The Upper West Side's community board was appalled by the conversion plans for the landmarked First Church of Christ, Scientist on Central Park West at 96th Street, and the architects have made some changes to assuage their concerns. Most notably, reducing the number of windows that made the building look like it was "shot up by a machine gun."
The new design, eyed by West Side Rag and unveiled in a letter (PDF!) from architect Gerner Kroenick + Valcarel to the community board, focuses on retaining the building's historic facade. This deference, which echoes the community board's sentiments about respectful adaptive reuse projects, could only stretch so far: the architect's design still does not save the church's famous stained glass, believed to be designed by artist John La Farge. The changes will be discussed at the next community board meeting on December 9.
· Controversial Church-to-Condo Project Gets Tweaker Ahead of Meeting [WSR]
· Upper West Side Residents Slam Latest Church Conversion [Curbed]
· All 1 West 96th Street coverage [Curbed]
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