The Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday approved a certificate of appropriateness for plans to convert the linked pair of buildings at 72-76 Greene Street, which were once known as the "King of Greene Street," to residential condominiums.

The approval, however, called for a modification of the plans by Red Brick Properties, which had acquired the buildings from Extell Development Corporation for about $23 million last year. Red Brick Properties is headed by David S. Slaven.

There will be eight full floor units and two duplex penthouse units with private outdoor space. There will be a central, keyed elevator that opens directly into each unit.

In addition, there will be two retail spaces on the ground floor.

The buildings are united by two projecting center bays with free-standing columns on fluted bases and the building has a portico at street-level and a pediment on the roof-line. The side bays have flat pilasters.

They were originally a warehouse for the Gardner Colby Company, a dry goods dealer, and were designed by Isaac F. Duckworth in 1872 in a very robust style influenced by the French Renaissance revival and Second Empire styles.

Mr. Colby endowed the college that is named after him in his hometown of Waterville, Maine.

The building is 10 bays wide and fire escapes were added because of city regulations.

The plans by Red Brick Properties had called for the elimination of the fire escapes, a two-story rooftop addition and the installation of balconies on the rear facades as well as new store-front infill.

The commission's approval modified those plans to permit only a one-story rooftop addition and no rear facade balconies.

The buildings are currently shrouded in construction netting.