Quote:
Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC
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Denied due to the following.....
"DISCUSSION:
The Committee questioned why the applicant is not reusing the salvaged cast iron façade. The Committee said that great lengths had been taken to salvage the material and the application includes no information that demonstrates that the salvaged historic fabric is unusable.
o The applicant responded that it was determined to be too expensive to reuse. The Committee opined that the façade should be reconstructed as it is a piece of a
larger structure and complete documentation exists to aid in reconstruction. In addition it was noted that the similarity in the placement of fenestration shows that the applicant’s program is compatible with reconstruction.
o The applicant responded that the original architect Stephen Button had created a simple vertical façade and they were continuing in his tradition.
The Committee asked about materials.
o The applicant responded that they are proposing steel and glass.
The Committee responded that those materials would not be appropriate in this situation. The façade could be constructed in cast stone.
The Committee questioned whether the overlays along Independence National Historic Park allow for this height.
o The applicants responded that they will have to seek a height variance in any case. Mr. Murray pointed out that the long-demolished Jayne Building that once existed across the street had been quite tall.
The Committee recommended that, if the front façade was reconstructed, some additional floors might be acceptable, as long as they were designed with more sensitivity to minimize visibility. The Committee had concerns with the penthouses for the elevator, two stairhouses, and the front deck and its railings. The Committee opined that the front deck should be removed entirely.
o The applicant responded that they could potentially combine the stairhouses into one mass.
ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE, 24 SEPTEMBER 2019 9 PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION
PHILADELPHIA’S PRINCIPAL PUBLIC STEWARD OF HISTORIC RESOURCES
o The Committee responded that they do not wish to see the width of the penthouse expanded.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Patrick Grossi opposed the project and spoke in favor of the reconstruction of the historic façade and the construction of some additional floors if they were designed to be more inconspicuous.
ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE FINDINGS & CONCLUSIONS:
The Architectural Committee found that:
The structure at 239-241 Chestnut Street was constructed and designated as a
single structure.
The streetscape is highly intact.
The structure that was lost was highly significant because its architect Stephen
Button developed a version of the Italianate style with vertical piers which may well
have influenced the development of skyscraper design.
The salvaged ironwork is by Stephen Badger, who was also important in the
development of cast iron architecture for which Old City is famous.
The Department of Licenses & Inspections salvaged the cast-iron façade and made
a laser scan of the façade to allow for its reconstruction after the fire.
The façade should be reconstructed with the ironwork.
The proposed additional two floors and penthouses would be too conspicuous and
take the building too far from its original intent. They can be designed with greater sensitivity to minimize their conspicuousness.
The Architectural Committee concluded that:
The proposed project does not meet Standard 6 because it does not reuse the
existing preserved historic cast-iron fabric and does not match the historic façade
known from photographs and the laser scan.
The proposed project does not meet Standard 9 because the additional floors and
penthouses will be highly conspicuous from the south and west.
ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Architectural Committee voted to recommend denial, pursuant to Standards 6 and 9."
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But does anyone know the status of 239 Chestnut? There was a replacement proposal before Covid.
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