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Commission approves three‑story rear addition at 152 Hicks Street with material and design conditions
Summary
The commission approved a three‑story rear addition at 152 Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights, finding the proposed massing and materials appropriate despite objections from preservation groups that the addition was too tall.
The Landmark Preservation Commission on Sept. 16 approved a three‑story rear addition at 152 Hicks Street in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District after hearing public comment and staff presentations.
Applicant Kiva Sullivan and owner representative Nick O’Keefe described a proposal to remove an existing two‑story rear addition and replace it with a three‑story extension that aligns with the neighboring rear facade at 154 Hicks Street and features an off‑center double‑height projecting bay. "The proposed addition will extend out to align with the neighboring rear facade at 154 Hicks Street," Sullivan said during her presentation.
The Brooklyn Heights Association and the Historic Districts Council spoke in opposition. Judy Stanton of the Brooklyn Heights Association said the proposal should be modified, arguing the upper story should be eliminated or narrowed to preserve the modest scale of the original wood‑frame Greek Revival house. Kaylee Johnson of the Historic Districts Council said the application was "inappropriate" and that the top story was "one story too tall."
Commissioners reviewed the case and several found the design appropriate in context because the property is sandwiched between deeper buildings and the addition will be largely unseen from public thoroughfares. Materials proposed include off‑white stucco cladding, charcoal Hardie board at the existing top floor, a two‑story aluminum‑clad projecting bay, and glass railings. Commissioner Ekumbay noted the application retained the top floor and said the proposed cladding and bay window are compatible with neighboring examples.
The commission voted to approve the application; staff will handle certain top‑floor cladding work at the staff level if the addition is approved. Brooklyn Community Board 2 recommended approval with conditions (pulling back the third‑floor terrace railing and relocating a rear stair to preserve an on‑site tree), which the applicant said she addressed in revised stair work to protect the tree. The approval was recorded as unanimous.
