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Commission approves rooftop addition and rear reconstruction at Cobble Hill rowhouse; staff to explore reducing chimney visibility
Summary
The commission approved a setback rooftop addition, reconstruction of the rear facade and replacement of the entry doors at 27 Strong Place in Cobble Hill, with a condition that the applicant and staff explore ways to reduce the visibility of new front chimney extensions.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a rooftop addition, rear-façade reconstruction and replacement of the front doors at 27 Strong Place in the Cobble Hill Historic District on March 25, while asking the applicant to work with staff to reduce the visibility of new chimney extensions.
Applicant representatives said the rear masonry is in poor condition, documented in an engineer's report provided to staff, and proposed to reconstruct the rear upper floors in brick with cast-stone lintels and sills while aligning the top two floors' fenestration with the neighboring rowhouses. A modest, setback, one-story rooftop addition was proposed; applicants said the rooftop addition would not be visible from the street and that only the tops of newly clad chimneys would be visible in limited long-range or oblique views.
Commission discussion focused on preserving historic material where possible, the scale of the rooftop addition and the chimneys' public visibility. "I think the railing should be set back on the front," Commissioner Goldblum said, urging reduced visibility; other commissioners suggested staff explore whether the rear brick can be salvaged rather than replaced. The commission's approval noted the rear facade is in poor condition and that reconstruction is warranted, but recommended the applicant "work closely with staff to explore ways by which the visibility of the chimney can be reduced." The motion passed with nine votes in favor and none opposed.
Key project details include a proposed 9 ft 9 in rooftop addition interior height, a rooftop setback of about 17.5 feet from the front facade, reconstruction of the upper rear floors in red brick with cast-stone details and a 22-inch projection beyond the neighboring rear extension. Approval requires follow-up with staff on brick selection, mortar and detailing prior to permit issuance.
Votes at a glance - LPC 25-06592 (27 Strong Place, Cobble Hill Historic District): Approve replacement of entrance doors, construct setback rooftop addition, reconstruct rear façade and rebuild rear-yard extension; staff to explore ways to reduce chimney visibility. Motion passed 9-0.
