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Commission approves storefront renovation, aluminum-clad windows and salvaged-stone infill at 101 W. State St.
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission approved proposed second-floor aluminum-clad windows, a fiberglass front door and infill of two nonfunctional storefront openings at 101 West State Street, requiring the infill be built from salvaged stone set back about an inch to show the former openings.
At the Oct. 21 meeting the commission approved revisions to an earlier 2025 permit for 101 West State Street, a limestone storefront on State Street. The owner presented plans to reopen and reuse the retail space and sought approval for three related changes: replacement of upper-story windows with aluminum-clad units (with wood interior casing), a change in the previously approved front door to a fiberglass model of slightly different panel configuration, and infill of two "blind" windows with masonry.
Owner/contractor Dennis (applicant) told commissioners the existing upper-story sash are "vinyl replacements" installed decades ago and that aluminum-clad windows would match other new storefront aluminum and reduce maintenance for the building owner. Dennis said he could replace original sashes "and do everything original for $50,000" but offered the aluminum-clad option because of maintenance and cost considerations.
On the blind-window infill commissioners reviewed three masonry options. The commission favored using salvaged stone from the site where available and recessed the infill about one inch to preserve a detectable "ghost" or reveal of the former openings; staff and the applicant agreed the lintel/header and sill should be retained. The commission asked that masons avoid an obviously engineered pattern (for example, a row of small rubble at the top grading to large pieces at the bottom) and use the salvaged material to produce a natural rubble appearance.
A motion to approve the proposed adjustments'aluminum-clad windows with wood casing on the front elevation, the fiberglass front door as presented, and the blind-window infill using salvaged stone recessed approximately one inch while retaining header and sill'carried. The commission's roll-call recorded "Aye" votes from the commissioners present.
The approval records specify the front elevation only (upper-story windows and door) and direct the applicant to use salvaged stone for the blind-window infill, to recess the infill roughly one inch to provide a reveal, and to retain header and sill elements so the opening could be returned to a window in the future if desired.
Provenance: The staff presentation and applicant comments begin at the 1744-minute mark for this item in the record; the motion and roll-call appear at the end of that agenda item near 3181-3195 minutes of the transcript.
