The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is now reviewing proposals for façade alterations at 21 East 63rd Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The alterations pertain only to the building’s entryway, but given the property’s location within a historic district, the LPC must grant the proposals a Certificate of Appropriateness before construction can begin.
The five-story home is located between Madison and Fifth Avenues and was originally constructed around 1884 as a brownstone for Jacob Ferry, an influential socialite and businessman. Following several changes of ownership and minimal alterations, the property was deemed out of style by the 1900s and completely transformed by architects Buchman & Fox.
Today, the building features a Beaux Arts design with a carved limestone façade, black metal balustrades, and a discreet metal canopy.
Existing ground floor elevations at 21 East 63rd Street
![[From left to right] Existing and proposed front elevations at 21 East 63rd Street](https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/From-left-to-right-Existing-and-proposed-front-elevations-at-21-East-63rd-Street.jpg)
[From left to right] Existing and proposed front elevations at 21 East 63rd Street
Renderings from Design Republic, the architects leading the renovation, reveal elegant upgrades to the existing ground floor. This includes replacement of the metal balustrades, railings, double doors, and granite stairs. In lieu of stairs, the base of the door will be lowered to meet the curb. A pair of window openings on either side of the entrance will also be lowered and enlarged, flush with the height of the curb. Above the new door and each window, the plans call for rectangular clerestory windows with ornate metal details.
The existing frieze, limestone molding, and canopy will remain. The canopy, however, will receive new pin-mounted signage. Proposed awnings above each window will also have signage with the building’s address.
![[From left to right] Existing and proposed ground floor elevations at 21 East 63rd Street](https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/From-left-to-right-Existing-and-proposed-ground-floor-elevations-at-21-East-63rd-Street.jpg)
[From left to right] Existing and proposed ground floor elevations at 21 East 63rd Street
In 2002, Switzerland-based jeweler Chopard purchased the property for $9.25 million and listed the address as its American headquarters. In 2019, the property returned to the market for a whopping $40 million. It is unclear who is the current owner.
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So it will be a retail space with a level entrance? The off-center door is a mistake. Center it with narrow sidelights.
The asymmetrical doors are really annoying. It doesn’t look elegant at all.
The door plates in the rendering display “Lalique” as the building owner/tenant.
It’s no longer owned by Chopard, it was sold to a private owner for $40M, so I doubt the first floor would be retail. However, the door not being centered is a mistake. Surely a larger, one door solution can be found.
Agree. They have turned an historic “robber baron” era house into a storefront.
Because the doors are now stretch of losses a pleasing proportion. I feel like I’m in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and the walls are stretching
Why would they want a front door flush with the street and a single entrance door unless they were turning it into commercial space. Shame.
Better leave the steps. The river is rising
I can’t see any valid reason for that asymmetrical door design, besides they need a handicap accessible entrance for a retail/ commercial space.