A block association prevented the wrongful demolition of a brownstone shell on West 149th Street several years back and now the missing cornice of the newly restored building is finally being replaced. As shown by the top series of photos, one can see the progression from shell, to partial demolition and then finally a restored building at Number 547. When the demolition crew arrived back in 2010, there appeared to have been a mix up since the owner had an architect deem the building structurally sound but the DOB had it listed as dangerously unstable.
Folk from the block made phone calls for 24 hours straight and finally stopped the demolition but the top cornice was torn down. This building was fully restored by this time last year but the crown has been missing since. Now it appears that the new owner of this townhouse truly appreciates keeping the architectural integrity of the building since the cornice is evidently being replaced. In the past, cornices would be torn down from a building and never replaced so this is a refreshing change in the renewal of Harlem.
Great story and a victory for the block association, also it is a very good sign to see a cornice actually replaced. These three buildings add charm and architectural interest to the block.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful block. I just walked past here two weekends ago and was staring at the missing cornice. Glad to see it being replaced.
ReplyDeleteIf the City wouldn't make the permitting process so difficult and expensive to both tear down a rotten cornice and also to build a new one, then many more owners would do the work. Permits and drawings (not to mention the headaches from jumping through hoops) cost more than the actual construction.
ReplyDeleteCornices make such a difference. Without them, the building looks naked.
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