The Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday held a hearing on a proposed 8-unit, residential condominium building at 41-3 Bond Street that has shutters on its front facade and a very modern glass and metal rear facade.
The 8-story project is being developed by Adam Gordon, who recently acquired the famous Bouwerie Lane Theater on the north side of the same street at 54 Bond Street on the northwest corner at The Bowery.
Steven Harris is the architect for the new building and he also designed Mr. Gordon's townhouse at 92 Jane Street.
The new, limestone-clad building will be distinguished by its traditional-looking, metal window shutters on the second through the seventh floors. The design also calls for a deep overhang above the set-back top floor to create shows like a cornice although it does not extend beyond the building line.
In addition, the building's elegant design calls for a very thin glass canopy that would protrude about 8 feet in front of the building and be hung from rods that diagonally attach to the building's facade.
The design also has flowerboxes in all the windows on the second through the seventh floors.
The building would be the first new one in the recently designated extension of the NoHo Historic District that has made such famous other recently designed and built buildings on the same cobblestone block as 25, 40 and 48 Bond Street landmarks.
Pablo E. Vengoechea, vice chairman of the commission indicated that perhaps the building's 110-foot-six-inch height could be lowered a bit.
Commssioner Steven Byrns said he thought that the "hovering overhang is great" and suggested that perhaps the windows and shutters would be shorted somewhat in width to expose more of the limestone facade. Mr. Byrns suggested that the building was perhaps "too jewel-like, a little too refined and tailored in the details," and said it was "headed in the right direction," adding that it was "too tall" but that it was not necessary to remove a full floor.
Commissioner Joan Gerner said that the design was "really exquisite and a wonderful exercise" in a modern interpretation of traditional architecture although she suggested that perhaps some limestone could be inserted beneath the canopy and above the ground floor windows.
Commissioner Roberta Brandes Gratz said it was a "really terrific building" and that she loved the material and shutters."
The commission did not vote on the application and invited the applicant to study the suggestions and return.
The 8-story project is being developed by Adam Gordon, who recently acquired the famous Bouwerie Lane Theater on the north side of the same street at 54 Bond Street on the northwest corner at The Bowery.
Steven Harris is the architect for the new building and he also designed Mr. Gordon's townhouse at 92 Jane Street.
The new, limestone-clad building will be distinguished by its traditional-looking, metal window shutters on the second through the seventh floors. The design also calls for a deep overhang above the set-back top floor to create shows like a cornice although it does not extend beyond the building line.
In addition, the building's elegant design calls for a very thin glass canopy that would protrude about 8 feet in front of the building and be hung from rods that diagonally attach to the building's facade.
The design also has flowerboxes in all the windows on the second through the seventh floors.
The building would be the first new one in the recently designated extension of the NoHo Historic District that has made such famous other recently designed and built buildings on the same cobblestone block as 25, 40 and 48 Bond Street landmarks.
Pablo E. Vengoechea, vice chairman of the commission indicated that perhaps the building's 110-foot-six-inch height could be lowered a bit.
Commssioner Steven Byrns said he thought that the "hovering overhang is great" and suggested that perhaps the windows and shutters would be shorted somewhat in width to expose more of the limestone facade. Mr. Byrns suggested that the building was perhaps "too jewel-like, a little too refined and tailored in the details," and said it was "headed in the right direction," adding that it was "too tall" but that it was not necessary to remove a full floor.
Commissioner Joan Gerner said that the design was "really exquisite and a wonderful exercise" in a modern interpretation of traditional architecture although she suggested that perhaps some limestone could be inserted beneath the canopy and above the ground floor windows.
Commissioner Roberta Brandes Gratz said it was a "really terrific building" and that she loved the material and shutters."
The commission did not vote on the application and invited the applicant to study the suggestions and return.
Architecture Critic
Carter Horsley
Since 1997, Carter B. Horsley has been the editorial director of CityRealty. He began his journalistic career at The New York Times in 1961 where he spent 26 years as a reporter specializing in real estate & architectural news. In 1987, he became the architecture critic and real estate editor of The New York Post.
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
