MINUTE: OF THE MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISS ON 17 October 1979 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. Erling H. Pedersen, A.I.A., Old Philadelphia Development Corporation. Russell Milnor, A.I.A., Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. Richard Tyler, Historian. Patricia Siewitkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. Marion M. Carroll, Architectural Historian Jefferson Moak, Historical Research Technician. Also present: Philip Buckley, Architect and Stanley Tarafla to present for review a design for the balcony railing to be installed across the facade of the St. Charles Hotel, 56-66 North Third Street. Eugene LaFarre, Architect, to present his plans for the restoration of 423 Vine Street. E. Silva, Architect, Cassway/Albert & Associates, to present his plans for the rehabilitation of 109 Queen Street. Max Berger and Gerald Schram, Architect, to present a resubmission for the rehabilitation of 218 South Eighth Street. Irv Shapiro, Architect, and his client, to present to the Committee plans for the complete restoration of 505-507-509 South Ninth Street. Barry Eisworth, Architect, H2l2, and his associate, to discuss with the Committee plans for renovations to Wanamakers' Crystal Tearoom. Beverly Briggs, University of Pennsylvania, to present plans for renovations to the exterior plans of Houston Hall. John Pile, contractor, to present his proposal for the restoration of the side bay window of 710 Franklin Street. Otto Reichert, Architect, to report his findings to the Committee concerning the front facade of 260 South Ninth Street. Mr. Strickler and Mr. Little to request permission to demolish the Elmhurst Building on the grounds of the Friends' Hospital. MISSIONS FOR ALTERATIONS St. Charles Hotel, 56-66 North Third Street, Philip Buckley, Architect. Mr. Buckley presented to the members of the Committee his revised drawing for the balcony to be installed on the facade of the St. Charles Hotel. As recommended by the Committee at an earlier meeting, the ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 17 October 1979 design of the iron railing was revised to give it a lighter appearance resembling wrought, rather than cast, iron. After a brief discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend to the Commission the final approval of this restoration project including the revised railing design. 421 Vine Street, Eugene Lefevre, Architect. Mr. Lefevre presented his proposal for the restoration of 421 Vine Street to the Architectural Committee for consideration. Since
iron. After a brief discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend to the Commission the final approval of this restoration project including the revised railing design. 421 Vine Street, Eugene Lefevre, Architect. Mr. Lefevre presented his proposal for the restoration of 421 Vine Street to the Architectural Committee for consideration. Since the building is to be restored as a residence, the Committee suggested the elimination of the second dorway on the Vine Street elevation and the introduction of three double-hung six over six light windows in line with the existing upper floor fenestration. On the gable wall, the larger Victorian window in the south bay at the ground floor should contain eight over eight lights of glass instead of six over six. Finally, the Committee asked for the elimination of the transom within the frontispiece on the gable wall and directed the staff to provide the architect with an appropriate detailed drawing for this entrance. The Committee agreed to recommend the approval of this restoration project subject to the aforementioned required revisions. 109 Queen Street, E. Silva, Architect. The Committee reviewed Mr. Silva's proposal for the rehabilitation of the building situate at 109 Queen Street and agreed to recommend its approval subject to several minor revisions. It was noted that the resting rail of the second floor windows should be positioned below the center rail of the window. In accordance with an early photograph on file in the Commission office, the dormer window sash should contain two over two lights of glass. Finally, the Committee asked that the vent on the front facade be placed behind the shutter and that the inappropriate entrance railing be removed. A sample of the working material should be presented to the staff for a final review and approval before installation. 218 South Eighth Street, Hassinger-Schman Associates. The Committee reviewed the architect's resubmission for the rehabilitation of 218 S. Eighth Street and voted to recommend its approval to the Commission. The changes called for in the Commission's earlier letter to the architect were incorporated into the revised elevation as requested. 505-507-509 South Ninth Street, Irv Shapiro, Architect. Mr. Shapiro presented his plans for the restoration of 505-507-509 South Ninth Street to the Architectural Committee for consideration. After a brief discussion of the project, the Committee agreed to recommend its approval subject to the replacement of the proposed frontispiece ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 17 October 1979 at 505
Architect. Mr. Shapiro presented his plans for the restoration of 505-507-509 South Ninth Street to the Architectural Committee for consideration. After a brief discussion of the project, the Committee agreed to recommend its approval subject to the replacement of the proposed frontispiece ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 17 October 1979 at 505 with a simple lintel and door frame. The staff was directed to supply Mr. Shapiro with an appropriate shutter detail for all three buildings. Finally, it was agreed that should the Department of Licenses and Inspections require the construction of a fire wall between the properties Mr. Bartley would review and comment upon the necessary changes to the drawing. John Wanamakers Crystal Tearoom, Barry Eisworth, Architect. Mr. Eisworth and his associate, Mr. Miller, appeared before the members of the Architectural Committee to present their proposal for renovations to the Crystal Tearoom in the Wanamaker Store, Thirteenth and Market Streets. The Committee reviewed the preliminary operational diagram for the restaurant and discussed with the architects the specifics of the proposed work. Following the review of the initial work to be undertaken, the Committee agreed to recommend the approval of stripping, painting, flock removal and window and mirror restoration. At the suggestion of the Historian, the architects agreed to conduct a paint analysis of the plaster ceiling. Finally, the Committee asked for the submission of a plan for the new lighting system to be installed. 710 North Franklin Street, John File, Contractor. Following a report of illegal work proceeding at 710 North Franklin Street, the staff telephoned the Department of Licenses and Inspections and had a building inspector visit the site and stop the work. The initial contractor had planned to remove all of the wood trim on a side bay and cover it with aluminum siding. At the request of the Society of Friends, Mr. File submitted to the Committee his proposal to restore the wood bay to its original condition. It was agreed by the Committees that before a final approval of this project could be granted, an accurately measured drawing showing the proposed work was required. Subsequent to this meeting, the staff learned that the wood trim had been salvaged and needed only to be repaired and replaced. In view of this, an approval to proceed with the restoration is recommended. 260 South Ninth Street, Otto Reichert, Architect. Mr. Reichert appeared before the Architectural Committee to present his findings
meeting, the staff learned that the wood trim had been salvaged and needed only to be repaired and replaced. In view of this, an approval to proceed with the restoration is recommended. 260 South Ninth Street, Otto Reichert, Architect. Mr. Reichert appeared before the Architectural Committee to present his findings from the examination of the interior fabric at 260 South Ninth Street. According to Mr. Reichert all interior evidence points to the original existence of single windows in the south bay of the Ninth Street facade. Although a single window, it was determined that shutters were hung on both sides to obtain the symmetry of the elevation. The Committee accepted Mr. Reichert's findings in this matter and asked that he revise his elevation in conformity to them. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 4 17 October 1979 DEMOLITIONS Elmhurst Building, Friends' Hospital, Roosevelt Blvd. and Adams Avenue. Mr. Strickler and Mr. Little of the Hospital staff appeared before the Architectural Committee to request permission to demolish the Elmhurst Building situate on the ground of the Friends' Hospital. Since the Hospital can no longer feasibly use the building and since the structure has proven costly to maintain, the Committee agreed to recommend to the Commission that permission for demolition be granted. At the request of the Chairman, the Committee agreed to request the submission of a Master Plan for the Friends' Hospital complex. Such a document will prove useful to the Committee in evaluating each proposed phase of development. PLAQUES 129 through 139 North Fourth Street. Following a discussion of the eligibility of these buildings for receipt of Commission plaques, the Committee asked the staff to prepare a report on each building for submission to the Architectural Committee at its next meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Slemitkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman FS:mc