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Landmarks commission allows visible kitchen exhaust flues on Broadway building after mitigation pledge
Summary
The commission approved installation of five wall‑mounted kitchen exhaust flues on the side facade of 915 Broadway—three for immediate use by the adjacent restaurant at 913 Broadway and two reserved for future tenants—asking that the flues be finished to blend with the brick and noting alternatives were constrained by windows and rooftop use.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted Dec. 17 to permit the installation of five wall‑mounted kitchen exhaust flues on the south facade of 915 Broadway, finding alternatives were limited by the building’s L‑shaped plan and existing fenestration.
Applicant representatives said three flues are required immediately to address an existing ventilation issue at 913 Broadway, where a recently renovated restaurant installed wood‑burning ovens. The applicant offered to install five flues at once—three for immediate use and two reserved for a potential future restaurant tenant at 915 Broadway—to avoid returning for later work. The applicant proposed painting the flues with high‑temperature paint to match the building’s brickwork.
Lucy Levine (Historic Districts Council) asked that the ductwork be shrouded in a decorative cowling to better relate to the masonry, and Manhattan Community Board 5 recommended denial unless (1) the flues could be moved to a less visible rear location and (2) the total number was limited to three. The applicant replied that moving flues further into the block would block windows and that an occupied rooftop terrace and prior roof work made relocation infeasible.
Commission discussion weighed the operational necessity for restaurant ventilation and the visual impact on a secondary lot‑line facade. Commissioners noted precedent for sidewall flues where no feasible alternative exists and accepted applicant mitigation by painting the flues to match the brick; the motion to approve passed on roll call (9‑0).
What’s next: applicant will install the flues as permitted and pursue any required building permits; staff may review finish details to ensure the paint and bracket attachments are compatible with the masonry.
