HPB approves revised residential tower at Versailles site; board endorses relocating Jack Stewart mural to public site

The Historic Preservation Board approved design modifications to the residential tower portion of the Versailles redevelopment (3425 Collins Avenue) after the applicant reduced overall height by nearly 30 feet, increased setbacks from the Versailles building, and agreed to several design and public‑art commitments.

Staff briefed the board on the history of the project and noted the applicant’s recent changes in response to the HPB’s December comments: a substantial overall height reduction, an increased eastward shift of the tower, reduced depth for many north‑facing balconies, and a larger, higher‑volume public lobby in the podium. Staff recommended approval of the revised tower massing as reducing the addition’s visual dominance, but asked the board to withhold approval of the three‑level basement portion located underneath the historic building until additional structural and monitoring details are submitted.

Applicant representatives emphasized the project’s public and economic benefits, described the project team and ownership group, and said the tower reduction and podium modifications were intended to improve sightlines and the relationship to the Versailles. The team also presented revised driveway details for the Collins Avenue frontage and committed to paver‑based drive surfaces and a substantial front‑yard planting plan; the HPB conditioned final approval of driveway treatments on board/staff review of the landscape package.

A high‑profile public art element — the Jack Stewart Apollo mural — was a lingering issue. The applicant proffered restoration and relocation of the mural; staff and the applicant presented a plan to relocate and reinstall the mural on a large public façade at the Scott Raikow Youth Center (Pine Tree Drive), which would place the restored mural in a highly visible public location rather than on private property. The board voted unanimously to recommend relocation and restoration and asked the applicant to provide final elevation and installation details prior to issuance of the tower permit. The applicant confirmed it will finance mural restoration and installation costs.

Board action: after discussion the HPB adopted the staff recommendations with two clarifications: (1) the three‑level basement portion underneath the existing contributing building will return to the HPB for separate review with detailed structural protections and monitoring, and (2) final landscaping/paving and curb‑cut materials for the Collins Avenue frontage will require HPB/staff review. The HPB approved the tower modification by a 6–1 vote (one board member opposed).