Landmarks Commission approves black repaint of 79–81 Spring Street, defers decision on Crosby Street flagpole

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on June 24 approved repainting the ground-floor storefront base and related trim at 79–81 Spring Street in the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District, and postponed action on a proposed flagpole on the building’s Crosby Street elevation.

The commission approved repainting the cast-iron and wood elements below the cornice Benjamin Moore “historic black” while preserving the upper stories’ existing “afternoon tea” color identified in a paint-analysis memorandum. Commissioners required a modification: the five double-hung windows on the Crosby Street elevation are to be repainted the original brown color identified in the paint study to maintain continuity with the windows above.

The project team — represented by Ethan Kaplan of Petersen/ Rich and Nathan Rich (on the call) — said their proposal would repaint the architectural elements below the cornice and add a flagpole mounted in the window jamb on Crosby Street to minimize masonry penetrations. Kaplan said the pole would be placed approximately 10 feet 7 inches from the corner and mounted to the wooden jamb with an added steel tube to reduce impact on brick or stone. The applicant proposed matching the detailing of an existing Spring Street pole and banner.

Public comment was split. Jeremy Woodoff of the Victorian Society, New York, urged the commission to limit new flagpoles, arguing “there are too many flagpoles and banners in this historic district.” Richard Moses of the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (LEHI) said his group “do[es] not object to this proposal,” noting flags have long characterized the district and that repainting “will not destroy or damage any of the building’s protected historic features.” Pete Davies, representing the Broadway Residents Coalition in SoHo and a 45-year resident, said he supported the repainting but “oppose[d] the installation of a new flag and flagpole,” calling the proposed Crosby location “unprecedented” on that side of the street.

Manhattan Community Board 2 formally recommended split action — approving the paint but objecting to the flagpole — a position reflected in the commissioners’ deliberations. After discussion, the commission approved the paint with the modification to retain the brown on the five Crosby Street double-hung windows and took no action on the proposed Crosby Street flagpole. The motion passed 7–0.

Why it matters: the Commission’s decision preserves a documented historic paint palette at the building’s upper stories while allowing a contemporary, darker treatment at the commercial base — a treatment the applicant and commissioners said echoes nearby storefronts and established district precedent. The postponement on the flagpole leaves the applicant the option to return with revised mounting or placement plans that further minimize physical impacts to the masonry.

Details: the paint decision was based on a previously completed paint analysis that identified the “afternoon tea” color on upper stories; the black base is proposed for the ground-floor infill, piers, cornice and canopy. The proposed flag dimensions and banner proportions were discussed during the hearing; commissioners referenced the flag as roughly 2 feet 4 inches wide by 9 feet long during deliberations.