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Landmarks
230 Park Avenue (Part 1): Application for storefront alterations, entry changes, and installation of ramps as part of a Master Plan for the building.
WHEREAS, 230 Park Avenue is an Art Deco tower known as The Helmsley Building, formerly the New York Central Building, and was designed by Warren & Wetmore in 1929 and designated an individual Landmark in 1987; and
WHEREAS, The building is 35 stories high and bound by Vanderbilt Avenue on the west, East 46th Street on the north, Depew Place on the east, East 45th Street on the south, and contains the pass-through for the Park Avenue viaduct as well as two pedestrian walk-ways; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes the following alterations to the eastern half of the E 46th St façade
- install new 2nd Floor window assemblies in three bays,
- new street-level window assemblies in three bays to match the profiles and finishes of the original windows; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes the following alterations to the western half of the E 46th St façade
- lower the street-level window sills and match the existing window profile and finishes of the eastern half of the E 46th St façade,
- replace third floor double-hung windows with new windows that match the profile, finish and operation of existing windows
- install a matching window bay in the location of a current non-historical doorway, as well as installing an entry door and ramp at an existing window bay located closest to the pedestrian walk; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes the following alterations to the northern half of the Vanderbilt Ave façade:
- lower the street-level window sills and match the existing window profile and finishes of the E 46th St façade;
- install a ramp at the existing retail entrance on Vanderbilt Ave; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes the following alterations to the southern half of the Vanderbilt Ave façade
- match the existing window profile and finishes of the E 46th St façade,
WHEREAS, Two historically accurate cartouches located above each of the Park Avenue viaduct tunnels inscribed with the letters "N," "Y" and "C" (New York Central) are proposed to change to "H" and "H" (Harry Helmsley) as outlined in a deed restriction with the most recent sale of the building; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five finds that the applicant is restoring an original and symmetric look to both the East 46th St and Vanderbilt Ave retail facades using acceptable materials of steel and bronze, as well as matching existing window and ground-level bay profiles; and
WHEREAS, The ADA accessible ramp along East 46th Street is minimally invasive to the overall fabric of the building and minimally effect sidewalk traffic; and
WHEREAS, The ADA accessible ramp along Vanderbilt Avenue is moderately invasive to the overall fabric of the building and does effect sidewalk traffic; and
WHEREAS, The "N," "Y" and "C" inscribed on the East and West cartouches are historical to the original owners and fabric of Terminal City that once existed in this area and should not be removed; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval with conditions of this application to alter the North and East facades of 230 Park Avenue, as long as the "N," "Y" and "C" inscribed on the East and West cartouches remain intact since they are historically accurate; and be it further
RESOLVED, CB5 strongly urges the applicant to find alternative ADA-compliant access to the western retail space via the West Helmsley Walk to reduce the need for exterior ramps.