Renovation plan sparks debate over historic fence replacement

In a recent meeting, the commissioners reviewed an application to modify the areaway wall and replace the fencing at 829 Park Avenue, a neoclassical apartment building located in the Upper East Side Historic District. The proposal, presented by GMV of Allen Kilcoin Architects, aims to replace the existing granite stone wall and iron fence along the East 76th Street elevation.

The building, constructed between 1910 and 1911, features a low granite wall that currently supports a seven-foot-two-inch fence, which has been criticized for its \"sawtooth\" appearance due to the varying heights of the wall. The proposed design seeks to create a uniform height for the fence, with panels ranging from four feet to seven feet three inches, thereby enhancing the visual coherence of the structure.

During the discussion, Commissioner Ginsburg raised concerns about the necessity of replacing the existing fence, questioning whether it was too deteriorated to repair. Rob Hege from Allen Kilcoin Architects responded that the replacement was primarily motivated by the desire to eliminate the stepped appearance of the current fence, which detracts from the building's aesthetic.

Public testimony included support from Zeynep Turan of the Friends of the Upper East Side, who praised the proposal for introducing a harmonious balance to the areaway. Conversely, Christina Conway from the Victorian Society New York expressed skepticism, arguing that the existing fence's simple design is more appropriate for the historic context and that the proposed changes could compromise the integrity of the original granite wall.

The Manhattan Community Board 8 has recommended approval of the project, which will now be considered further by the commissioners. The outcome of this proposal could set a precedent for future modifications in the historic district, balancing preservation with modernization efforts.