The Beacon Hill Architectural Commissionapproved an application for an extensive renovation of the Boston Athenaeumsnorth faade and terrace on Thursday, April 16, at its monthly hearing, whichwas held virtually in the face of COVID-19.

Theapplicant, Matthew Bronski, a principal with the Waltham engineering firmSimpson Gumpertz & Heger, said the intended restoration would include apatchwork replacement of brownstone on the faade of 10 Beacon St. using a range of natural stone custom to thestone were replacing.

Theproposed terrace work would include the reconstruction of a leaning terraceretaining wall, as well as the replacement of a non-code-compliant bronzerailing that sits atop the basement stairwell at the staff entrance, Bronskisaid.

Its very exciting that youre going torestore the building to that level of quality, said Miguel Rosales, commissionchair.

Approval of this application came with theprovisos that staff approve a mock-up of the custom stone replacement, and thatthe size of the new railing match an existing one located in the back of thebuilding facing the historic Granary Burying Ground cemetery.

The commission also approved as proposedanother application for the Athenaeum to make small alterations to the front bronzedoors and interior leather doors.

Thisis part of a larger project to renovate the interior lobby and expand into 14Beacon St., said the applicant, Stewart Marshall, a senior associate withBoston-based Schwartz/Silver Architects.

The commission voted to deny withoutprejudice an application to install a small vent for a new boiler at the frontfaade of 16 Beacon St., which is home to the Boston Bar Association, andencouraged the applicant to explore other options instead.

Inanother matter, the commission approved an application for 35 Beacon St. forthe removal and replacement of six storm windows on the fourth floor of thefront faade, and to fabricate and install wood sills to replace deterioratingsills in kind, with the proviso that the applicant submit drawings to staffshowing the windows to scale.

The commission also approved an applicationfor 10 Charles River Square to replace five wood six-over-six windows in thefront faade in kind and additional aluminum-clad six-over-six windows in theback-alley facade, as well as to paint the front door red.

This came with provisos that the applicantuse true divided-light windows in the main facade; and that the shade of paintfor the door match the red color found on other existing doors at 7 and 15Charles River Square and be subject to staff approval for historic integrity.

In regard to an application for 52 BeaconSt. that was continued from Feb. 20, the commission approved the installationof a slanted, sliding glass access hatch at the roof-deck below the existingrailing to minimize its visibility from the Boston Common.

Thecommission approved an application for 73 Mt. Vernon St. to add a seasonalplanter, a stone garden bench, granite pavers and a pea-stone path at the frontyard, with minor provisos regarding the style of the bench and the installationof bronze recessed well lighting at that location.

Also, the commission approved an applicationfor the replacement of a roof-deck at 99 Pinckney St., with the proviso thattwo existing 2-foot bump-outs on either side of the deck be removed to make itflush. and that a fascia also be added along its perimeter.

Regardingan application for 104 Mount Vernon St. to rebuild a front brick wall andinstall a new handrail, as well as to recast the stone sills at the sidefaade, the commissions approval came with provisos that spindles for thehandrail be reduced in number to minimize penetrations of the historic granitesteps, and that the drawings of the handrail and side faade with modified granitecorner detailing be submitted to staff for approval.

The commission also approved an applicationto install a light fixture above the front door of 17A Branch St., with provisothat staff approve the style of the fixture with smaller dimensions to avoidencroaching into the sidewalk, and that the applicant submit drawings to scaleof it to staff.

On aviolation at 5 West Cedar St., the commission voted unanimously to ratifyunapproved no trespassing signage, which would eliminate public access toAcorn Street, with the provisos that brickwork be repaired, and that anothersign located beneath the signage in question be removed.

Inresponse to the commissions determination, Eve Waterfall, chair of the BeaconHill Civic Association board of directors, wrote: The Beacon Hill CivicAssociation empathizes with the residents of Acorn Street, and we havesuggested several ideas to limit intrusive tourist visits to Acorn Street, butunfortunately certain Acorn Street residents have chosen to post No Trespassingsigns instead, even though we believe the public has a long-standing right towalk along this street. Despite assurances that the No Trespassingsigns are intended for tourists and not local residents, we are worried thatthis step may lead to future closure of this street by gates or otherbarriers.

The Beacon Hill Civic Association is verydisappointed that the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission did not follow itsown regulatory guidelines and has improperly decided to allow the closure ofAcorn Street to the general public, an historic and iconic street onBeaconHill that has been open to the public for over 150 years,Waterfall added.

Thecommission also voted to ratify a violation for 54 Pinckney St. for unapprovedwork at the front faade, which included repairing cracks in a lintel, sillsand a step; replacing the doorbell and exterior lantern; and painting the frontdoor and trim to match existing.

In contrast, the commission voted to denythe ratification of a violation for 4 Pinckney St. regarding unapproved work atthe rear of the property and the installation of an unapproved granite slab andshoe scraper near the front door.

The commission also heard an advisoryreview for 2 Beaver Place, with proposed work including the addition of awindow in a currently bricked-up window area, along with the installation ofan access door on the side faade.

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Level of Quality: BHAC Approves Renovation of Athenaeums Faade and Terrace - Beacon Hill Times

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