Landmarks approves series of Brooklyn storefronts, rear‑yard and rooftop changes; new building proposed at former demolished brownstone

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a slate of Brooklyn certificate of appropriateness applications on Feb. 25, including stoop restoration in Clinton Hill, rear‑yard and rooftop additions in Park Slope and Prospect Heights, a new multifamily building on a lot where a designated brownstone had been demolished, a storefront sign in Prospect Heights, and skylights in Ditmas Park.

The decisions came after public testimony and staff presentations. Commissioners voted on each item in separate motions; conditions and staff follow‑up were attached to several approvals.

What the commission approved

260 Clinton Avenue (Clinton Hill Historic District, LPC-25-05428). The commission voted to approve a plan to reestablish a parlor‑floor entrance, stoop and railings at a French Second Empire rowhouse. The applicant, Alexander Stoltz of SADA Architecture, proposed a simplified, rectilinear stoop and newel design to respond to a lowered site grade and missing original ornament. Remote testimony from Citizens for Responsible Neighborhood Planning noted opportunities to make the restored stoop appear wider; staff and the commission required final fine‑tuning with staff on railing details. Motion passed (see votes below).

186 Eighth Avenue (Park Slope Historic District, LPC-25-04579). The commission approved a two‑story rear‑yard addition finished in painted wood and glass, set back eight inches from the masonry so it reads as a subordinate, modern infill. The Victorian Society urged a more masonry‑based treatment; the commission found the proposed wood‑and‑glass infill and reduced visibility appropriate to the block context and required staff review of the cornice and gutter detail so it does not project beyond the masonry.

92 Prospect Place (Park Slope Historic District Extension, LPC-25-04172). A two‑story rear addition, 15 feet deep, was approved. The applicant proposed painted brick at the rear to match neighboring facades and agreed to modify the back railing if requested by the community. Community Board 6 recommended approval with a condition to change horizontal railings to vertical; the applicant agreed to that condition.

20 Seventh Avenue (Park Slope Historic District, LPC-25-04975). The commission approved a four‑story, four‑unit new building on a vacant lot where a designated brownstone had been demolished following a Department of Buildings order. The applicants said design choices (brownstone‑colored stucco to emulate historic brownstone, two‑over‑two clad wood windows and a grade‑level accessible entrance) reflect the row’s remaining cornice and stoop profiles and allow barrier‑free access to a multifamily building. Several preservation groups supported filling the streetwall but urged closer specification of the facade finish and more study of the grade‑level entry so it reads as intentional; the commission approved the project with a condition that the facade be clad, working with staff, in either brownstone‑colored cast stone or a three‑coat stucco with matching color and texture, and that the entry surround be restudied. One commissioner abstained from the vote; the motion passed with eight votes in favor and one abstention.

186 Underhill Avenue (Prospect Heights Historic District, LPC-25-04543). The commission approved painted, fabricated signage for a new bakery storefront. The sign will be anchored into mortar joints and the applicant agreed to refine centering and length with staff; the Historic Districts Council and neighborhood groups urged a sign that aligns with the facade symmetry and historic precedents. The motion passed with one commissioner opposed.

273 Park Place (Prospect Heights Historic District, LPC-25-05485). The commission approved a one‑story rear‑yard addition (single‑story, 23 feet deep measured from the house rear) and a small, set‑back penthouse rooftop addition on the last house in a seven‑house row. The design preserves and restores the row’s characteristic oriel window and keeps the addition depressed about 18 inches below the oriel so the historic window is not structurally or visually harmed. Commissioners required the applicant to make a minor adjustment so an oblique railing remnant is not visible; staff noted the deep lot depth (approximately 131 feet) and found the single‑story intervention appropriate in this context.

42 East 18th Street (Ditmas Park Historic District, LPC-25-03997). The commission approved five skylights (most operable) on the roof of a freestanding Colonial Revival house; the applicant documented multiple neighboring houses with skylights and proposed dark‑colored frames to minimize visibility against the roof. Testimony noted other nearby examples; the commission found the work will not detract from the district’s character.

Votes at a glance

- 260 Clinton Ave (stoop): motion to approve made by Commissioner Chiu, seconded by Commissioner Master; recorded as passed (commission roll call: Chair Carroll — Aye; Commissioner Bland — Aye; Commissioner Chapin — Aye; Commissioner Chen — Aye; Commissioner Chiu — Aye; Commissioner Ginsburg — Aye; Commissioner Jefferson — Aye; Commissioner Lutfi — Aye; Commissioner Master — Aye).

- 186 Eighth Ave (rear addition): motion to approve by Commissioner Jefferson, seconded by Commissioner Master; roll call showed 9 in favor, none opposed.

- 92 Prospect Place (rear addition): motion to approve by Commissioner Chen, seconded by Vice Chair Bland; roll call showed 9 in favor, none opposed.

- 20 Seventh Ave (new building): motion to approve by Vice Chair Bland, seconded by Commissioner Chapin; roll call: Chair Carroll — Aye; Commissioner Bland — Aye; Commissioner Chapin — Aye; Commissioner Chen — Aye; Commissioner Chu — Aye; Commissioner Ginsburg — Abstain; Commissioner Jefferson — Aye; Commissioner Lutfi — Aye; Commissioner Master — Aye (8 in favor, 1 abstention).

- 186 Underhill (signage): motion to approve by Commissioner Chapin, seconded by Commissioner Jefferson; roll call: Chair Carroll — Aye; Commissioner Bland — Aye; Commissioner Chapin — Nay; Commissioner Chen — Aye; Commissioner Chu — Aye; Commissioner Ginsburg — Aye; Commissioner Jefferson — Aye; Commissioner Lutfi — Aye; Commissioner Master — Aye (8 in favor, 1 opposed).

- 273 Park Place (rear & rooftop additions): motion to approve by Commissioner Ginsburg, seconded by Commissioner Chen; roll call showed 9 in favor, none opposed.

- 42 E. 18th St. (skylights): motion to approve by Commissioner Chen, seconded by Commissioner Jefferson; roll call showed 9 in favor, none opposed.

Why it matters: these approvals affect streetscape character, options for additional housing, and how modern interventions are integrated into historic blocks. Several approvals included conditions requiring the applicant to “work with staff” on final details (railings, cornices, facade finish and entry surround), a common LPC approach to allow final technical refinements without returning the full project to the commission.

Next steps: applicants will return to staff with details required by the commission (material samples, refined cornice/gutter and entry details). The Modulator Building interior nomination (Manhattan) heard earlier in the meeting remains pending a vote at a future session.