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Commission backs amendment to 140 Maiden Lane landmark to include interior fixtures; owner asks for streamlined approvals
Summary
The commission recommended an amendment to include interior features — ground‑floor spherical light fixtures and a pneumatic tube — in the landmark designation for the VC Morris shop at 140 Maiden Lane, and discussed delegating minor interior approvals to staff to ease leasing constraints.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted June 1 to recommend that an amendment to the landmark designation for 140 Maiden Lane (the VC Morris gift shop) include certain interior, character‑defining features and to forward the amendment to the Board of Supervisors.
Shannon Ferguson of the Planning Department presented the staff recommendation to amend the existing landmark designation (landmark number 72) to capture interior elements that are architecturally significant in Frank Lloyd Wright's realized shop. "The internal circular structure is equally as significant as the exterior and as a shop, it was historically publicly accessible," Ferguson said.
Sharon Slater, senior vice president of asset management for Downtown Properties and representative of the property owner, told the commission she supports preservation but is concerned that uncertainty about the approval process has deterred tenants. "My concern is that we've been having some trouble with the leasing of the building… the process of getting plans approved even within those guidelines is difficult," Slater said. She asked staff and commissioners to consider pre‑approved guidelines (for example, paint color palettes) to reduce barriers for desirable tenants.
Commissioners discussed whether the commission should add delegation language to allow staff to approve certain minor interior work or establish pre‑approved guidelines to streamline tenant approvals. Tim Frey, department staff, pointed to existing Article 10 and Article 11 mechanisms that permit delegation to staff and said the commission could amend the ordinance or use delegation later after meeting with property representatives.
The commission amended the staff recommendation to explicitly add the ground‑floor spherical light fixtures and the pneumatic tube at the ground and second levels as character‑defining features. The motion to forward the amended recommendation to the Board of Supervisors passed unanimously.
The owner’s representative said she hopes the department will work with the property owner to develop practical guidelines to allow activation of the site without compromising the building’s historic character.
