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Owner seeks exterior restoration and rooftop access at 252 West 11th Street; committee asks about visibility and materials
Summary
Architect Ellen Martin presented plans to convert 252 West 11th Street from multi‑unit to single‑family, replace windows, add a stair bulkhead and rooftop access, and reopen recessed brick bays as windows; the board asked about bulkhead visibility, air‑conditioning units, and proposed black paint on entrance and window trim.
Architect Ellen Martin presented plans on behalf of the new owner of 252 West 11th Street, a brownstone in the Greenwich Village Historic District, explaining a program of façade repairs, window replacements, and a proposed roof stair bulkhead to provide roof access. The scope includes converting the interior to a single‑family residence, replacing deteriorated bay windows and a structurally compromised south‑facing bay (already approved at staff level), installing a modest stair/bulkhead set back toward the rear, consolidating three basement openings into folding doors, repainting and brownstone touch‑ups, and replacing an existing metal stoop in kind.
Martin said the rooftop bulkhead has been sited as low and far to the rear as feasible; sight‑line diagrams and a mockup on the roof were shown to demonstrate limited street visibility. Committee members asked about material choices for the bulkhead (vertical metal siding proposed), the placement and visibility of two condenser units (designed to be tucked to the south and not visible from the public way), and landscape and paving in the small side yard. One commissioner suggested favoring a slightly lighter door and trim color rather than an unrelieved black for the front entrance and window trim to reduce a heavy visual effect on the street. The applicant confirmed a 12‑inch lowering of the terrace grade at the rear to gain interior headroom and said the basement area will be excavated by one foot to accommodate the change; presenters said no underpinning of neighboring foundations is proposed and that engineers have completed borings and shoring plans where required.
The committee generally responded positively to the restoration approach, while asking the team to confirm final materials and placement of mechanical equipment so sight lines and neighbor impacts can be minimized. Several items (replacement windows, bay repairs, and staff‑level items) were noted as already cleared for staff review and will proceed with the usual staff‑level approvals.
