For most people, owning a building that has historical significance is a point of pride. You’re helping preserve our cultural heritage as well as the architectural diversity of our cities. But there’s extra responsibility that comes with historical designation, and if your building is an official NYC landmark, any awning designs you consider will have to meet strict regulations.
Here in New York City, even if your specific building isn’t considered a landmark, you’ll have to meet those special criteria for awning designs if your building is located in a neighborhood the Landmarks Preservation Commission has formally labeled a Historic District.
Awning designs have to be approved by the Commission first.
To actually install a new or re-covered awning, you’ll need a permit from your borough’s Building Department. But first, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has to approve your plans. In many instances, the Commission staff can do that, but it’s also possible you’ll have to go before the entire Commission to get your “certificate of appropriateness.”
You don’t need a permit to conduct routine maintenance or make very minor repairs. But if you plan to re-cover your awning, or you need to make more substantial repairs, you have to get a permit, just as you do for new awning designs.
Awning designs are supposed to accurately reflect the past.
You have less latitude in creating awning designs for landmark buildings. For instance, these days you often see awnings that extend across the entire façade of a building, covering doorways, windows and whatever wall space exists in between them. This is not allowed with landmark buildings, because in the past awning designs only covered individual doors or windows.
Today, you see awning designs in a wide range of shapes. And you see some designs manufactured entirely of metal, or even very contemporary-looking clear panels. But landmark awning designs have to have the traditional sloping shape, be covered in fabric and be open on the ends. In some instances they must be retractable.
Retractable or fixed, landmark awning designs may have a valance, or “skirt,” at the bottom. This is the only place you’re allowed to imprint your name, address or other graphics.
Whereas you can choose from a tremendous array of fabrics in creating awning designs for non-historic buildings, your landmark awning will have to be covered in solid color or striped matte-finish fabric – the way it would have looked long ago.
Fortunately, you don’t actually have to use cotton canvas – the truly historic fabric – but can choose a newer look-alike material with far greater durability and resistance to fading, mildew, stains, rotting and tears.
Design criteria affect structural design as well as aesthetics.
Landmark buildings frequently incorporate historically important or visually beautiful architectural elements, which the Landmarks Preservation Commission calls “significant features.” Your awning designs and installation cannot damage these features, nor can you remove them. The regulations are very specific about allowable height and other physical details.
Why guess what’s right? Get professional advice.
Because the rules that govern awning designs for landmark certification are very detailed – and you have to get every detail right — your best plan is to work with a professional awning company that’s well-established here in NYC. It’s their job to know the regulations inside and out, because they work with them every day. They also know the officials behind the rules and how the process works.
Working through an experienced professional means your awning designs will be developed properly right from the start, so your plans can be approved quickly and smoothly. You’ll get design that not only conforms to the letter of the law but beautifully enhances your historic building.
Photo Credit: @Upupa4me via Flickr