MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 17 February 1982 Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman Present: Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission. Theodore T. Bartley, Jr., A.I.A., Preservation Committee, American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter. Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Patricia Siemiontkowski, Architectural Historian Also: Kent Roberts, John Lander, Ken Clark and Ed Kelly of Girard College and Bill Hawthore of Hawthore Demolition Contractors to request permission to demolish House Groups A,B,C,D,E and F on the Girard College campus. Martin Rosenblum, Architect, to present his proposal for the restoration of 722 South Front Street Dan Cathers and Gregory Clement of Tectonic Resources, In- corporated and John Milner of John Milner Associates to plans for alterations to the Philadelphia College of Art at Broad and Pine Streets. Michael McCann of Hans F. Stein Associates to present plans for the rehabilitation of the building at the northeast corner of 4th and Race Streets. Arthur Jones to discuss with the Committee his preliminary plans for the rehabilitation of 427 Chestnut Street. DEMOLITIONS Girard College. Messrs. Roberts, Lander, Clark, Kelly and Hawthorne appeared before the members of the Architectural Committee to request permission to demolish House Groups A,B,C,D,E and F on the Girard College campus. Built in the 1920's, these classically proportioned buildings were designed specifically to house the College's youngest boys. Upon the invitation of the College, Mr. Levy and a member of the Commission staff visited the College to inspect House Groups A,B,C,D,E and F. Having stood vacant for approximately 15 years, Mr. Levy found the buildings to have suffered considerable deterioration particularly on their interiors. As recommended by Mr. Levy during his on-site inspection of the buildings, the College studied the possibility of retaining a single, central pavilion located at the end of the campus drive. The pavilion which acts as a terminus ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 17 February 1982 to the drive also serves as a screen for the buildings rising above the wall behind it. Retention of the building, however, would add considerably to the total cost of demolition estimated at $148,000. The additional expense would increase the College's demolition costs by approximately $70,000. Owing to the extremely poor condition of the buildings and no immediately foreseeable use for them, the Committee voted to recommend to the Commission that demolition of House Groups A,B,C,D,E and F be
of demolition estimated at $148,000. The additional expense would increase the College's demolition costs by approximately $70,000. Owing to the extremely poor condition of the buildings and no immediately foreseeable use for them, the Committee voted to recommend to the Commission that demolition of House Groups A,B,C,D,E and F be permitted. SUBMISSIONS FOR ALTERATIONS 722 South Front Street, Martin Rosenblum, Architect. Mr. Rosenblum presented to the Committee his proposal for the restoration of 722 South Front Street. Following some deliberation, the Committee agreed to recommend an approval of Mr. Rosenblum's plans subject to one minor revision. The Committee asked that the door detail be corrected to conform with the elevation drawing by increasing the size of both the top and bottom stiles. Subject to this revision, the Committee recommends an approval of the architect's plans. Philadelphia College of Art, Broad and Pine Streets, Tectonic Resources, Incorporated. Messrs. Cathers, Clement and Milner prsented to the Architectural Committee for consideration Phase II of the proposed rehabilitation of the Phildadelphia College of Art. Phase I, approved by the Commission earlier in the year and currently underway covers the rehabilitation of the Furness section of the complex only. Following some discussion of the details of the project, the Committee voted to recommend its approval. Northeast corner of 4th and Race Streets, Hans P. Stein Associates, Mike McCann, Architect. Mr. McCann presented to the Committee plans for the rehabilitation of the property at the northeast corner of 4th and Race Streets. Following an examination of the plans, the Committee made several requests. The architect was asked, in particular, to investigate the ground floor fenestration and develop a sash design which works well with the upper floor ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 17 February 1982 window sash and to provide the Committee with a more detailed drawing of the canopy proposed for installation along 4th Street. The architect agreed to revise his drawings in accordance with the Committee's recommendations and resubmit them for further review. 427 Chestnut Street, Arthur Jones, Architect. Mr. Jones discussed with the members of the Architectural Committee his preliminary plans for the rehabilitation of the former Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank at 427 Chestnut Street. Recently purchased by the American Philosophical Society, the building will undergo substantial renovations on the interior for conversion to library use - primarily stack areas. This will require the removal of all existing wood floors and the construction of new
the former Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank at 427 Chestnut Street. Recently purchased by the American Philosophical Society, the building will undergo substantial renovations on the interior for conversion to library use - primarily stack areas. This will require the removal of all existing wood floors and the construction of new interior flooring as well as other major, interior renovations. In areas where new interior wall and trim construction is needed, the Committee suggested using a good, contemporary design rather than a period reconstruction. Finally, the Committee asked the architect to record with photo- graphs all original fabric which will be destroyed, covered or altered. Following some additional discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend an approval of the project in concept. When design development of the project is complete, a final submission will be prepared by the architect and submitted to the Committee for its review. 2101 Delancey Street, Otto Sperr, Architect. The Committee examined the architect's plans for the introduction of a garage into the rear wall of 2101 Delancey Street. The Committee agreed to ask Mr. Magaziner to visit the site with the architect's plans and make a recommendation. Subsequent to the Committee meeting, Mr. Magaziner reported to the staff that he had reviewed the plans, inspected the building and found the proposed alterations to be acceptable. An approval is recommended. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiontkowski Architectural Historian