Building Name
128 East 73rd Street (aka 128-130 East 73rd Street)
Year(s) Built
1879-80 and altered in 1928
Architect
A. Wallace McCrea (1928 alteration)
Designation
Upper East Side Historic District
Project Information:
Two rowhouses built in 1879-80 and subsequently combined and altered in a neo-Georgian style, designed by A. Wallace McCrea and built in 1928. Application is to legalize cladding the rear façade and constructing a raised roof and parapet without Landmarks Preservation Commission permit(s).
CB8 Hearing: 05/19/25 (Disapproved)
LPC Hearing: 06/17/25 (Approved)
FRIENDS' Testimony:
FRIENDS has serious concerns about illegal alterations and does not condone any unpermitted work. While we can approve certain project aspects, such as the raised parapet wall and the fire-code-required railing, the Committee finds the proposed stucco surface inappropriate. It appears overly flat and plain, creating a stark contrast with the building's refined neo-Georgian front façade. It also fails to match the rear façades of neighboring row houses at 132, 134, and 136 East 73rd Street. We recognize the challenges resulting from the removal of the chimney and the exposure of internal-grade brick; however, the proposed stucco lacks the character expected in this historic context. Therefore, we strongly request that the applicant restore the brick façade and reinstate the lintels, in keeping with the LPC-approved 2022 application. Should full brick restoration prove infeasible, we urge the incorporation of texture or detailing to provide visual interest and better alignment with the architectural character of the row.
LPC Hearing: June 17, 2025