A proposal has been submitted to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for a rear yard addition to 167 West 85th Street, a Romanesque Revival-style row house on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Grasso-Menziuso Architects, an AIA-certified firm based in Manhattan, has prepared the application, which is set to be reviewed on January 14.
Photograph of rear of 167 West 85th Street, via LPC proposal
The requested additions to the property, which was originally constructed in 1889-90, span three stories and its basement, and include the creation of a new balcony, bifold glass doors, and a metal open-riser staircase. In addition, plans incorporate the excavation of the existing basement slab to increase ceiling heights.
Rendering of proposed changes for 167 West 85th Street, via LPC proposal
The proposal also outlines steps taken to maintain the visual continuity of the neighborhood’s interior conditions for other row houses, including an example of a similar approved rear addition at 154 West 73rd Street.
Rendering of previously approved changes at 154 West 73rd Street, via LPC proposal
Transit nearby 167 West 85th Street includes subway stations with service for the 1, B, and C trains.
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Again with the back of a townhouse no one will see…
Love the front steps of this row house! and the proposed rear addition is OK, I guess..
Yeah, that’s a great stoop.
While this project will cause a net decrease in housing units with the loss of studio and 1-bedroom apartments, this loss is offset by the increase in family sized units and the overall increase in bedrooms in this building which will double. With the proposed changes this building can comfortably house 50% more people, and the a maximum occupancy of all the units increases from 14 to 24 residents before apartments would be considered overcrowded so this appears to be a net-positive project for the community.
Based upon the plans:
The basement is being converted from a Studio and a 1-Bedroom, to a 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom duplex unit with a lower level rec room and bathroom in the expanded cellar.
The first floor is being enlarged from being a modest 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, to a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, with larger bedrooms, walk-in closets, and a family size kitchen.
The second floor is being enlarged from a studio apartment and a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment to a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment.
The third floor is being enlarged from a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment to a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment with a floor plan identical to the second floor.
The fourth floor is going from a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom to a 2-bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with an outdoor terrace.
The curved front steps are everything!