Commission approves new canopy cladding and halo-lit sign at 524 Broadway in SoHo

The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 8–0 on Sept. 9 to approve modifications to the entrance canopy and installation of halo-lit signage at 524 Broadway, a store-and-loft building in the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District. The work, presented as a limited alteration to an existing, commission-approved canopy, will replace the canopy’s perimeter cladding with black aluminum facials, install individually mounted, halo-lit white letters and logo on the canopy face, and apply a grayscale translucent film to five glazed canopy panels. Julie Rosen, the project’s preservation consultant, told the commission the proposal “is limited to canopy and signage changes at the main retail entry” and that the team reduced the scale of the cladding and letters by 25 percent after staff feedback. The commission heard that the canopy is nearly 30 years old and that the proposed cladding is a mechanical attachment with no structural changes or impacts to historic fabric or existing storefront tiebacks. Rosen said a mock-up was installed to test the film that will hide accumulated debris while retaining light transmission. Commissioners discussed drainage and the canopy’s pitch; staff and the project team confirmed a two-inch drainage gap and said the application does not change the canopy’s existing drainage function. Commissioner Michael Mahan said the proposal ‘‘increases presence, but does so in a reasonable manner’’ and found the signage well-scaled to the marquee and facade. Commissioner Mann moved the motion to approve and Commissioner Chen seconded. The commission’s finding noted that the work is limited to a previously approved canopy, that the sign and cladding would be proportionally modest in relation to the building, and that the translucent film is reversible. The motion passed with eight votes in favor and none opposed. Manhattan Community Board 2 recommended approval. The commission’s decision leaves the existing flagpoles in place; staff clarified that flags on existing poles are being handled at the staff level. The approved signage type — halo-lit, individually mounted letters with concealed attachments — is approvable at the staff level when sited on an existing, commission-approved canopy, but in this case the canopy alteration was reviewed by the full commission because the canopy itself is being modified. The commission approved the work with attention to the reduced proportions shown in the presentation; the applicant will proceed to construction consistent with the approved drawings and with concealed electrical and attachment details.