A proposal has been submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for a rear extension and rooftop addition at 106 West 81st Street, a three story, four-unit residential building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Proposed work includes a one-story vertical addition set back from the primary façade, creating a new fourth floor and roof terrace. The project team aims to maintain the building’s historic elements while converting it from a multi-family into a single-family residence. The property is located between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.
Rendering of 106 West 81st Street, via LPC proposal.
The proposed scope of work includes constructing the fourth-floor addition and a new occupiable roof terrace. The addition is designed to remain out of public view from the street. No changes are planned for the front façade aside from restoration and cleaning; existing brickwork will be preserved and cleaned using low-pressure water in accordance with LPC guidelines. Damaged areas will be repaired, and the front steps and railings will be repainted black. The rear elevation will be reconfigured with a new fenestration and extended vertically, with materials and design elements intended to blend with neighboring structures.
Rendering of 106 West 81st Street, via LPC proposal.
Rendering of 106 West 81st Street, via LPC proposal.
Renderings and diagrams throughout the submission illustrate that the proposed rooftop structure, which includes mechanical equipment, is designed to minimize visibility from public thoroughfares. A physical mock-up was constructed to evaluate the addition’s visibility, and street-level photographs confirm minimal visual impact from across West 81st Street.
Location of 106 West 81st Street, via LPC proposal.
The closest subways from 106 West 81st Street are the B and C trains at the 81st Street–Museum of Natural History station and the 1 train at the 79th Street station.
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LPC will be wringing their hands over this one while the public realm is being further degraded by parapet mutilations all over the place stripping classic pre-war buildings of their architectural character.
The tree is much healthier in the rendering than it is in the photograph. Good luck with that.
Looks like an improvement. Not sure why this unimpressive townhouse is landmarked.
I believe that it’s in the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District.
When I look out my window down on a few buildings between amsterdam and columbus, I can see.They’ve added on additions on the tops of buildings. They don’t seem to be bothering anything, especially when you consider the new high-rise going up on the corner of Avi 8th street. The fact that the church on 86th street may be demolished. It seems adding one little story
We’ll do no harm.
Too bad the paint cannot come off the bricks.