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Rooftop bulkhead, railings and skylights approved at Fort Greene row house
Summary
The commission approved installation of a sloped rooftop stair access bulkhead, roofdeck railings and skylights at 217 DeKalb Avenue after staff found most views would be oblique or seasonal and similar treatments had been approved nearby.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission on June 17 approved a rooftop stair-access bulkhead, rooftop deck railings and several skylights at 217 DeKalb Avenue in the Fort Greene Historic District.
Preservation staff presented mock-ups and visibility studies showing the stucco‑finished bulkhead (about 8 feet 5 inches tall at its highest point) and minimal-height metal guardrails would only be visible in oblique views over rear facades and from nearby playgrounds in winter when trees are bare. The mock-up photos and visibility comparisons with a previously approved stair at 203 DeKalb Avenue helped the commission judge the proposal consistent with existing rooftop accretions and surrounding mechanical equipment.
After brief discussion, commissioners closed the hearing and voted to approve the work. Brooklyn Community Board 2 had recommended rotating an HVAC unit to reduce railing visibility; the applicant said they worked with staff through mock‑ups to minimize visible equipment. The approval requires the stair bulkhead and railings to remain simple in design and for any visible equipment to be integrated or screened.
