Commission approves facade alterations at 856 Market Street; owner supports staff conditions

The Historic Preservation Commission considered a request for a major permit to alter at 856 Market Street on Dec. 16 and voted to approve the proposed exterior alterations with three staff conditions to ensure compatibility with the conservation district and Secretary of the Interior Standards.

Planning staff outlined the proposed work: a new facade clad in smooth and textured concrete, cement-board panels with aluminum-frame storefront and windows, a deeply recessed storefront with centered entry highlighted by a red metal frame, a perforated red metal panel behind glazing, and internally illuminated blade and wall signs. Staff also reported that the Architectural Review Committee reviewed the project and that most ARC recommendations were incorporated; one recommendation (a projecting bevel at the pier base) could not be achieved due to property-line constraints.

A representative for the owner, Russell Shirley (New Balance), told the commission the three staff-recommended conditions were acceptable and the developer looks forward to improving an unsightly building in the district. Staff recommended, and the commission adopted, three conditions including preservation-staff review of a mock-up of the cladding system, review of shop drawings or material samples for the perforated metal screen transparency, and review of illumination methods for the wall sign. The motion to approve with conditions passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

Ending: The project was approved with conditions intended to ensure materials, transparency and illumination meet district standards; staff will review mock-ups and samples as part of permit compliance.