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46 West 21st Street application for the creation of a new storefront, installation of an elevator, installation of a rooftop addition, installation of a new stair bulkhead, modification of the fire escape and replacement of current windows
WHEREAS, 46 West 21st Street is a five store building located on the south side of 21st street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and
WHEREAS, This building was constructed at the turn of the century as a single family townhouse; and
WHEREAS, The building is believed to have been originally set back from the street level but was then filled in; and
WHEREAS, In the 1920's the building was converted to a factory; and
WHEREAS, The building is primarily constructed of brick masonry; and
WHEREAS, At the first floor level there are two commercial spaces and entrance to the upper floors of the building to the west; and
WHEREAS, There is currently a large counter-balanced commercial fire escape on the front of the building; and
WHEREAS, Currently the structure is painted brown; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to make various alterations to the building, as follows:
• Add a 500 square foot rooftop addition on top of the building at the rear and not visible from any thoroughfare;
• Install a new stair bulkhead;
• Install a new elevator;
• Install new windows throughout; including the installation of wood moldings around the windows in line with the originals discovered when peeling back aluminum cladding;
• Modify the current counter weight fire escape to drop ladder fire escape
• Create a single storefront; and
WHEREAS, CB5 found the rooftop addition on top of the building at the rear would not be visible at street level; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to install wood mullions around the windows in line with the original molding found upon excavation of current window treatments using Pella aluminum clad wood; and original elements whenever possible; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to create a single storefront with new wood sign band and symmetrical windows; and
WHEREAS, The applicant agreed to retain the original fenestration on the second floor of building including the installation of a fire escape window made of glass; and
WHEREAS, Although the applicant proposed painting the building blue, the applicant agreed with CB5's request to further investigate the most appropriate color for the block and the historical color of the building before finalizing a paint color; and
WHEREAS, The building stands as an example of the factory history of the district; and
WHEREAS, The proposed renovations preserve the elements of factory use while providing much needed attention to the building; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for the creation of a new storefront, installation of an elevator, installation of a rooftop addition, installation of a new stair bulkhead, modification of the fire escape and replacement of current windows at 46 West 21st Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues.