelor, Historical Architect David Hollenberg, Historical Architect, National Park Service Don Stevenson, Sherwood, Henderson, architects Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Historic Preservation Planner Lori Plavin Salganicoff, Historic Preservation Specialist Also Pam DeLissio, Kearsley Home Ruth Hilsee, Kearsley Home Reverand Marguerite Miles, Kearsley Home Clarke Van Sant, MPB Architects Ted Watson, MPB Architects William Blades, Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation Ed Bance PROPOSALS 49th Street and Monument Avenue -- Kearsley Home Clarke Van Sant and Ted Watson, MPB Architects This proposal, approved in concept at the 9 September 1992 Historical Commission meeting, is now before the Commission for final approval. The proposed project is an 84-bed skilled nursing facility with 60 personal care apartments. This would be an addition placed at the rear of the large 1861 main building. The proposed building would rise one story high at the east elevation and, maintaining its roof height, would become two stories high at the west as the hill on which it is built slopes downward. The massing of the building is the same as was approved in concept in 1992. It would connect at grade to the middle of the historic building's rear elevation and sits to the rear of it. The new connection would not necessitate a new Report of the Architectural Committee 2 23 November 1993 opening or new framing to be created on the original building as a veranda already exists there. In addition to building the new facility, a non-historic stair tower on the rear elevation would be removed. Other proposed changes to the site include consolidation of parking, entrance reconfiguration and some road widening, and the development of terraced areas and walkways to the northeast of the new building. Arlene Matzkin commented that the Committee's main concern when this project was first proposed, that the new building be placed behind the old, has been accomplished with the proposed design. The Committee unanimously recommended approval of the plans as presented, with the exception of Penny Batchelor who abstained from the vote. 220-222 Spruce Street This proposal was approved in concept by the Historical Commission on 10 November 1993; the only change is the addition of materials information to the drawings submitted. The project consists of the
the plans as presented, with the exception of Penny Batchelor who abstained from the vote. 220-222 Spruce Street This proposal was approved in concept by the Historical Commission on 10 November 1993; the only change is the addition of materials information to the drawings submitted. The project consists of the construction of a rear addition to a corner house on Spruce Street that would be somewhat visible from American Street. The addition would be set back from American Street by a full lot-width and almost completely hidden from street-level view by an existing 6' wall; only a clerestory window at the top of the addition would be visible. This window would be a Pella- type window with muntins on the inside and outside and a black divider in-between. The Society Hill Civic Association was informed about this meeting by the Commission staff but were not present. Duane Perry, the owner and applicant, informed Randal Baron prior to this meeting that the project had been described to the Association and that they had no objections to the addition. The Committee recommended approval of this addition. 2501 Parkway - Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Building The Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company proposed to cover the portion of the two carved inscriptions which bear the name THE FIDELITY MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY over both the main entrance to the building and the Olive Street bridge. The name Report of the 3 23 November 1993 Architectural Committee change would be accomplished by placing a 33'x1' cast stone plaque bearing Reliance's name and held with 32 bolts over the original name. The inscription style would be similar but not exact to the original typeface. The Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation holds a facade easement on the property, according to the Executive Vice President of that Corporation, William Blades. His staff is undecided about this issue. Mr. Blades explained that although large bronze plaques have already been placed at quite noticeable areas of the building, Reliance Standard believes that the presence of the other company's name anywhere on the building would be undesirable. Committee members thought that the inscription, which is high above the sidewalk, is barely noticed by the public and that this new plaque would in fact draw attention to the alteration. Their concerns about this proposal included the number of bolts and subsequent holes required, the shadow which would doubtlessly be cast on the remaining
inscription, which is high above the sidewalk, is barely noticed by the public and that this new plaque would in fact draw attention to the alteration. Their concerns about this proposal included the number of bolts and subsequent holes required, the shadow which would doubtlessly be cast on the remaining inscription below the over-plaque, and the probability that a perfect color match would not be achieved. It was thought by the Committee that the entire inscription is a part of the building and not just replaceable ornamentation. Although the Committee recommended to decline this proposal, Richard Tyler believed that the proposal should be heard with the applicants present. The Committee, therefore, will defer final recommendation regarding the proposed plaque until the applicants are able to attend a Committee meeting. 118 North 3rd Street Ed Bance, Contractor This proposal is to place a full-width awning over the top 2' of the storefront of this building, which houses an art gallery. Applicants proposed the awning with two purposes in mind -- 1) to advertise the business, and 2) to provide solar protection for the celluloid art which is typically carried in the gallery and displayed in the window. The Committee recognized the high degree of integrity of the storefront and deemed it too significant to be covered in the manner proposed. In particular, the proposal would hide the marble pier capitals and the decorative transoms over the two doors. Report of the Architectural Committee 4 23 November 1993 The Committee recommended that the applicants investigate the following suggested solutions which are given in order of Committee preference: 1) A clear protective film that may be hung inside of the storefront glass or applied directly to it. The store's logo and name would appear on the glass itself. 2) A sign that projects perpendicularly from the building. 3) An awning, located in the main central window between the columns, that would contain the same information as the awning proposed originally. This awning could have side panels to give protection from the suns rays. The transoms above the doors and the columns flanking this window should not be covered. There being no further business, the Committee adjourned at 4:00pm. Respectfully submitted, Lori Plavin Salganicoff Lori Plavin Salganicoff [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Signature of "Lori Plavin Salganicoff" appears in cursive script above the typed name at the bottom of the document.]