long-island-college-hospital-balconies-rejected

The Landmarks Preservation Commission Tuesday approved Fortis Property Group’s exterior design for the historic Polhemus Memorial Clinic at 350 Henry Street in Cobble Hill, part of its recent acquisition of the former Long Island College Hospital development site. However, Landmarks did request one change: No new balconies, the Brooklyn Eagle reported.

Residents and LPC commissioners alike were vehement about the need to remove proposed balconies from the plan. They did not mince words, calling them “inappropriate,” “eyesores,” and “ugly, cheap appendages,” according to the Eagle.

long-island-college-hospital-balconies-rejected

The proposed balconies, above

Built from 1896 to 1897 and designed by designed by Marshall Emery, the 43,187 square-foot Polhemus Memorial Clinic originally served as a public clinic. Fortis plans to create 17 condos in the building.

Although the balconies were nixed, Fortis plans other changes to the French Renaissance Revival style structure. A pedestrian bridge connecting the building to another former LICH structure is slated to be removed, and some windows are set to be enlarged.

As well, skylights will be removed from the roof, giving future condo owners more outdoor space. The request was to “modify masonry openings, alter a ramp, remove and construct rooftop bulkheads, remove a sidewalk bridge and skylights, replace brickwork; and install planters, railings, balconies, louvers, and an awning,” according to the LPC calendar.

Condos have been in the works here for years. Even before SUNY put LICH on the market, it tried to sell Polhemus Memorial Clinic separately as a condo development in 2008.

LPC Approves Condo Plan for LICH Jewel Polhemus Memorial Clinic [Eagle]
LICH Coverage [Brownstoner]
Renderings by BKSK Architects via the Landmarks Preservation Commission; photos via the Cobble Hill Historic District Designation Report

long-island-college-hospital-balconies-rejected

long-island-college-hospital-balconies-rejected


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