Commission approves French doors and signage at 53 East 77th, holds off on removing base windows

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Dec. 16 approved part of an amendment to a previously approved restoration at 53 East 77th Street: the panel found new French doors at the second-floor Juliet balconies, carved signage at the limestone base, and revised ironwork appropriate, but declined to approve the applicant's request to remove the small central windows in the limestone base.

Jonathan Taylor, presenting for the design team, said the earlier 2024 approval restored the building largely to its 1901 design and that the current request is a modest modification driven by the building's new program (a gallery lobby) and interior layout. Several preservation groups including the Victorian Society and HDC testified that the omission of the ground-floor openings is a significant departure from the historic composition and urged retaining or designing readable blind openings.

Commissioners largely supported the French doors and carved signage but expressed concern about the proposed blank center bay. The commission voted to approve the application in part (French doors, carved signage, and revised entrance ironwork) and to take no action on the request to remove the center base windows so the applicant could either study alternatives or keep the previously approved windows. The motion passed (8–0 on the approved elements).

Why it matters: the item affects how a designated building's multiple historic layers and later alterations are handled in restoration decisions; commissioners sought to preserve the visual rhythm of the base while allowing some program-driven changes.

What's next: applicants may work with staff to return with amendments for the base windows or maintain the prior approval that retains them.