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LPC holds 809 Madison Avenue project for refinements after broad support for restoration and rooftop plan
Summary
The Landmarks Preservation Commission expressed broad support for Robert A.M. Stern Architects’ restoration, fenestration changes and two‑story penthouse proposal for 809 Madison Avenue, but asked the applicant to return with refinements on some window enlargements, terracotta detailing and penthouse proportions.
Commissioners on June 10 generally supported a comprehensive rehabilitation and visible rooftop addition at 809 Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side Historic District but opted to take no final action and asked the applicant to return with minor refinements.
Ramza (developer) and Robert A.M. Stern Architects presented a program to restore the building’s limestone base, repair and match brick and terracotta details, infill side and rear yards to enlarge floor plans, consolidate mechanical equipment within a new two‑story penthouse and bulkhead, and enlarge several small service windows to typical residential proportions. Project designers said the plan draws on contemporaneous Madison Avenue precedents and seeks to "complete" a corner building whose original penthouse shown in early renderings was never realized.
Public testimony included support from architectural critics and preservation organizations: Paul Goldberger called the proposal "an improved member of the chorus" of Madison Avenue buildings and the Skyscraper Museum’s Carol Willis (testimony read by a colleague) praised the sensitive approach. Friends of the Upper East Side urged the applicant to refine the penthouse massing so it more closely followed stepped‑back rooftop precedents; the Manhattan Community Board recommended mixed approval, supporting restoration but not all enlargements; the New York Landmarks Conservancy sent a letter raising concerns about the visibility and scale of the rooftop addition and some alterations.
Commissioners commended the restoration but raised questions in three areas: (1) specific window enlargements, especially a new gap‑bay window on the 60‑Eighth Street elevation that alters the corner composition; (2) whether terracotta surrounds and string courses should be preserved intact where the additions touch that material; and (3) the penthouse massing and floor‑to‑floor heights—several commissioners suggested exploring modest reductions in height or other devices to lessen perceived bulk while keeping mechanical enclosures concealed.
Outcome: commission took no action and asked the design team to supply refined drawings addressing window grouping, terracotta detailing and penthouse proportions for a follow‑up review. Staff and commissioners signaled general support for restoration and for enclosing mechanicals, subject to the refinements requested.
