MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 16 April 1980 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 Committees, American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter Edgar V. Pedersen, A.I.A., Old Philadelphia Development Corporation Russell Milnor, A.I.A., Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority F. Otto Haas, Chairman, Philadelphia Historical Commission James S. Klein, Vice-Chairman, Philadelphia Historical Commission Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Miemiczkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Also present: Leon Levin, Architect, and Jordan Weinerman, Developer, to present plans for the restoration of 1043 Lombard Street. Jack Austin of Roland Davies and Associates, Architects, to present a preliminary proposal for the restoration of 208 South 4th Street. Carlos Smith, Architect, and his client, Charles Frank, to present revised plans for the restoration of the Mills House, 236 South 6th Street. Leonard Zack, owner of 440 Spruce Street, to request a plaque for his building. SUBMISSIONS FOR ALTERATIONS 1043 Lombard Street, Jordan Building Corporation. Plans for the restoration of the front facade of 1043 Lombard Street were presented by Mr. Weinerman and Mr. Levin to the Committee for consideration. Built c. 1833 as part of a row, 1043 Lombard Street suffered only minor changes to its original facade. As approved by the architect, the front elevation will be restored to its original appearance. This will include the restoration of the arched doorway. The Committee recommended that a single three-light transom (divided vertically) be installed within the doorway rather than a fanlight as proposed. It was agreed also not to require the restoration of the cellar bulkhead but to allow the installation of a small basement window instead. This should be similar in size and design to that found at 1037 and 1039 Lombard Street. The Committee noted that all new brickwork on the facade must match the original in size, color, texture and bonding and that the new handrail and cellar window grills must match that found at 1039. In all other respects, the drawings, as presented, were determined to be acceptable. The Committee recommended the approval of this submission subject to the changes outlined above. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 16 April, 1980 SUBMISSIONS (Cont'd) 208 South 4th Street. Roland Davies and Associates. Jack Austin, Roland Davies and Associates, presented to the Committee for review a preliminary proposal for the restoration of 208 South 4th Street.
the approval of this submission subject to the changes outlined above. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 16 April, 1980 SUBMISSIONS (Cont'd) 208 South 4th Street. Roland Davies and Associates. Jack Austin, Roland Davies and Associates, presented to the Committee for review a preliminary proposal for the restoration of 208 South 4th Street. After considerable discussion, the Committee advised the architect to further study the existing building fabric particularly the large infilled arch which appears on the ground floor of the facade. At the suggestion of the Committee, Mr. Tyler agreed to meet with Mr. Austin on site to examine the building. The Committee asked also that the architect check the building dimensions and, if necessary, correct the elevation drawing. The Committee recommended that this proposal be tabled pending the receipt of additional information from the architect and the staff. 236 South 8th Street (Mills House). Carlos Smith, Architect. Mr. Smith presented to the Architectural Committee for review a set of revised drawings for the restoration of the Mills House. The changes requested by the Committee at an earlier meeting had been incorporated into the architect's drawings and met with the Committee's approval. Because of changes to the interior plan, the architect asked the Committee's consideration of some changes to the proposed rear elevation and for advice concerning the treatment of particular details. On the rear elevation Mr. Smith presented his proposal for the construction of a two-story, rather than a one-story, addition. While finding Mr. Smith's request to construct a two-story addition acceptable, the Committee asked for several design changes. The members suggested that the architect eliminate the covered porch on the ground floor level and instead completely fill in the proposed open wall. This would serve a solid rear wall on which a set of doors on the ground floor and a tri-parte window on the second floor could be centered. If desired, an open porch without a roof could be installed beyond the masonry addition into the rear yard. On the gable wall, the Committee asked that the "0" window be raised several inches to the brick and that the detail of the frame and sash match the original as seen in an early photograph of the row. All new windows on this wall should have stone lintels and sills. The architect's suggestion for the retention of the parapet wall along the edge of the roof met with the Committee's
detail of the frame and sash match the original as seen in an early photograph of the row. All new windows on this wall should have stone lintels and sills. The architect's suggestion for the retention of the parapet wall along the edge of the roof met with the Committee's approval. A simple cap should run along the length of this edge. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 16 April 1980 SUBMISSIONS (Cont'd) It was agreed that the single window detail on the front facade of the building should be used as a model in constructing new frames for use elsewhere on the house. Mr. Smith agreed to draw the appropriate detail and submit it with his revised drawings. Concerning the garden wall, the Committee recommended using a brick wall with a shallow pitched brick cap. Again, the architect was asked to submit an appropriate detailed drawing of this feature. Finally, before construction begins, a complete set of doors, window and shutter details and a brick and mortar sample for the rear and side walls must be submitted for approval. The Committee recommended the approval of Mr. Smith's proposal for the restoration of the Mills house subject to the above changes. The Committee advised Mr. Smith to correct his plans and forward his revision to the staff for consideration. 1112-1114 Pine Street. Theodore T. Barkley, Jr., Architect. Mr. Barkley presented his preliminary proposal for renovations to 1112 and 1114 Pine Street for review. Following some discussion, the Committee recommended the approval, in concept, of Mr. Barkley's plans. PLAQUES 440 Spruce Street. In response to the Architectural Committee's prior recommendation against granting a plaque to 440 Spruce Street, Mr. Leonard Zack, owner of the building, appeared to ask the Committee's reconsideration of his request. Mr. Zack reported that the exterior walls of the building had been cleaned and repointed as suggested by the Committee at an earlier meeting and that he believed the structure now to be eligible for a plaque. It was the opinion of Mr. Lary and Mr. Barkley, after examining the building, that the results of the work were unsatisfactory. No visible improvement to the condition of the masonry could be detected and, for this reason, it was suggested that a plaque not be issued to 440 Spruce Street. The Committee advised Mr. Zack to have the walls examined by a person or company specializing in brick cleaning to determine if
visible improvement to the condition of the masonry could be detected and, for this reason, it was suggested that a plaque not be issued to 440 Spruce Street. The Committee advised Mr. Zack to have the walls examined by a person or company specializing in brick cleaning to determine if acceptable results could, indeed, be achieved. The Committee agreed to stand by its initial recommendation against the issuance of a plaque to 440 Spruce Street. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 4 16 April 1980 PLAQUES (Cont'd) 436 Fulton Street. Mr. Bartley agreed to examine 436 Fulton Street and to report his findings to the Committee at its next meeting. For the present, this request was tabled. 314 Fulton Street. Mr. Bartley reported to the Committee that he had inspected 314 Fulton Street and found the house to have been completely and accurately restored. A Certified Restored plaque is recommended. 119 Elfreth's Alley. Mr. Levy will examine 119 Elfreth's Alley and make a report on his findings to the Committee at its next meeting. Before the meeting adjourned, the Commission's Historian asked the Committee's assistance in dating a two-story, stone building located on Usher and Dungan Streets in Northeast Philadelphia. Based on an examination of a series of photographs taken by the Commission staff, the Committee determined-that, in its judgment, the house could not have been constructed before 1800. They suggested its date of construction to have been at some time between 1825 and 1870. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemontkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman