MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 21 October 1981 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 Penelope H. Batcheler, Architect for Independence National Historical Park Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemiontkowski, Architectural Historian Also: Tom Rogers, Applicant, to request an approval of work undertaken at 254 South 16th Street without a building permit. John Lloyd, Vice President of Episcopal Hospital, Joseph Abriola, Engineer, and Robert Lynn, Architect, to present plans for the next phase of alterations to the Tower Building and the Chapel at Episcopal Hospital. Owner of 813 S. Hancock Street to discuss, informally, with the Committee members the restoration of his house. SUBMISSIONS FOR ALTERATIONS 254 South 16th Street, Tom Rogers, Applicant. Mr. Rogers appeared before the Architectural Committee to request the Committee's approval of the illegal work done to the front facade of 254 South 16th Street.Mr. Rogers presented photographs of the completed work which included the construction of a brick facing on the facade of the existing building at the ground floor level. Although the work undertaken is clearly inappropriate to the original building, the Committee members noted that the ground floor front of this building had been mutilated previously and, therefore, no additional, original fabric had been destroyed. Following some deliberation, the Architectural Committee agreed to recommend to the Commission that the building permit for the illegal work be signed and that the owner be encouraged to maintain the original, upper floors of the building. In addition, the Committee recommends that the owner be reminded of the Commission's jurisdiction over proposed alterations to certified buildings and that he be encouraged to restore 254 South 16th Street in conformance with the original character of the building and the street. Episcopal Hospital, John Lloyd, Vice President of Episcopal Hospital, Joseph Abriola, Engineer, and Robert Lynn, Architect. Mr. Lynn reviewed with the Committee members the hospital's most recent development of its physical facilities as part of a long-range plan. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 21 October 1981 The next phase of the project, as explained by Mr. Lynn, will include the demolition of the entire intervening structure between the Tower Building and the chapel and the construction of a connection between the buildings. On the rear elevation
of a long-range plan. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 21 October 1981 The next phase of the project, as explained by Mr. Lynn, will include the demolition of the entire intervening structure between the Tower Building and the chapel and the construction of a connection between the buildings. On the rear elevation of the Tower Building, the architect proposes to continue the rhythm and fenestration of the original design. The new chapel wall, facing the Tower Building, will be constructed of masonry, stuccoed and finished to resemble limestone. It was the opinion of the Committee members that the proposed new construction and the treatment of the Tower Building and chapel walls were acceptable and that the approval for the completion of this phase of the project should be granted. Mr. Lloyd advised the Committee also of the hospital's intention to demolish the Gill House, a small Colonial Revival building facing Lehigh Avenue. The Committee asked that the building be photographed and that a formal request for demolition be presented for review. 255 Queen Street. The staff presented for the Committee's consideration shutter details submitted by the owner for 255 Queen Street. Mrs. Batcheler corrected the mouldings and indicated that shutters should be hung on the ground floor only. No evidence of shutters appears on the upper floors. In addition, the Committee noted that 255 Queen Street, even with the installation of shutters, will not be eligible for receipt of a Commission plaque. The window frames and watertable have been incorrectly restored and, therefore, make the house ineligible for a plaque. 932 Pine Street. The Committee reviewed, as a courtesy submission, plans for the rehabilitation of 932 Pine Street and recommended an approval. The Committee noted that all windows on the upper floors should be retained or replaced to match the existing fabric. 813 South Hancock Street. The Committee members reviewed with the owner of 813 South Hancock Street his preliminary proposal for the restoration of this early frame house. Since the existing wood siding requires replacement, the Committee urged the owner to measure and record accurately the existing openings before dismantling the front. The Committee also asked that a formal submission be presented for review and approval before any work is begun. Finally, Mrs. Batcheler agreed to meet with the owner to examine the building and offer advice on its proper restoration. PLAQUES 264 South 3rd Street. The Committee reviewed the owner's
front. The Committee also asked that a formal submission be presented for review and approval before any work is begun. Finally, Mrs. Batcheler agreed to meet with the owner to examine the building and offer advice on its proper restoration. PLAQUES 264 South 3rd Street. The Committee reviewed the owner's application for a plaque and found the building not to be eligible for one at this time. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 21 October 1981 It was agreed that the house could be eligible for receipt of an Altered Plaque if the exterior storm sash were removed and installed on the inside and if the existing hole in the front wall were patched correctly. 1106 Manning Street. Owing to a series of inappropriate alterations to the front facade of this house, the Committee agreed that the building was not eligible for a Commission plaque. 236 South 8th Street. The Committee recommended the issuance of a Certified Altered plaque to 236 South 8th Street. 333 South Lawrence Court. Subsequent to the Committee meeting, Mr. Bartley inspected the building and found it to have been completely and accurately restored. The issuance of a Certified Restored plaque is recommended. 227 South 9th Street. Based on Mr. Bartley's inspection of the building following the Committee's meeting, the issuance of a Certified Restored plaque is recommended for 227 South 9th Street. 130-132 South 17th Street. The Committee reviewed the letter received from the owner of 130-132 South 17th Street requesting advice on the proper restoration of his building. The Committee recommended that the owner be directed to undertake some research on the building to determine its original appearance and to prepare and submit an elevation drawing in accordance with his findings for the Committee's consideration. Once the building is restored completely and accurately, it will then become eligible for a plaque. 119 Lambert Street. Owing to the poor quality of the photograph submitted, the Committee members found it difficult to evaluate the building. It was clear, however, that the building could not be awarded a plaque because of incorrectly detailed window sash and exterior storm sash. Other items, not visible in the photograph, might also prevent the building from being eligible for a plaque. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiontkowski Architectural Historian /ps