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Landmarks
200 Fifth Avenue, application to construct rooftop and Rear yard additions, install entry doors and new storefront infill
WHEREAS, 200 Fifth Avenue, known as the International Toy Center, is in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District and is a neo-Renaissance style store and loft building built in 1908 - 1909, designed by Maynicke & Franke; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five recommended approval of a Master Plan for 200 Fifth Avenue in September 2002, when the previous owner contemplated changing the primary building occupancy from commercial to residential use; and
WHEREAS, The current owner is now rehabilitating the building for continuation as a commercial office building with ground floor retail occupancy; and
WHEREAS, The owner proposes to replace the existing glass and metal doors along the building line at the West 23rd Street entry, and install a new glass wall at the West 24th Street entry; and
WHEREAS, The owner agrees to preserve the ornamental metal gates and the vestibule spaces with coffered, vaulted ceilings at the West 23rd and West 24th Street entrances; and
WHEREAS, The owner proposes to modify the east elevation of the existing courtyard (which is entirely inside the building and only partially visible through the West 23rd Street entrance), with infill for approximately 8,000 to 10,000 additional square feet of commercial rental space within the courtyard, and construct a new curtain wall system within the courtyard; and
WHEREAS, The owner proposes to construct rooftop elements of not more than 10,000 square feet, and install new HVAC equipment on the roof, all not higher than 18 feet (lower in height than the previous owner proposed); and
WHEREAS, The rooftop addition and the courtyard infill collectively will not add more than the allowable FAR for the building; and
WHEREAS, All doors (exterior as well as interior) would be ADA accessible, and where feasible, those that have been altered will be restored or replicated in order to reflect the original design; and
WHEREAS, The owner has agreed to preserve and keep in good working order the landmarked sidewalk clock; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Master Plan for 200 Fifth Avenue and requests that any further additions or changes to this plan such as signage, awnings, etc, also be presented to the Board. The Board would also recommend that original materials be used wherever possible (such as cast iron in the restored bulkheads and in the storefronts).
The above resolution passed with a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.