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December 7, 2007
Can I enlarge windows on a landmarked Victorian?
Can you enlarge windows on the front of a Victorian home in Ditmas Park on a landmarked block?
We would keep them in the same style as the existing ones.
What about the side of the house?
Any guidance would be great!
Comments
Front windows: almost certainly not, unless you can provide evidence they were once larger (then yes).
Side windows not visible from a public way may possibly be changed.
Posted by: an architect in Brooklyn at December 7, 2007 11:44 AM
No.
Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 2:34 PM
in a word:
no
Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 2:38 PM
Maybe on the back if it is not visible from the sidewalk. on the sides and front never. Unless you can prove with an old photo or other evidence that the windows were larger originally and were later reduced in size.
Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 3:03 PM
Why not go straight to the horses mouth:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/working_with/perform_work.shtml
Posted by: Bob Marvin at December 7, 2007 3:30 PM
God, no.
Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 3:50 PM
I can't really tell from this photo... But are they replacement windows in there already? I'm looking mostly a the thrid floor. Find the original plans for your house, or an early photo (Ron Sweiger can help you with this). You may find that the house had different windows originally on the third floor. Also, looks like some of your original trim is gone...(is the house sided). I'm betting you want larger windows for more light, but re: the exterior, the windows would look bigger if you could replicate the original trim.
I'm not convinced your third floor windows are original. May have been a triplex originally, which would have meant much more light up there.
Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 4:11 PM
Probably not.
But, as 4:11 suggests, what's there may not be original. If the replacement windows were installed within the original frames (as is standard in the installation of aluminum windows), you would get larger windows (more glass area) by removing the non-historic windows and installing new windows. Depending on the condition of the frames beneath, you may only need new sash; more likely you will need new frame and sash.
Posted by: WBer at December 7, 2007 5:10 PM
Hahahahahahahahahah. What a question! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Posted by: guest at December 7, 2007 9:27 PM
I suspect the windows on the third floor have had some serious alterations. Is this house sided? I think it's likely there may have been a third window on the third floor. If you give me your address, I can root around for an early picture of the house.
Posted by: Erin Joslyn at December 8, 2007 12:14 PM
I would do it without any permit from anyone!
F..em. I do that all the time on landmarks.
Nobody cares, unless you really alter facade or building extensions or building extra floors.
Posted by: guest at December 8, 2007 11:53 PM
Does anyone have Ron Swieger's contact information? Thanks!
Posted by: guest at December 9, 2007 10:31 AM
I agree hahahahah what a question!!!!
Have you ever heard about
"don't ask don't tell policy"?
Posted by: guest at December 9, 2007 11:20 PM
Oh jeez, landmarks at its worst. If people aren't allowed to get creative and change something about those ugly old vinyl-sider houses which again, are NOT Victorian! Please stop calling them Victorian. They're not historically important in the slightest. Then why bother with them. The rooms are teeny and so are the windows. We looked at a house very much like this if not this house itself, and the bedrooms were like prison cells. I say bust out walls, open up entire floors, make the back of the house all glass. Even if you have to keep the teeny ugly windows in front.
Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 2:06 PM
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