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Commission asks for redesigns after hearing on two proposed infill houses in Addisley Park
Summary
Applicants presented two single-family houses for vacant lots in the Addisley Park Historic District. Commissioners closed the hearing without action and asked for substantial revisions: reduce "twin" appearance, lower stoop heights, rework rooflines, minimize paving and better integrate porches and materials with neighborhood precedents.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission heard a paired submission for two new single-family houses on vacant lots in the Addisley Park Historic District and closed the public hearing without taking a vote, requesting that the applicants return with revisions.
Architect Saba Ben Amara and team presented two neo-Tudor–inspired houses intended to reference the neighborhood's early 20th-century revival styles. The applicants said they had community-board support. Preservation counsel and the Historic Districts Council recommended refinements: less paving in front, stronger roof profiles, and porches that better match neighborhood precedent.
Commissioners agreed the initial concept needs further development. Key concerns included the two houses' "twin" appearance — commissioners repeatedly urged the team to introduce stronger differences between the paired houses so they read as two independent homes rather than a developer pair. Commissioners also asked the applicants to lower the elevated basements/stoops where feasible, to refine roof pitches and dormer placement for more three-dimensional massing, to reduce the paved areas in front yards in favor of lawn, and to revisit porches and entry materials so each house better references specific neighborhood precedents rather than replicating the same composition twice.
Chair Carroll and other commissioners emphasized study with staff of materiality, stone detailing and window-wall relationships; Commissioner Goldblum urged the team to "introduce a little more aesthetic variety" so the two houses do not look like "match twins." The commission left the record open for further design work and asked the applicants to return with revisions — no vote was taken at the March 25 hearing.
Next steps - LPC staff will work with the applicants on a revised submission that addresses commissioners' comments about massing, rooflines, stoop height and material choices. The commission expects the project to return for further review.
