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Commission delays decision on 130—132 West 18th Street rooftop addition after split public reaction
Summary
A proposal to restore storefronts and add a partially visible rooftop at the combined 130—132 West 18th Street carriage houses drew divided testimony: preservation groups urged reduced visibility and more restorative ground-floor treatment while the applicant and the artist-owner argued the work would rehabilitate a dilapidated building and keep an artist studio downtown. Commissioners asked for revisions and further study.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission heard extensive testimony on Jan. 13 about an application to install storefront infill and construct a rooftop addition at 130—132 West 18th Street (LPC 26-02405), a pair of former carriage houses and individual landmarks. The commission did not take a final vote and asked the applicant to return with revisions responding to concerns about rooftop visibility and ground-floor restoration.
Architect and applicant representative "Bridal" presented the proposal on behalf of the owner and artist Sarah Zee, describing a plan to restore brick facades, reopen original carriage openings, install glass infill and wood doors at the ground floor, and add a modest third-floor vertical extension articulated as a sloped northern skylight. The team proposed using cross-laminated timber (CLT) for the addition and zinc-coated metal framing for new windows.
Preservation groups pressed for more conservative treatment. John Graham of the Victorian Society said the proposal "would not fix anything besides one door opening" and that the rooftop addition would be too visible on a two-story landmark. Manhattan Community Board 4 recommended denial unless the rooftop addition is redesigned to be non-visible from the opposite sidewalk, the center brick pier is reconstructed and ground-floor openings are returned to their historic heights. Safe Chelsea echoed concerns about preserving historic fabric.
The Historic Districts Council said it generally found the rooftop addition appropriate and minimally visible but urged a more restorative approach to ground-floor details, especially the raised head of the eastern wide opening. The applicant's preservation consultant noted the center bay was created in 1907 during the building's conversion and said the application reopens original carriage openings to historic size.
Commissioners discussed whether LPC has a recorded policy forbidding visible rooftop additions (staff clarified there is no blanket LPC standard; decisions are made case by case) and suggested the applicant explore moving the addition back, adjusting angles or roof height, and refining storefront mullions and materials with staff. Because commissioners lacked the votes to approve the application as presented, they declined to act and asked the applicant to work with staff and return with a revised proposal.
The hearing record includes detailed conservation recommendations and requests for further information on materials, visibility studies and possible adjustments to the rooftop and storefront details.
