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Landmarks

October 2015, Landmarks Committee

365 5th Avenue, CUNY Graduate Center, application for rooftop renovation.

WHEREAS, 365 5^th Avenue (NE corner of 34^th Street) currently known as the CUNY Graduate Center and historically known as the B. Altman Department Store, is a 16-story, designed in the Italian Renaissance Palazzo style building by the architectural firm of Trowbridge and Livingston; and

WHEREAS, The c. 1906 building was designated an individual landmarked in 1982 with a statement by Community Board Five in favor of designation; and

WHEREAS, The City University of New York (CUNY) hired the prominent architectural firm Gwathmey Siegel to restore and re-purpose the building in 2000; and

WHEREAS, CUNY intends to convert un-used attic space into a usable light-filled lecture hall and add a small green roof and amenity space; and

WHEREAS, A roof top addition measuring approximate 136' x 23' and 13'6" tall, and 3' lower than existing roof top mechanical units; and

WHEREAS, The addition will house a stairway to allow access to a new rooftop patio measuring 15' x 17' and a new green roof measuring approximately 37' x 28'; and

WHEREAS, The rooftop addition is not visible from positions immediately surrounding the building, from locations South on 5^th Avenue or locations East on 34^th street; and

WHEREAS, The rooftop addition is only slightly visible and much less visible than the existing rooftop mechanical units from locations North on 5^th Avenue and West on 34^th Street; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a new rooftop addition at 365 5^th Avenue.