FRIENDS' Testimony:

The majority of the alterations proposed by the applicant were found to be acceptable by the FRIENDS Preservation Committee, including: the removal of cementitious material at the first and second floors; enlarging and replacing storefront windows; the alterations to doors and windows at the ground level of the East 67th Street façade; the replacement of a non-original iron railing at the Madison Avenue façade; and new granite and limestone sills, lintels, and details. Replacing the lost cornice is especially appreciated, as it will enhance the historic character of this distinctive corner building on Madison Avenue, but the Committee questions what precedent was used for its design. Also, the color and texture of the metal and stone for the new Madison Avenue storefront are still unresolved.

In addition, instead of masking the many insensitive brick patches with a layer of paint, the brickwork on the East 67th Street façade should be restored to its original condition. The juxtaposition of exposed brick and brownstone on comparable buildings of this period is a characteristic and enriching feature of façades in all of the Upper East Side Historic Districts. It is especially noted on corner buildings like this one, and the one immediately across East 67th Street, where the secondary facade on the side street is brick in contrast to the stone of the Madison Avenue frontage. This historic treatment of contrasting materials should be maintained. FRIENDS urges the Commission to address these issues before approving this application.