06.3 - 916 Congress Ave - 2007 Approved Plans — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS C14H-82-0001-F 916 CONGRESS AVENUE C.2 - 1 MARCH 26, 2007 PROPOSAL Remove existing second-story window and replace with a new steel-framed door in the shape and profile of the existing window; construct a new steel deck and canopy across the front of the building. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The proposed replacement door will have a pained steel frame with a profile and configuration matching the existing window. The proposed new deck and canopy will be constructed of painted steel columns with a painted steel guardrail in an X-pattern and a perforated metal scalloped-edge canopy with a cloverleaf pattern to complement the cloverleaf pattern on the quoins of the building. The ceiling of the canopy will be pressed tin with recessed lighting. The floor of the deck will be tiled. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW The Commission’s Standards for Review of applications for Certificates of Appropriateness include: · Do not destroy the distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure, or site and its environment. Avoid the removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features. · Recognize all buildings, structures, and sites as products of their own time. Do not construct alterations which have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance. · Treat with sensitivity distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure, or site. · Repair, rather than replace deteriorated architectural features wherever possible. In the event replacement is necessary, the new material should match the material being replaced in composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities. Base the repair or replacement of missing architectural features on accurate duplications of features, substantiated by historical, physical, or pictorial evidence rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different architectural elements from other buildings or structures. · Contemporary designs for alterations and additions to existing properties are appropriate when such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historic, architectural, or cultural material and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of the property, neighborhood, or environment. STAFF COMMENTS The front of this building was extensively renovated in 1982, when the non-historic storefront was replaced. Historic photographs of the Larmour Block show canopies with decks across the fronts of the buildings. The canopy and deck at 916 Congress Avenue appears to have a scalloped three-bay fascia across the front, although the material is undeterminable from the photograph. The railing of the deck above the canopy has an X-pattern like the deck at the building just to the north. STAFF RECOMMENDATION C.2 - 2 Staff recommends approval of the project as proposed with the further recommendation that the applicant salvage and store the existing window to be replaced with a door. The applicant presented this case to the Commission in February, 2007 and was denied a Certificate of Appropriateness upon staff’s recommendation. The applicant and staff have reviewed historic photographs of the building and the proposed design for the canopy and railing are in keeping with the historic canopy on the building at the turn of the 20th century. The proportions of the scalloped fascia canopy are consistent with the historic canopy; the X-railing on the guardrail is consistent with the existing railing on the balcony deck. There are no historic photographs showing the historic canopy “head-on”; the proportions of the proposed canopy match the historic canopy to the greatest extent possible and restore the historic appearance of the building. The perforated fascia is a new element to the building, but consistent with the canopies shown in historic photographs in proportion if not material and complement historic architectural features on the building. The use of a door in place of the right window on the second story preserves the unique architecture of the central window undisturbed and provides the access desired for the balcony deck. LOCATION MAP C.2 - 3 916 CONGRESS AVENUE C.2 - 4 Note the ornamentation of the central second-story window and the X-pattern railing on the building to the right. HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE LARMOUR BLOCK - 900 BLOCK OF CONGRESS AVENUE C.2 - 5 C.2 - 6 C.2 - 7 C.2 - 8