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Landmarks

October 2015, Landmarks Committee

703 Fifth Avenue, application for storefront renovations and new signage.

WHEREAS, 703 Fifth Avenue, the St. Regis Hotel, is a beaux arts "skyscraper" hotel designed by Trowbridge and Livingston and built in 1901 (commissioned by John Jacob Astor), which was designated as an individual landmark in 1988; and 

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to install awnings and signage and to paint windows of the DeBeers space on the Fifth Avenue and East 55^th Street facades; and

WHEREAS, The proposed work encompasses several subtle changes to the existing storefront:

• The existing purple retractable awnings would be replaced with new black retractable awnings of the same size, shape and fabric;
• The existing silver metal "DeBeers" signage on the façade over five bays would be removed and replaced with black acrylic letters of the same size over four bays;
• The façade signage would remain backlit, but the bulbs would be replaced with small LED bulbs;
• The existing glass panel with metal signage over the entry door would be removed and replaced with new white letters on a new black window plate;
• Existing window and door frames would be painted black;
• The façade would be cleaned and previous attachment points would be patched and repaired.

WHEREAS, The proposed work is minor and appropriate for the design of this landmarked building; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for storefront renovations and new signage at 703 Fifth Avenue.