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Grace Church to use limestone and limited cast stone for masonry repairs after LPC sign-off
Summary
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a masonry-restoration plan for Grace Church (788 Broadway) that uses Indiana limestone for highly visible elements and cast stone for limited, minimally visible tracery and balustrade units to address extensive deterioration and leaking; commission required staff review of final color and profiles.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Jan. 28 approved masonry restoration and leak remediation work at Grace Church (788 Broadway), an individual landmark, allowing the use of Indiana limestone for prominent decorative units and cast stone for a small set of minimally visible tracer and balustrade units.
Why it matters: The church faces active deterioration of carved decorative stone (originally Sing Sing marble) that is allowing water infiltration into interior plaster and finishes. The project team said the most vulnerable elements include window tracery and balustrade drip-edge units; replacement is required to stop ongoing leaks that have damaged interior finishes in the south aisle.
Scope and proposed materials: Building Conservation Associates explained that the work focuses on the south aisle and includes: selective replacement of deteriorated tracery units (four stained-glass windows), conservation of stained-glass panels and installation of protective glazing, roof membrane repair, and isolated masonry repairs. Because Sing Sing marble is highly susceptible to disaggregation, BCA proposed Indiana limestone for highly visible and ornamental features and cast stone for repetitive, plain-profile units and four tracer units that are largely concealed within a narrow areaway formed by a later-added chantry wall.
Debate and public comment: Preservation groups questioned using cast stone as a substitute material, urging limestone for all replacements and noting that cast stone can weather differently over time. The Victorian Society and Historic Districts Council specifically urged the use of Indiana limestone and said a self-imposed construction deadline was not a sufficient reason to change materials. Grace Church representatives and BCA said the cast stone units would be limited to areas that are minimally visible and that cast stone offers fabrication efficiencies and cost savings; they also noted previous restoration campaigns at Grace used limestone.
Action and conditions: The commission found that the tracer windows proposed for cast stone are largely not visible from Broadway (obscured by the chantry and areaway) and that limestone has been used on the building in earlier campaigns. Commissioners asked the project team to work closely with staff on final color, texture and profile matching of both cast stone and limestone. The LPC voted to approve the work, finding the repairs necessary to correct unsafe and deteriorated conditions and not to detract from the landmark's character.
Ending: The commission approved the mixed-material approach with the requirement that the applicant pursue close staff review for final samples and profiles to ensure long-term compatibility.
