More Oversight for New Windows on Landmarks?
The Brooklyn Paper has a story about how the city is looking to beef up restrictions on homeowners who want to put in new windows on the sides of buildings in historic districts, a move that comes after the stir caused by Norah Jones putting in windows on the side of her Cobble Hill house…
The Brooklyn Paper has a story about how the city is looking to beef up restrictions on homeowners who want to put in new windows on the sides of buildings in historic districts, a move that comes after the stir caused by Norah Jones putting in windows on the side of her Cobble Hill house and, perhaps, the controversy over 227 Clinton’s owner wanting to do the same. According to the article, the current law governing such alterations is “ambiguous,” and an LPC spokeswoman says there’s “a need for the Commission to set a limit on the number, size, pattern and placement of visible window openings on secondary facades.” Meanwhile, Roy Sloane, the president of the Cobble Hill Association, had this to say about the matter: “How can we preserve our landmarks when windows can be put in places where windows were never intended to go?”
City to Close ‘Norah’ Loophole [BK Paper]
Photo from Lost City.
Add me to the list of people who believes landmarks is off it’s rocker, and is now fetishizing rather than preserving historic homes.
This just in…
Norah Jones is considering shutters.
Details to follow.
OK, when we start talking about passiv haus is when I wish everyone a very happy weekend!
Cherry blossoms are almost there at the BBG!
CMU – the Passiv Haus reno is not your typical house reno. They are definately not the standard. I think their choice to have custom German window had more to do with creating the passive house than meeting LPC standards.
CMU – I do not know if they allow fiberglass frame but, you can call and ask. I have a friend who replaced his window. I do not know the material of the new windows but, I know its not wood. Anyway, his neighbors ratted him out. The replacement window are pane and the original were 12 pane divided light. He added muntins (which did not cost him a lot of money) to the replacement window which mimiced the orginals. He is happy, LPC is happy, the neighbors are happy.
bedstymav; I may be wrong but they do not allow fiberglas frames, which look fine and are more energy-efficient. Many super-efficient windows do not totally conform to the historic look and are not allowed for that reason. I do know that one Passiv Haus reno (ultra efficient) had super-expensive German windows because they had to use casements which mimicked double hungs (PH is all about air leakage control, and double-hungs don’t cut it)
Stargazer – I am guessing the house was painted gray before the district was landmarked. Any existing alterations are grandfathered. As such Norah can continue to paint her house the same color gray.
I agree with CMU also.
also just for kicks, I don’t really like the color of Nora’s house anyway, what’s with the painted look gray….It couldn’t have been original like that? could it?
CMU – LPC allows for the replacement of old energy in-efficient features with modern fixtures that replicate the look of the the existing roof, window, etc.
Take some time and read the guidline, speak with a home owners who has been through the process. Do not assume.