LPC Reviews Rooftop Addition Proposal on West 80th Street

• The Landmarks Preservation Commission will review a proposal for alterations and a rooftop addition at 144 West 80th Street on June 9.
• The project includes front and rear façade upgrades and a setback penthouse designed to remain largely hidden from street view.
• DTLS Architecture designed the proposal, which is located within the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District.

What the Proposed Changes Include for the Townhouse

A proposal before the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission would bring several updates to 144 West 80th Street, a four-story townhouse located between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Designed by DTLS Architecture, the project calls for modifications to both the front and rear façades, along with the construction of a new rooftop penthouse addition. Because the property sits within the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District, any exterior changes require LPC approval.

What the Rooftop Addition Looks Like

Plans show the proposed penthouse set back approximately 21 feet 6 inches from the primary street-facing façade. The design aims to preserve the building's historic character while introducing a modern rooftop level clad in black zinc-coated standing-seam metal. Project materials submitted to the commission include sight-line studies and pole-test photographs intended to demonstrate that the addition will not be visible from West 80th Street. According to the application, several neighboring rowhouses on the block have previously received similar rooftop additions.

What Changes Are Planned for the Building's Exterior

The front façade would undergo restoration work focused on preserving and enhancing existing ornamental details. Renderings show the historic appearance largely maintained, with the new penthouse remaining concealed from public view. At the rear of the building, the proposal calls for a more substantial redesign. The existing stucco façade would be replaced with a brick-clad exterior featuring larger window openings and an expanded penthouse level above. The updated rear elevation is intended to modernize the building while remaining consistent with the surrounding residential context.

What the Historic District Review Means

Because the property is located within a designated historic district, the LPC will evaluate whether the proposed changes are appropriate and compatible with the neighborhood's architectural character. The commission will review the proposal as a public meeting item on June 9. If approved, the project would add new residential space while preserving the townhouse's historic street presence, a balance that often plays a central role in historic district applications throughout Manhattan.