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September 23, 2009
Front Door in Landmarked Area
I just bought a brownstone in newly-landmarked Prospect Heights. The building's front door is relatively new -- installed within the last 10 years. It's a good, solid, wood door but the light stain and shiny, brassy fixtures don't fit the look of this old home. The LPC report describes the door as "non-historic" -- and it looks it. I'd like to stain or paint the door a darker, subtler color and replace the fixtures with something that looks older. My question is: how do I do this now that the place is landmarked? I know it’s likely to be a hassle, but how much of one? Should I just forget it? If changing the color of the door is too difficult, can I at least change the fixtures or does that require approval too? If someone with experience can give me some advice, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!
Comments
Take a photograph of the door, along with a color sample of what you intend to repaint the door, and a written description (not much more than your paragraph above) to Landmarks. They'll assign you a case officer that will probably approve it right away if it's this minor, but the case officer's job will also be to tell you for what else they'd need to get their approval. It sounds like a staff level review that can generally be decided on the spot. You might also want to include photographs of neighboring doors with a similar color to what you're proposing, that helps.
Posted by: Smokychimp at September 23, 2009 2:34 PM
I'd be tempted to just do it & hope no one noticed.
Posted by: Arkady at September 23, 2009 5:51 PM
I would too, Arkady.
A good source for entry hardware...
www.houseofantiquehardware.com
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 24, 2009 9:17 AM
Honestly, if the LPC report doesn't note the color, and you are trying to make it more complimentary to the age of your house by repainting and replacing the shiny hardware, I'm not sure that I would worry about landmarks. You're not planning on replacing the door from what you've written, and not painting it pink, so I doubt any neighbors would be calling LPC on you... .
Then again, it would likely be relatively painless to get LPC approval for something like this, so it might not be worth the risk.
How's that for the most indecisive post ever... :)
Posted by: 1842 at September 24, 2009 10:04 AM
Thanks, folks -- very helpful advice. Sounds like this is totally do-able, whichever route I take. And I appreciate the hardware site, DIBS.
Posted by: chebubble at September 24, 2009 11:58 AM
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