Commission approves permit to alter for 1035 Howard Street with conditions on windows and materials

The Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a major permit to alter for 1035 Howard St, an Art Deco reinforced‑concrete industrial building, subject to conditions requiring contractor cut sheets and staff review of key materials.

Planning staff described the proposal as demolishing ancillary rear structures and constructing a five‑story addition connected by a hyphen, reinstating historic storefronts and rehabilitating or replacing deteriorated steel‑sash windows. The department concluded the work would conform with Article 11 of the Planning Code and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and recommended approval with conditions: submittal of product cut sheets and shop drawings for windows, storefronts and gates; staff review for any building permit refinements required for life‑safety; and a historic building maintenance plan to be implemented while the new office use remains active.

Architect Ollie Lundberg explained design choices to reveal the historic building and to use compatible industrial sash proportions where replacement is necessary. Commissioners focused on window material and consistency: several said original steel sash should be retained and restored where feasible; staff said replacements would be steel sash to match the originals, but noted the sponsor requested limited flexibility to use compatible metal sash in places where originals are missing. The commission asked staff to add language ensuring fenestration consistency. After discussion the commission approved the staff recommendation and conditions and recorded a unanimous vote among participating commissioners.