Dilapidated two-story building across from the High Line would serve as base for seven-story tower. On November 9, 2010, Landmarks considered Taconic Investment Partners LLC’s proposal to build a seven-story addition on top of a two-story building constructed in 1938 at 837 Washington Street in the Gansevoort Market Historic District. The site lies at the edge of the historic district and faces the High Line elevated park.

The Morris Adjmi-designed addition would include a rear corner tower of masonry and a larger steel and glass section with angled beams that would give the structure a torqued effect. The addition’s balconies would feature plantings in homage to the property’s deceased former owner, Robert Isabell, who kept the existing building’s metal canopies planted with flowers for the pleasure of High Line visitors.

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Community board and preservation groups supported rowhouses’ facade alterations but not the proposed rooftop addition. On November 10, 2009, Landmarks heard testimony on Aurora Capital Associates’ redevelopment proposal for four, three-story Greek Revival rowhouses at 21 through 27 Ninth Avenue in the Gansevoort Market Historic District. The proposal included restoring the 19th century buildings’ red-brick facade, replacing ground floor infill with steel and glass storefronts, replacing and extending a metal marquee, and converting the ground floor to retail use. Aurora would build an eleven-and- a-half foot tall steel and glass rooftop addition, set back fifteen feet, and spanning the three mid-block rowhouses at 21, 23, and 25 Ninth Avenue.

BKSK architect Harry Kendall testified that the inspiration for the rooftop addition came from the ironwork of the nearby elevated railroad tracks, and from viewing tax photos taken in the 1870s showing the rowhouses with chimneys, long since demolished. Kendall explained that recessed metal panels would divide the addition, reflecting the tripartite division of the buildings. He described the addition as “shipping container-ish” and said it would reflect the district’s industrial character. Kendall said the glass and steel addition’s transparency would reflect the “visible life” of the High Line. (read more…)

Renowned fashion designer sought to increase light and space of studio. Designer Diane von Furstenberg sought alterations to her existing retail studio located at 440-442 West 14th Street in the Gansevoort Market Historic District. Developed in 1887, the building is an example of neo-Grec and Queen Anne style French flats, which contribute to the special architectural and historic character of the district.

Von Furstenberg and architect Daniel Wood of the Work Architecture Company proposed to alter the front facade by installing a new glazed storefront, a metal and corrugated glass wraparound canopy and new single-paned windows. Also proposed were a metal-clad rear yard addition, an asymmetrical rooftop addition and a laminated stone and glass skylight, to facilitate more natural light in the studio. (read more…)