LPC sends Morris Adjmi’s ‘contextual’ Soho building back to the drawing board

UPDATE 10/24/17: The Landmark Preservation Commission’s first look at Morris Adjmi’s latest project was not all that encouraging. The architect’s proposed commercial project at 419-421, and 423 Broadway came up before the Commission on Tuesday, and after some debate, it was sent back to the drawing board.

Among the concerns raised by the Commissioners and public speakers was the size of the building (too out of scale at the corner of Broadway and Canal), the proposed loggias atop the structure (didn’t fit in with Soho’s architecture), and that the design was a bit too repetitive (like the building could continue on for several more floors).

In the end, the Commission decided not to take any action, and asked Adjmi to present revised plans.

“This is the Soho version of an uptown supertall tower,” is how Commissioner Michael Devonshire summed it up. “This needs to come down at least two stories.”

Changes are afoot at the corner of Broadway and Canal Street: This week, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will review Morris Adjmi Architects’ plans for a commercial building slated to replace a trio of green-awning souvenir stalls at 419 Broadway, reports YIMBY.

The proposed design is slick, but relatively contextual, with cast zinc panels accented by aluminum window frames. A row of vaguely Grecian columns along the edge of the eighth floor will also be cast in zinc—a “twist,” YIMBY notes, on the cast-iron architecture that dominates slightly to the north. (The site is on the southernmost edge of the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District.)

The LPC application also covers the existing three-story red brick building at 423 Broadway, though unlike its neighbor, 423 will be an exterior renovation. The structure will be retained and refurbished, while the retail frontage will get a makeover to match the zinc-y new digs next door.

While the zoning envelope allows for the building to reach 141 feet, the proposed project will actually top out at 136 feet, “rising eight floors instead of a possible nine.” Designed for commercial use with retail on the first floor—and, perhaps, some kind of small “community facility component” somewhere—the plans allow for a total of roughly 40,000 square feet.

Morris Adjmi Architects via the LPC

via LPC

• First Look At Morris Adjmi-Designed 419 Broadway, SoHo [YIMBY]
• Landmarks Preservation Commission Presentation [NYC.gov]