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Landmarks Commission OKs satin‑steel address letters atop marquee at 11 East 20th Street
Summary
On Jan. 7, 2025, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission approved an amendment allowing satin‑stainless dimensional letters on the marquee of 11 East 20th Street in the Madison Square North Historic District; the letters will be externally lit by an LED strip and not internally illuminated.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on Jan. 7 approved an amendment allowing illuminated, satin‑stainless steel address lettering on the marquee of 11 East 20th Street in the Madison Square North Historic District.
The commission’s director of preservation, Corey Hirala, opened the item as an amendment to a prior approval of renovation work at the neo‑Gothic store-and-loft building; the current change limits new identification to dimensional letters mounted on top of the previously approved marquee, with a linear LED fixture at the base to cast a soft glow. Jeff Ellerbrock, an architect with MDAS Architects representing the applicant, described the letters as “about 5 feet across and 10 inches high” and said, “It's not internally illuminated.”
The commission’s recommendation, read into the record by a commissioner, found that the proposed size, material and placement are appropriate for the marquee and “will not detract from the special architectural and historic character of the Madison Square North District.” Commissioners voted 9–0 to approve the amendment.
The application covers signage only; the commission noted the broader 2023 approval for rehabilitation work at 11 East 20th Street that included storefront repairs, masonry restoration, a rooftop addition and a revived terracotta parapet. Project representatives said storefront and base restoration work is scheduled for the spring, with the rooftop addition and parapet restoration expected toward the end of the summer.
Commission discussion described the signage as modest in scale and consistent with examples of building identification mounted on marquees in nearby districts. The applicant provided drawings showing how the letters will be attached to the marquee and noted the letters’ satin finish will read differently depending on light. The commission emphasized that the letters are limited to the marquee face and sides and that illumination will come from a discrete external linear LED at the sign’s base rather than internal lighting, in keeping with district rules discussed by the applicant.
The commission’s action amends LPC application LPC 25‑05385 to include the marquee lettering. A roll call at the end of the vote recorded nine affirmative votes and no oppositions. After the vote the meeting moved on to the first public hearing item and a notice that the meeting’s Zoom connection required restarting to admit public attendees.
