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Landmarks
11 Madison Square North (aka 11-13 East 26th Street), application to renovate eastern entrance and façade
WHEREAS, 11 Madison Square North aka 11-13 East 26th Street was designed by Rouse and Goldstone and built in 1912 by the Flemish Realty Company and is within the Madison Square North Historic District; and
WHEREAS, The eastern building entrance and lobby were modified circa 1960 with black granite and a stainless steel facade, and in 2012 the street-level storefront was renovated for the Museum of Mathematics with a modern metal and glass design, with the western building entrance still in original condition; and
WHEREAS, The building owner Adams & Co proposes to remove the circa 1960 lobby entrance of non-original materials and reconstruct a new entrance with Indiana Limestone and granite that will mimic materials and the gothic framing of the original, intact western entrance; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to install an entrance with glass and stainless steel doors, construct a shallower depth in the entrance way, and widen the entry to allow for a pair of wider doors; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five applauds restoring the façade framing to recall the original design; and
WHEREAS, The proposed glass and stainless steel finishes are very modern compared to the original fabric of the intact western entrance, the building, and Historical District; and
WHEREAS, The overall design of the entrance and depth of the portal lack symmetry that this style of building is known for; and
WHEREAS, A proposal that matches the color, transom design, and depth of the western entrance would be more appropriate; and
WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to reevaluate the proposal with this feedback in mind; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial unless the applicant modifies the proposal to enhance the symmetry of the entrance and restore the entrance to the building’s original intent by:
- Recessing the door to align with the depth of the western entrance; and
- Incorporating decorative wrought iron tracery matching the western entrance; and
- Using a darker frame with cast iron or coated aluminum to match the western entrance.