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COA # 2013-COA-158

(ONS)

INDIANAPOLIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT

Hearing Date JUNE 5, 2013

NEW CASE

1249 N ALABAMA ST OLD NORTHSIDE

Applicant mailing address:

DAVE GIBSON, A3 DESIGN 5150 N. Delaware Street Indianapolis, IN 46205

Owner: Englewood Lofts LP/ Hoosier Housing Partners-Lofts, LLC Center Township

Council District: 9 Joseph Simpson CASE

2013-COA-158 (ONS) Replace wood windows on entire north and west façades (excluding stained glass windows), south façade of original portion of church and west facing façade at south side of building.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval of a Certificate of Authorization

STAFF COMMENTS Background of the Property The church was constructed c. 1895 as the second location of the former Friends Church. It contains fine Romanesque Revival detailing, including terra cotta insets, wheel windows, round arch and jack arch lintels. The Friends sold the church in 1955 and since then there have been several owners. The property is zoned D-8. The building is sited at the corner of Alabama and 13th Street with its main entrance and primary elevation fronting Alabama. The original roof plan consisted of a cross gable plan. Sometime between 1915 and 1927 another gable roof addition, the subject of this application, was built at the northeast corner of 13th Street and Ogden St (alley). The current owner has been undergoing a massive restoration of the building in order to convert the structure into affordable housing. Due to the deterioration and non-original nature of most of the existing windows and the maintenance that would be required of the wood windows once converted to an apartment building, the applicant is requesting to replace the existing wood windows as described with aluminum clad replacement windows. The stained glass windows that remain will not be replaced (4 arched and one double-hung window left). It should be noted that staff believes that the original windows on the sanctuary were almost all stained glass from what can be determined via historic photos. However, it is unclear when these windows were removed and staff does not expect the applicant to re-install stained glass at this time since it is not conducive to reusing the building as apartments, and it is doubtful that stained glass would be financially feasible. It should be noted so that in the future, if someone does decide to reinstall the stained glass, the photograph and other documentation should be carefully examined. Existing Windows The original windows in the sanctuary section of the building do not exist in almost all of the openings and have been replaced with plywood double-hung windows with red plexiglass. The windows on the rear addition are either missing or deteriorated. The windows on the east elevation, a portion of the south elevation and the approved dormers were approved to be replaced with the Weather Shield Aluminum Clad wood window by the IHPC Hearing Officer since those windows did not have a significant impact on the building. The repair of the stained glass windows is not included in this application. The basement windows are all awning-style wood windows, but all are either missing and boarded over, without glass or extremely deteriorated. The original stained glass windows are also deteriorated, but replacement of those windows is not part of this application.

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New Windows The applicant is proposing to install new aluminum clad windows (no muntins) in all window openings on the north and south elevations as well as the south side of the original portion of the church building and the west elevation around the south entrance. All windows will be sized to fit the original openings. The proposed window is a Weather Shield Signature Series Window. The Weather Shield Signature Series window comes in several colors, and a color has not been selected yet. A combination of double-hung and casement windows will be included. Reasons for Approval 1. The window openings will not be altered 2. The proposed window is the same in size and the design is

consistent with the originals (except for the glass). 3. The overall character of the building will not be significantly

altered once the windows are installed since most of the original windows do not exist.

4. The building is a masonry structure and is more compatible with metal windows then a frame structure.

5. The IHPC Hearing Officer has approved the same window for use on the east elevation and a portion of the south elevation as well as the approved dormers.

The applicant is scheduled to have a sample of the window installed in the building prior to the IHPC hearing and photo documentation of this installation will be presented. The applicant is also planning to supply photographs of the exterior of the window and possibly bring a sample of the unit into the hearing for the Commission to review. The photo above shows the Weather Shield window, but will not have the grilles as seen here.

Old Northside Preservation Plan The Preservation Plan states the following: “Consider: Respecting the stylistic period or periods a building represents. If replacement of window sash or doors is necessary, the replacement should duplicate the material, design, and the hardware of the original window sash or door”. We know that these windows do not match the material. Therefore, staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Authorization for insubstantial effect since the windows are not the same material but will closely replicate the original size and configuration and general design.

STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION

2013-COA-158 (ONS): To approve a Certificate of Authorization to replace all wood windows (except any stained glass windows) on the entire north and west façades, south façade of original portion of the sanctuary and west facing façade at south side of building with new Weather Shield Aluminum Clad wood windows to match the originals in general design and dimensions as per submitted documentation and subject to the following stipulations: 1. Final drawings showing the location of all windows to be replaced and a quote from the window

manufacturer showing the dimensions of the windows to be replaced shall be submitted to IHPC staff for final approval prior to commencement of work. Approved_______Date_________

2. Final window color shall be approved by IHPC staff. Approved: __________ Date: __________

Staff Reviewer: Meg Purnsley

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Historic Photo of the building c. 1895. It appears that all of the windows were stained glass when

originally built.

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Above: View of structure before renovation began

Aerial view – looking north

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Aerial view – looking south

Aerial view – looking east Aerial view – looking west

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Above: View of north elevation

Below: View of east end of north elevation upclose.

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Above: View of remaining stained glass arched windows on north elevation

Below: View of north elevation upclose.

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Above and below: View of west (Alabama Street) elevation. Rosette stained glass is no longer existing.

Below: View of south side of building as seen from Alabama Street.

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The Old Northside Land Use Committee 1412 N. Central Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46202-2618

29 May 2013

VIA FACSIMILE 327-4407 Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission Mr. William Browne, Jr., President 200 East Washington Street, Suite 1801 Indianapolis, IN 46204 RE: 2013-COA-158 (ONS) 1249 N. Alabama David Gibson Dear Mr. Browne: A sample of the proposed window was examined and found to be of sufficient quality and style to fit appropriately into the restoration/reuse of the former Friends Church. The LUC feels that these aluminum clad windows, under the circumstances, are the most viable, attractive, and functional to be used as replacement.

The developer has been through many unforeseeable challenges in addition to the expected ones in such a valued saving of this historic structure. These windows will add to the quality and beauty of the completed project. The LUC supports the use of these windows as proposed in the Application and asks that this Commission approve such use. Thank you for your consideration. Very truly yours, Paul A. De Prez, Chairman CC: LUC ONS Board David Gibson