Commission approves COA for Julius Castle with conditions including materials board and paint mock‑up

The Historic Preservation Commission voted Oct. 16 to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for Julius Castle (city landmark No. 121, 302 Greenwich Street) with conditions designed to abate prior unpermitted work and guide restoration.

Planning staff recommended the COA after reviewing the sponsor27s proposed scope and site visits. The recommended conditions—accepted with edits by the commission—require an architectural addendum and more specific drawings and dimensions showing proposed replacement elements; a materials board with samples and mock‑ups (including paint mockups) before an architectural addendum is issued; and a conditions assessment if replacement exceeds a 50% threshold.

Staff explained the additions will be restored to match identified historic materials and that certain prior non‑historic work would be corrected. "We believe the project does meet the Secretary of Interior standards," staff told the commission, while asking for several standard conditions (dimensioned elevations, mock‑ups, and review of materials) to ensure compliance.

Project sponsor Paul Scott said he intends to return the property to historic use and asked for clarity about several conditions; he also proposed alternatives for a retaining wall and gate to preserve yard function while addressing stability. The commission accepted several clarifications from the sponsor and asked staff to fold the most critical conditions into the final addendum process.

The vote to approve the COA with amended conditions passed unanimously, 6–0.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are listed in the commission minutes and were present at the Oct. 16 meeting.