Commission OKs rooftop addition, window and area‑way restorations at Greenwich Village row house

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for work at 104 Greenwich Avenue in the Greenwich Village Historic District on Aug. 12. The applicant sought permission to construct a setback rooftop addition, reconfigure a studio window, restore parlor‑floor windows to earlier heights, and reopen a buried front area way with ironwork. The applicant (identified in the hearing as the project representative for 104 Greenwich) described a modest setback penthouse set back about 12 feet from the front facade, clad in vertical white siding, with a green roof in back and a small front deck. The proposal also includes restoring or reinstating 4‑over‑4 painted wood sash at the main floors and installing French outswing casement windows at the rebuilt studio window. The project includes lowering the parlor‑floor windows and reconstructing a historic small iron‑bounded area way that was documented in an early photograph in the packet. Preservation groups raised concerns about rooftop visibility. Village Preservation and Manhattan Community Board 2 questioned whether any addition could be set back far enough to avoid visibility from farther northwest along Greenwich Avenue; Village Preservation urged the commission to reject the rooftop addition as presented. The Victorian Society testified it preferred reduced visibility but found the addition acceptable in context with neighboring rooftop accretions. Commission discussion focused on context along the avenue, materials, and the visible mock‑up. Several commissioners supported the overall package while asking the applicant to work with staff on the color and finish of the penthouse to reduce visual impact. The commission’s motion approved the full set of proposals, with a specific direction that the applicant work with staff on the penthouse color and final detailing. The vote was recorded as unanimous among present commissioners (9–0 as reported).