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Commission approves in-kind window replacements at 950 Park Avenue despite one dissent
Summary
Owners of apartment 950 Park Avenue received approval to replace failing single-pane tilt-and-turn windows in kind to match existing upper-floor fenestration; the vote passed 7–1 with one commissioner urging retention or a master plan to restore original wood windows.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved in-kind replacement of single-pane aluminum tilt-and-turn windows at 950 Park Avenue on Dec. 16, 2025, allowing the owner to proceed with window replacements needed for safety and habitability while noting a longer-term master plan for the building would be desirable.
Owner Daniel Kaftal and consultant Jackie Puduvalen presented photos and historic context, saying earlier replacements (in the 1980s) have deteriorated: locks fail, panes show moisture damage, and parts are no longer manufactured. Kaftal said the replacements are necessary for his family to move into the apartment during an ongoing renovation. HDC and Friends of the Upper East Side supported the proposed in-kind windows but urged a building master plan to return to original wood divided‑light windows over time.
Most commissioners found the in-kind replacement appropriate to maintain a uniform fenestration pattern; Commissioner Goldblum dissented, arguing the building should retain or restore original wood multi‑light windows. The motion to approve carried 7–1.
Why it matters: the decision balances pragmatic safety and habitability concerns against preservation goals to restore original window fabric across the building.
What's next: owners may proceed with the in-kind replacements; building stakeholders continue to discuss a longer-term master plan to restore original window configurations.
