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Landmarks
I. Miller Building, 1552 Broadway (between 46th & 47th Streets - Application to restore the facade and to replace the existing signage
WHEREAS, The I. Miller Building located at 1552-1554 Broadway (also known as 167 West 46th Street) features a facade designed by the architect Louis H. Friedland, which was constructed in 1927-1929, for the remodeling of the Times Square branch of the fashionable women's shoe store chain; and
WHEREAS, The building's handsome design incorporates rich materials - limestone, marble and mosaic - and motifs from several different classically-inspired historic styles, and had been commissioned by Israel Miller as a tribute to the theatrical profession; and
WHEREAS, The facade features an inscription below the cornice reading "THE SHOW FOLKS SHOE SHOP DEDICATED TO BEAUTY IN FOOTWEAR", and four large statues, designed by Alexander Stirling Calder, depicting Great Ladies of the Theater - Mary Pickford as Little Lord Fauntleroy, Rosa Ponselle as Norma, Ethel Barrymore as Ophelia, and Marilyn Miller as Sunny; and
WHEREAS, The building's western wall, which faces into Times Square, has historically been dominated by signage, including some of the earliest examples of active electric signage designed by the renowned advertising executive and lighting designer Douglas Leigh; and
WHEREAS, On June 29, 1999, The I. Miller Building was designated as an individual landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; and
WHEREAS, The building's current owners have submitted an application seeking permission to restore the facade, and to install new storefronts and signage; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the building's western side displays two billboards - one sign measuring 32'-10" in height, underneath a rooftop sign measuring 46'-1" in height; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the building's south side displays two billboards - one sign measuring 32'-10" in height, and one rooftop sign measuring 46'-1" in height; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the southwest corner of the historic facade's second floor is obscured by the lower of the billboards; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, a previous owner had received approval from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission which would allow for the installation of an additional 37'-0" high sign above the building's western side and an additional 37'-0" high sign above the building's southern side, however none of these signs were constructed; and
WHEREAS, The building's current owner proposes that the signage at the western side would be one sign measuring 31'-0" high, underneath two rooftop signs each measuring 43'-4-3/4" high, all of which would be 48'-5" wide, and all of which would have 9'-0" signs returning toward, but not obscuring the building's southern facade; and
WHEREAS, The current application proposes the installation of a sign suspended above the rooftop of the southern facade which would measure 67'-1-1/4" high and 28'-8" wide; and
WHEREAS, The current application proposes to upgrade the signage to state-of-the-art LED displays; and
WHEREAS, The current application proposes to upgrade the storefront of the building's western side, including such modifications as removal of mostly non historic signage and other elements, revealing second floor windows, and changing from two to one retail tenant space; and
WHEREAS, The current application proposes extensive repairs and restoration of the southern facade's masonry and statuary plus appropriate illumination of the southern facade; and
WHEREAS, The signage plan will enhance the historical, architectural and urbanist character of The I. Miller Building by allowing the historic building to be more visible and legible; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to restore the facade, and to install new storefronts and signage, as presented to CB 5, at The I. Miller Building at 1552-1554 Broadway.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.