FRIENDS' Testimony:

The Upper East Side Historic District designation report recognizes J. Edwin R. Carpenter as “one of the most noted architects of the many apartment buildings erected in New York City during the 1920s,” noting his lasting influence on the architectural character of our district—particularly along Fifth and Park Avenues (p.1203). 2-6 East 66th Street stands as a prime example of Carpenter’s work: refined, meticulously crafted, and rich with understated elegance.

Unfortunately, the building’s visual integrity has been compromised over time. Its façades—both primary and secondary—now exhibit a disjointed mix of window styles, undermining the original architectural vision. When FRIENDS testified on a similar proposal for the 8th floor in 2021—which sought to alter window openings and add balconies—we stressed the urgent need for a window master plan to guide future alterations in a unified, historically appropriate manner. Four years later, that recommendation remains just as relevant.

While FRIENDS can support the proposed window expansion on the West-facing façade, which features a pair of 8-over-8 windows matching historic window details, our Preservation Committee has serious reservations about the proposed juliet balconies on the South-facing façade. Despite prior approvals in 2009 and 2021 on other floors, we believe the ornate and visually heavy design clashes with Carpenter’s more restrained, dignified aesthetic. Given its high visibility, this secondary façade deserves the same design sensitivity and review rigor as the primary elevation. We urge the applicant to work closely with the Commission to develop a design that better honors the architectural legacy of Carpenter’s work.

LPC Hearing: