The Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing today on a proposal to erect a through-block, 8-story, residential condominium building between 91 Chambers Street and 77 Reade Street that would replace a vacant lot on Reade Street and the one-story Ralph's Discount City building erected in 1954 and designed by Sidney Daub on Chambers Street in TriBeCa and incorporate the restoration of an adjoining, through-block building at 95 Chambers Street that dates to about 1852 and was altered on the Chambers Street facade in 1924 by William F. Helstreet.

The proposed project would add two levels to the 6-story existing building and carve out side-yards in the middle of the lot. The plan of the building would then resemble a dumb-bell and the narrow connection providing a core that lets residents out on alternate floors for the Chambers and Reade Street wings. The building would have an entrance as well as a 6-car garage on Reade Street.

Harry Kendall of BKSK Architects, shown at the right in front of renderings of the Reade and Chambers Street elevations, made a presentation to the commission for the project that would create 31 apartments and two commercial condominiums.

BKSK's other projects downtown have included 116 Hudson Street, the Hubert, Fisher Mills Condominiums, the Duane Park Building and 138 Reade Street.

Mr. Kendall told the commission that the project "is leaving 2 F.A.R. on the table," meaning that the proposed building would have a floor-to-area-ratio of developed space of 5.5 as opposed to the 7.5 F.A.R. permitted on the site.

Vice chairman Pablo E. Vengoeoochea praised the plans as "well-thought out," but argued that a two-story rooftop addition was one level too many and suggested that the project's two distinctly different facade treatments - one for the new building and another for the restored building - should be reflected in the proposed rooftop addition that as now planned would not be differentiated. He subsequently asked whether the rooftop addition could be lowered by enlarging its first level.

Commissioner Joan Gerner said that the proposal was "great," but expressed concern that a proposed stainless spandrel above a storefront was a bit jarring and perhaps should be painted gray.

Commissioner Roberta Brandes Gratz described the proposal as "wonderful" with "details we don't often see," but objected to the second added rooftop level. She said she didn't object to the stainless steel spandrel declaring that some buildings "need a modern touch to remind us" they've been renovated.

The Rev. Thomas F. Pike, another commissioner, stated that he liked the project and "had no problem with its height."

Mr. Kendall, whose partner is Stephen Byrns, a member of the commission who excused himself from the meeting, said that the project would fill in the "missing teeth" on Chambers Street and reflect the renaissance of TriBeCa.

Chairman Robert Tierney said that the consensus appeared to be that the project should lower its rooftop addition and reexamine the stainless steel spandrel and he closed the hearing without a vote. Mr. Kendall said "we'll sharpen our pencils."