LPC Sends Wilbraham Storefront Proposal Back for Redesign; Preservation Groups Call for Restorative Approach

The Landmarks Preservation Commission asked the applicant to restudy and return with revised drawings for storefront work at 284 Fifth Avenue (the Wilbraham), an 1888–90 Romanesque Revival individual landmark at Fifth Avenue and West 30th Street. Commissioners and preservation advocates raised concerns that proposed sign bands, mullion covers and bulkheads would obscure or fail to restore character‑defining features and recommended a more restoration‑oriented approach.

Architects from Karen Pierce Stone and associates presented a package that addressed unpermitted replacement glazing on the Thirtieth Street facade, removal of bulky roll‑down shutter housings and replacement of worn granite near the main Fifth Avenue entrance. The team proposed two stainless‑steel‑framed signage boxes with internally lit, opaque white acrylic lettering, painted storefront frames and adhesive mullions applied to the interior and exterior panes to visually approximate historic mullions. On Thirtieth Street the applicants proposed reinstating a painted, fire‑rated bulkhead with moldings that reference historic profiles and installing fixed, translucent interior display panels hung from the interior soffit.

Preservation commenters urged a more restorative approach. The Victorian Society argued that historic photos and the designation report show original transoms and bulkhead grills remain behind modern cladding and that the project should reinstate bulkheads and reveal the cast‑iron column that previous presenters said remains behind modern material. The Historic Districts Council recommended the applicant restore the storefront configuration to the original design and materials where feasible. Manhattan Community Board 5 recommended denial.

Commissioners generally agreed the project improved the current mismatched conditions, removed obtrusive shutter housings and addressed damaged granite, but several commissioners said certain elements required rethinking on an individual‑landmark corner. Specific concerns included: (1) covering or placing sign bands over existing transoms where the original transoms are extant; (2) the proposed application of adhesive mullions on one facade and a different mullion detail on the other; (3) whether the cast‑iron column is actually present behind modern cladding and should be revealed; and (4) whether the granite cladding at the pier should match existing adjacent stone rather than a dark finish. Commissioners asked the applicants to work further with staff and to return with revised designs that place higher priority on revealing and restoring original, surviving elements.

The LPC closed the hearing and directed the project team to revise the proposal and return for further review rather than voting that day.

Sources: Applicant presentation, historic images and designation report excerpts, public testimony from Victorian Society and Historic Districts Council, May 13, 2025 LPC meeting.