NOTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 21 September 1977 Herbert N. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman Present: Herbert N. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission Theodore U. Bardley, Jr., A.I.A., Preservation Committee, American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter. Erling H. Pedersen, A.I.A., Old Philadelphia Development Corporation. Richard Tyler, Historian. Patricia Sienkiewowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. Also: Mr. Simpson of Simpson Sign Company to present his proposal for the installation of a sign at the St. James Hotel, 1226-32 Walnut Street. Lawrence A. Husband, Architect, regarding the doorway at 225-27 Spruce Street. Calvin Thompson, Architect, and his associate requesting approval for a change in the restoration proposal for the Hose House, southeast corner of Second and Pine Streets. DISCUSSIONS St. James Hotel, 1226-32 Walnut Street, Simpson Sign Company. Mr. Simpson presented to the Committee his proposal for the installation of a 7-11 sign on the Walnut Street elevation of the St. James Hotel. The sign is to be placed over the entrance to the store and measures four feet by eighteen feet. After user observations, it was agreed to recommend to the Commission that the Simpson Sign Company be required to install a smaller sign appropriately sized, best by nine feet, and preferably one that will fit within the existing area. 1022 Spruce Street, Ollis Chamberlain, Architect. The Committee reviewed and recommended the approval of the architect's proposal for the complete restoration of this building. 518-20 South Front Street, Zimmer Associates. Approval of the restoration proposal for 518 and 520 South Front Street was recommended. 808 South Front Street, Design Buildings, Inc. The Committee recommended the approval of the restoration proposal as presented. 240 South Twelfth Street (sliding glass doors). The Committee recommended the approval of this request for permission to install sliding glass doors in the fourth floor rear wall of the building. The doors will lead onto a sun deck and will not be readily visible from the street. 239 Spruce Street (roof addition), D. I. Roberts, Owner. The plans for the construction of a rear addition to this building were reviewed by the Committee and approval was recommended. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 21 September 1977 SUBMISSIONS (Cont'd) 225 Spruce Street (doorway), Laurence A. Woodward, Architect. Based on recent findings collected from physical evidence, Mr. Woodward presented to the Committee a request for a change in the design of the frontispiece approved
reviewed by the Committee and approval was recommended. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 21 September 1977 SUBMISSIONS (Cont'd) 225 Spruce Street (doorway), Laurence A. Woodward, Architect. Based on recent findings collected from physical evidence, Mr. Woodward presented to the Committee a request for a change in the design of the frontispiece approved by the Committee at its meeting of 20 July 1977. The frontispiece and doors to be installed here salvaged from the Sallie-Mckdam house built in Philadelphia in 1792 and demolished in 1910. The Committee concurred with Mr. Woodward's findings and recommended that the Commission approve his request. It was agreed that even though the shutters have already been called and differ from the door and frame paneling, they may still be installed and will not make the building ineligible for a plaque. 309 Fitzwater Street, Robert L. Owen, Architect. This submission was reviewed and Commission approval was recommended. Ross House, Southeast corner Second and Pine Streets, Calvin Thompson, Architect. Mr. Thompson's request to install two doors on the Second Street elevation of the Ross House was taken into consideration by the Committee and its approval was recommended. It was agreed, however, that the doors be simple in design. A resubmission showing the placement of the doors and a detail of the muntins must be submitted for review before a final approval is granted. PROBLEMS 2218 Penillon Avenue. The request of a resident of 2218 Poselton Avenue for permission to install exterior storm sash on this historically designated building was brought to the attention of the Committee. It was agreed that storm sash could be installed on the exterior but that owners of certified buildings be urged to have them placed on the interior. Of course, a plaque cannot be awarded to a certified building having exterior storm windows. 701-11 North Eighth Street. The Committee recommended that the Commission approve, in concept, the reconstruction of the steps leading into 701-03, 705-07 and 709-11 North Eighth Street. This reconstruction is necessary as the result of street construction for the Center City Connector Connection. Before a final approval can be given for the work to proceed, the new step design must be submitted to the Committee for review. 536 Delancey Street. At the request of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the Committee was asked to determine the appropriateness of the frontispiece at 536 Delancey Street. It was agreed that the frontispiece is acceptable. 259
work to proceed, the new step design must be submitted to the Committee for review. 536 Delancey Street. At the request of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the Committee was asked to determine the appropriateness of the frontispiece at 536 Delancey Street. It was agreed that the frontispiece is acceptable. 259 South Fourth Street. The Committee reviewed photographs of the cellar windows recently taken by the staff and recommended that the owner be asked to match the basement windows at either 257 or 261 South Fourth Street. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 21 September 1977 CERTIFICATIONS The Drake, Fifteenth and Spruce Streets. At the request of the Historical Commission, the Committee reviewed the nomination of The Drake Hotel at Fifteenth and Spruce Streets for historical certification. The Committee agreed that the hotel for a long time had been a dominant part of the Philadelphia skyline and a landmark structure. Its certification is supported. Eden Hall. At the request of the Commission, the Committee took into consideration the advisability of certifying the Eden Hall complex. After some discussion concerning the question of historical and architectural significances of the complex, it was agreed to recommend the certification of the entire complex. The property has been owned and used by the Convent and School of the Sacred Heart from 1848 and is an integral part of the Northeast Philadelphia community. It is hoped that now that the property is in the hands of the City of Philadelphia an adaptive reuse can be found for some, if not all, of the buildings. PLAQUES 1028 Irving Street. The restoration, as completed, does not conform to the approved plan and, therefore, the building is not eligible for a plaque. 608 South Front Street. As stated in earlier correspondence, the proposed renovation do not constitute a restoration and, therefore, the building is not eligible for a plaque. 802 and 804 Lombard Street. A plaque cannot be awarded to these buildings until an appropriate box has been installed over the base of the rainwater conductor. 713 Pine Street. A plaque cannot be awarded to this building until an appropriate door has been installed in accordance with a memorandum to file dated 3 January 1964. All window air conditioning units must be removed as well. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Simiontkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman /pes [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Small mark/notation in upper left margin near page number 2. Small mark/notation next to "3"
installed in accordance with a memorandum to file dated 3 January 1964. All window air conditioning units must be removed as well. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Simiontkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman /pes [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Small mark/notation in upper left margin near page number 2. Small mark/notation next to "3" at top of page]