The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is set to review a proposal for modifications to 130 West 131st Street, a three-story Renaissance Revival row house in Harlem, Manhattan. Originally built in 1887 by architects Cleverdon & Putzel, the property yields four units and is located in the Central Harlem-West 130-132nd Street Historic District. Proposed changes include the construction of a two-story rear enlargement with a greenhouse, as well as a roof deck with mechanical units and a stair bulkhead.
Photograph of rear of 130 West 131st Street, via LPC proposal
Plans include extending the cellar and basement into the rear yard, constructing a one-story greenhouse, and modifying an existing window opening on the second floor to accommodate a retractable awning. A new exterior stair will provide access to the rear yard, and a roof stair bulkhead will be added along with an accessible roof deck and mechanical units.
Rendering of proposed changes at 130 West 131st Street, via LPC proposal
If approved, the rear addition will feature red brick to match neighboring buildings, while new lintels and windows will maintain consistency with existing elements on the structure. The roof modifications, including mechanical equipment and a stair bulkhead, are designed to minimize visibility from public thoroughfares, with the proposal including several pictures suggesting that it would not be visible from many street-level angles.
Rendering of proposed changes at the rear of 130 West 131st Street, via LPC proposal
Transit nearby 130 West 131st Street includes the 125th and 135th Street subway stations, both of which are served by the 2 and 3 trains.
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Again with the rear of a brownstone while decorative parapets are being stripped and replaced with blank brick all over just up the street.
Does Harlem really have that many of those interwar buildings with decorative parapets?
“Just up the street” as in Upper Manhattan & Bronx.
This sounds like a jazz conversation.
Yes, Harlem has many brownstones.
Brownstones are not subject to Local Law 11, and they don’t even have parapets
Everything is ok except for the roof addition. It ruins the sight line.
The roof addition is set back from the front of the building. The only people who will probably see it will be in the upper floors across the street.
Apartment 1 goes from a 2-bedroom(shotgun style bedroom), with 1-1/2 bathroom to a 3-bedroom, 4-1/2 bathroom that could be split into two separate apartments as it has 2 entries and 2 kitchens. Apartment 2 goes from a studio to a 1-bedroom. Apartment 3 has minor improvements to layout, apartment 4 gets a second bathroom, and roof deck. Overall this change, while modest in size, appears to be a significant improvement to the existing building that could enable it to comfortably house more new yorkers.
Gentrification!
Entitlement!
Harlem and areas nearby have likely the last “brownstones” built in the city. Some are lighter color “graystones.”