Landmarks found that contemporary, sculptural facade recalled district’s historical character. On April 19, 2011, Landmarks unanimously approved Douglas and Michelle Monticciolo’s proposal to add two floors on top of a three-story building at 187 Franklin Street in the Tribeca West Historic District. The proposal, opposed by the community board, called for a new, sculptural-brick facade above the first floor. The existing building replaced a 1923 one-story garage that was demolished in 1992.

Historic preservation consultant Bill Higgins, representing the Monticciolos, argued that the project’s “adventurous and sculptural design” took its cues from the historic district. Higgins provided an overview of nearby buildings that exemplified the characteristics of the Tribeca West Historic District, including the tradition of crafted ornamental brick, deep facades, and balconies. He pointed to the use of ornamental brick on the individually-landmarked Western Union Building at 60 Hudson Street, and cited the Civic Center Synagogue as an example of avant-garde and sculptural design within the district. (more…)