Yet another home in one of New York City’s suburb-like neighborhoods is getting an expansion. Last Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved changes to the home at 240-02 42nd Avenue. That’s in the Douglaston Hill Historic District in Queens.
Existing conditions at 240-02 42nd Avenue
The Italianate style home with neo-Colonial style elements was originally built around 1850, but was moved to this site and altered by Samuel Linbloom in 1927.
The proposal was designed by architect Victor Dadras of Midtown-based Dadras Architects. An existing single-story addition and the existing front porch will be demolished and a new front porch and two-story addition will be constructed. The existing garage will remain.
The changes will allow the removal of a first floor bedroom, leading to a total of four bedrooms, plus a study and laundry room, on the second floor. The first floor would see an enlarged kitchen and relocated dining room. The space currently used as a dining room would become a foyer.
Commissioner Diana Chapin was very pleased with the effort to preserve the original structure, but was concerned with the height of the new addition.
Queens Community Board 11 endorsed the proposal, but asked for double windows on the addition. Commissioner John Gustafsson, however, did not feel that they were necessary.
Gustafsson did recommend shutters be put on the windows of the addition. Dadras said they had considered putting on shutters, but were trying to distinguish the addition from the original structure.
In the end, the proposal was approved, with the directive that the applicant work with LPC staff to add shutters to the addition.
You can view the full presentation slides here:
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I agree with this decision, put materials on and keep it in good condition.