240 Central Park South, b/t 7th Ave and Columbus Circle, application to legalize the installation of awnings without Landmarks Preservation Commission permits
WHEREAS, 240 Central Park South, located on Central Park South, Broadway and 58th Street, was built in 1941 to include 321 apartments and consists of two separate towers connected by a one story lobby and Broadway-facing storefronts; and
WHEREAS, It is considered the first Manhattan apartment building to make extensive use of balconies; and
WHEREAS, It is considered the last example of the courtyard apartment buildings of that period of apartment construction; and
WHEREAS, 240 Central Park South was given landmark designation in 2002; and
WHEREAS, The applicant is requesting to install awnings and lighting on the Central Park South facade as well as facing the entry courtyard of the building; and
WHEREAS, The installation is being undertaken by the tenant occupying a ground floor restaurant space for a restaurant called Marea; and
WHEREAS, The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (“LPC”) advised Community Board Five that there will be a public hearing regarding the requested installation; and
WHEREAS, The tenant installed all of the elements included in its application approximately six weeks prior to presentation to Community Board Five and prior to obtaining LPC approval; and
WHEREAS, The design and color and all details of the proposed installation have not been previously been brought before Community Board Five or LPC for comment or approval and are substantially different from the design and color of the building’s main entrance canopy; and
WHEREAS, The requested work is deemed to be inappropriate (if not illegal); therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install awnings in front of the restaurant space at 240 Central Park South.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.