Historic Zoning Commission

Market Square H-1: Level II

8-G-13-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Replacement/repair

Demolish existing façade and reconstruct. The proposed new façade will have tumbled or reclaimed brick, a recessed entry and transom windows at the first-floor level. The upper story will incorporate three segmental-arched openings to create open balcony. Brick soldiers to surround arches. Iron balcony railing set atop knee wall to create 42" high balustrade--if needed -with ironwork similar to that in the second-story windows of 28 Market Square.
PROPOSAL FOR 1ST-LEVEL -- REVISED FROM JULY 2013 SUBMITTAL:
Operable, side-hinged storefront windows on each side of the central entry door forward to be in the same plane as the facade over added 18-inch-high fiber cement board bulkheads. Pair of glass 6' x 9' central entry doors with wood frames to be recessed. Install 6 butt-joint transom windows encased in frame and headed by cornice.

Site Info

McNulty Building. Two-stoy brick building with double hung windows. Corbelled cornice with limestone band and section of brick arches and front parapet. Stone stingcourse and sillw with brick dentil molding. Altered storefront.

STAFF FINDINGS (#4 added and #9 revised since July 2013 staff report)
1) The façade was heavily altered in 2003 with the elimination of the original three segmentally arched window openings and the introduction of four flat-topped windows. The photos included submitted in 2005, submitted with this application show the remnants of the original three segmental-arched windows.

2) The remaining original brick was incorrectly mortared and gaps were patched with inappropriately-sized later brick. Therefore, the upper-level façade has been found to be structurally deficient.

3) The proposed three segmental arched openings in the upper story allude to the three original window openings; however, the openings are somewhat longer (the sill begins at a lower level) than do the original openings as indicated by the 2005 photograph included in this report.

4) The Secretary of Interior Standard #6 convey that if a distinctive feature is missing, has been destroyed, or is severely deteriorated, then the replacement feature shall match the old in design and other visual qualities. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence. A photograph exists which documents the size and shape of the original window openings. (This finding has been added since the July 2013 staff report).

5) Openings creating balconies, or loggias, exist on the 2nd level of 17, 19 Mkt Square. The building façade was entirely rebuilt in the mid-20th c and then again in 2003 with square openings on the 2nd level. No original material of the façade remained. At 5 Market Square, the loggia is original.

6) The proposed recessed façade on the 2nd level of 32 Market Square is considered to be exterior given that the three arched openings do not create enclosed space. The doors in the recessed (by 15 feet) façade will be visible from across Market Square.

7) The proposed fiber cement cornice with panels between support the brackets alludes to the now missing original wood cornice. The brick at the top of the building was inappropriately mortared when the cornice was removed and indicates the existence and size of the original cornice and brackets.

8) The poorly installed 1st-level storefront has a dark bronze storefront system and EIFS side pilasters, which are proposed to replaced with brick.

9) Traditional storefronts on Market Square are tripartite in configuration with recessed central entry doors with storefront windows to each side that are in the same plane as the front façade. Thie tripartite arrangement lends prominence to the building entry. The proposed storefront configuration is similar to current wood storefronts in Market Square.

10) The guidelines state that bulkheads shall be located in the lower portion of the storefront and should be 18"-30" tall. The proposed storefront design incorporates an 18"- high bulkhead.

11) A band of smaller windows proposed above the first-level storefront allude to the transoms in historic storefronts on Market Square.

12) New brick will have a very different appearance from the original brick on the building and other historic brick on the Square. If the request for a tumbled brick replacement is approved, a mock-up of the new brick should be required for HZC approval before installation. If the new brick is painted to look more like early renditions, it will reduce the new appearance of the replacement brick. (Historic brick that has never been painted should not be painted)

MARKET SQUARE DESIGN GUIDELINES (to be entered in their entirety for the record)
II. Existing Buildings

A. Storefront Design:
1. Contain the storefront to the height and width of the original opening designed for it.
2. Make the storefront as transparent as possible by using large glass areas and transoms.
3. The color and texture of storefront materials shall be simple and unobtrusive, whether they are wood, cast iron or anodized aluminum.
4. Display windows shall be clear glass.
5. Display windows shall be recessed into the storefront framing.
6. Transom windows can be clear, tinted or stained glass.
7. The entrance door shall have a full-view glass panel. The door shall not be decorated with moldings, cross bucks, window grills or other features that are not in keeping with the era of development.
8. Entry doors can be recessed behind the front plane of the storefront.
9. Bulkheads can be wood panels, polished stone, glass, tile or aluminum-clad panels. Bulkheads shall be located in the lower portion of the storefront and should be 18"-30" tall.
10. A storefront cornice shall be wood, cast iron, or sheet metal.
11. Side piers should be the same material as the upper facade, or painted or surfaced to look the same.
12. Inappropriate historical themes shall be avoided.

B. Upper-Story Design
1. If they are historic, second-story windows should be retained . . .
2. If upper-story windows have deteriorated and must be replaced, or have been removed in past
remodeling, replacement windows shall match the size and shape of the original window openings,
and shall be wood.
5. If cornices are missing, they may be replaced with appropriately scaled, newly constructed cornices.
Consult historical photographs and style books to determine an appropriate design for replacement
cornices. Replacement cornices may be made of wood, sheet metal, or other materials that duplicate
the appearance of the original.

C. Masonry
1. Sandblasting or water blasting that erodes the surface of the masonry shall not be allowed.
2. Repointing shall be done using mortar and pointing techniques that are consistent with Preservation
Brief No. 2 published by the U. S. Department of the Interior, and available at the MPC offices.

SECRETARY OF INTERIORS STANDARDS (to be entered in their entirety for the record)

Standard #6
Repair/Replacement of Deteriorated or Missing Architectural Features...
Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities, and where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.

9. Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when
such alterations and additions do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural materials,
and such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, materials, and character of the property,
neighborhood or environment.