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LPC approves lofted rear additions and removal of party wall for Loewe’s Madison Avenue flagship with one commissioner opposed
Summary
The commission approved the conversion of two Neo-Grec houses at 694–696 Madison Avenue for a Loewe flagship, including a full-height rear addition at one address and removal of the interior party wall; one commissioner voted no over concerns about erasing the separate building identities.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved plans to convert 694 and 696 Madison Avenue into a single commercial flagship for the Spanish fashion house Loewe, including storefront replacement, removal of the party wall, and rear- and rooftop-related work.
Applicant teams presented a pared-back storefront and revised awning approach, and scaled-back rear-yard additions and rooftop bulkheads after commissioners asked for changes at the January hearing. The revised design retains the top floor at 696 and sets back the full-height rear extension at 694 to the party-wall line while maintaining the cornice line and some window bays at 696.
Commissioners praised the revised storefront and awnings for increasing transparency and harmonizing with Madison Avenue’s varied storefront vocabulary. Several commissioners supported the rear-yard revisions because the rear facades are not visible from the public thoroughfare and the block’s rear-yard context contains many large accretions and rooftop additions.
Commissioner Joseph Goldblum opposed the project, saying he could not support eradication of the party wall and the full-height rear addition at the southern building because he believed they removed the legible reading of the two original building volumes even if the area is not visible from the street.
Commissioner Lutfi read the motion recommending approval with conditions; Commissioner Master seconded. The roll call recorded six yes votes and one no; the motion passed.
The approval is conditioned on the applicant working with staff on final details and complying with Department of Buildings structural requirements for party-wall replacement.
