Community Planning and Development Denver Landmark Preservation 20 West Colfax, Dept. 205 p: (720)-865-2709 f: (720)-865-3050 www.denvergov.org/preservation STAFF BRIEF E-Mail: landmark@denvergov.org This document is the staff s comparison of the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation, Design Guidelines for Landmark Structures and Districts, the Landmark Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 30, Revised Municipal Code) and other applicable adopted area guidelines as applied to the proposed application. It is intended to provide guidance during the commission s deliberation of the proposed application. Guidelines are available at www.denvergov.org/preservation Project: 206-COA-356 Meeting: September 8, 206 Addresses: 600 7 th Street Staff: Jennifer Cappeto Historic District: Lower Downtown Historic District Zoning: D-LD UO- Applicant: Alan Colussy Architecture Application: Alterations to corner entry, storefronts and sidewalk café enclosure Staff comments: Recommendation: Condition: Basis: The proposed storefront alterations will restore a recessed corner entry identified in historic photographs. The two storefront bays flanking the corner entry will be altered to include operable storefront windows in an accordion configuration. A new entry will be added toward the southern end of the ground floor on Wazee Street. Small downlights will be incorporated into the entry soffits and storefront soffits. The sidewalk at the corner will be repaved with sandstone pavers, and the sidewalk enclosure will be enlarged to the south on Wazee Street. New planters will be added to the inside of the sidewalk enclosure, but due to their scale, they will reduce visibility of the ground floor from the sidewalk. Approval with Condition Reduce the scale of the planters inside the sidewalk enclosure to allow for greater visibility of the ground floor of the building. The proposed recessed corner entry, new entry on Wazee Street, and the two operable storefronts are in keeping with the building s historic character (Guideline..3). The proposed lighting at the soffits is low-level downlighting (7.2.2). The sidewalk railing has a simple design and is made of a substantial material (..5). The sidewalk paving at the corner is sandstone and has a walk-over curb and bronze plaques to meet City standards (Sidewalk guidelines). However, the new planters in the sidewalk enclosure are large and will reduce visibility of the ground floor of the historic building (Planter guidelines). Suggested Motion: I move to approve application 206-COA-356 for the storefront alterations and sidewalk enclosure at 600 7 th Street, as per Design Guidelines..3,..5, and 7.2.2, Streetscape guidelines related to sidewalks and planters, presented testimony, submitted documentation and information provided in the staff report, with the condition that the planters inside the sidewalk enclosure be reduced in scale. Continued
Excerpted from Design Guidelines for Lower Downtown Historic District May 2002 Guideline..3 Replacement of missing features Requirement: Replacement of missing features shall be documented for historical accuracy...4 New Features Requirement: New features that change the historic character of the building shall be denied approval. 0.. First Floor Facades Requirement: The first floor façade of a building shall be designed to be pedestrian friendly. Meets guideline? Yes Comments An historic photograph of the building shows that the storefront in 93 had a recessed entry behind the corner column (sheet A.7). While the photo also indicates that the current storefronts are non-historic the historic storefronts were paired rather than the current storefronts tripartite configurations the proposed design for the corner entry is in keeping with the historic appearance of the building. The two storefront bays flanking the corner entry will have fixed transoms and bulkheads but accordion windows set in a tripartite configuration (sheet A.8). When closed, these storefront windows should appear to match the storefronts in the other bays. As a result, staff does not think this change in operation will alter the character of the building. The Board has previously approved operable windows in a configuration similar to the existing storefront when it entails the replacement of non-historic storefront infill. One new entry will be installed on the southern end of the ground floor on Wazee Street. Its design is based on an existing entry on Wazee Street. Policy 7.2. Lighting All exterior lighting shall be of a relatively low level in keeping with the overall historic character of Lower Downtown. 7.2.2 Exterior Downlighting Preference: Lighting of sidewalk surfaces shall be generally discouraged except at defined dining areas. Within these areas, lighting shall be kept at the lowest possible level. Yes LED spot lights are proposed for the soffits at each entry and at the soffit of each storefront bay (detail 3/A.6). These lights will be of relatively low level and will light dining areas rather than the building itself. 0.4. Restaurants and dining Requirement: Railings shall enclose dining areas...5 Railings, walls, fences, and gates Requirement: Railings, walls, fences and gates shall be constructed from substantial materials. Yes The proposed sidewalk enclosure will be expanded to the south as noted on detail /A.6. The proposed sidewalk enclosure will be 88-2 long and 0-0 deep. It will be 9-2 from the trunk of the nearest street tree. While a detail of the proposed railing is not included in the set, the applicants have indicated that they do not intend to change the design of the railing. The current railing is a simple metal picket railing (see photo on A.0) painted a dark green color. The proposed café furniture, umbrellas and heaters are all movable and are not under review by the Board. Continued 600 7 th Street September 8, 206 2
Excerpted from Design Guidelines for Lower Downtown Streetscape (99) Guideline Sidewalk materials (pg. 9): Concrete, with simple scoring patterns that relate to the architectural elements on the building facades, is recommended for sidewalks in Lower Downtown. Flagstone or other material may be used for special accent areas related to major architectural building features, creating a larger scale pattern on the street. Handicapped Access (pg. 9): All intersection corners should be designed with walkover curbs per City standard. Street Names in the Pavement (pg. 9): The sidewalks at all new intersections should include the street name in bronze. Meets guideline? Yes Comments The proposal includes replacement of the concrete sidewalk at the corner of 7 th and Wazee Street (sheet A.6). The proposed sidewalk paving will be 2 x2 sandstone pavers to match those at the hotel entry on Wazee Street (see photos on A.2). The revised paving will incorporate bronze street names in the sidewalk and accessible walk-over curbs, as per City standard. Sidewalk Cafes (pg. 5): Sidewalk cafes are encouraged in Lower Downtown. The seating area should be well defined and easy to maintain. Metal railings painted federal green should be used to distinguish the outdoor café from the pedestrian path. Seating areas for cafes should not block the free flow of pedestrians. Railings (pg. 6): The important aspect of these new railings is that they fall within the family of Lower Downtown railing designs. Planter Pots (pg. 25): Pots should occupy a surface area of at least two square feet and not block other elements such as streets, signs, meters, street lights. Large, freestanding planting pots are the preferred style. Yes / No The existing sidewalk café enclosure will be enlarged, as noted on the previous page. The railing will be accompanied by tall steel planters installed inside the perimeter of the enclosure (see plan /A.6 and photo of the proposed planter on A.8). Staff finds that these planters are too large and will significantly reduce visibility of the historic building s ground floor from the sidewalk. END 600 7 th Street September 8, 206 3
Lower Downtown Design A.0
Project description and scope: A renovated dining experience is planned to operate within the existing ground floor restaurant space at the Oxford hotel. The restaurant occupies the entire 27- foot façade of the Wazee hotel face and extends around corner encompassing 37 feet of the 7th street façade. Limited outdoor dining is provided along the Wazee sidewalk. The project envisioned in this submittal proposes to make several carefully crafted adjustments to the first floor storefront to accommodate some of the new restaurant operations. These modifications follow the LODO design guidelines objectives of enhancing the pedestrian friendly experience within LODO while maintaining the historic qualities of the hotel. The project includes improving the main corner restaurant entrance with an ADA compliant canted main door and vestibule following the 93 as-built condition. The restaurant program proposes to expand the outdoor dining seating area along Wazee Street approximately doubling the seating capacity. To access and service this dining area a new man door is proposed in the left most storefront bay as you view the Wazee hotel façade (refer to the outdoor ground floor plan). Additionally, operable pivot windows are planned in the two storefront bays that flank the corner restaurant entrance located at 7th Street and Wazee Street. These windows elevate the visual accessibility and social experience of the restaurant interior with the public realm of the exterior sidewalk. Design concepts are presented within this LDDRB package to address the new outdoor dining, outdoor lighting, furniture and fixtures along with the new door and window details. Proposed building signage changes will be submitted in a separate forth coming comprehensive signage submittal. Project Scope Wazee Sidewalk Looking West A.
A.2 Existing Hotel as Viewed from the Intersection N T S Hotel from the Intersection A.2
A.3 7th Street- Existing Context Block Elevation N.T.S. Wazee Street Alley Oxford Annex Wynkoop Street Union Station 6th Street Mall Wazee Street Hotel Annex 7th Street 2 A.3 Wazee Street- Existing Context Block Elevation N. T. S. Block Elevation A.3
A.4 7th Street Elevation- Existing Elevation /8" = '-0" Proposed Elevation 4 A.4 7th Street- Proposed Elevation /8" = '-0" Operable center pivot / stackable windows in the second bay New entry vestibule configuration A.4
A.5 Wazee Street- Existing Elevation /8" = '-0" New service door to access expanded dining Canvas canopy removal Expanded Dining Area 2 A.5 Wazee Street- Proposed Elevation /8" = '-0" New entry vestibule configuration Proposed Elevation Operable center pivot / stackable windows in the second bay A.5
Dining Umbrellas (removable LED lighting attached at the collar support of each umbrella) 2 A.6 Proposed Outdoor Dining Plan N.T.S. Umbrella Layout Patio Heater 3 A.6 Proposed Outdoor Dining Plan N.T.S. Recessed LED can lights at each doorway soffit and under each storefront bay lintel Recessed LED Light fixture (additional temporary festoon lighting may be provided). Pivot stackable windows Enhanced paving at the street corner which matches the 7th Street Hotel front entry All outside furniture is sectional and movable New Service Door 7th Street Steel Planter boxes spaced around the perimeter of the dining area, see reference image sheet A.8 0'-0" Patio Heaters typical 40'-5" 47'-9" Expand Outdoor Dining area 0-3/6" 09" 9'-2" 7-43/64" 20" 0" 7-7/64" 336-23/64" Bronze street names in sidewalk intersection per City Lower Downtown Design Guidelines 97-39/64" Existing tree and cast iron grates (typical all locations) Wazee Street Existing Concrete scoring pattern (5' x5') Replace existing Paving with new Sandstone 2'x2' pavers (match front entry condition) Sidewalk construction to follow Public Works curb cut standards Restaurant Sidewalk Plan A.6 Proposed Hotel Outdoor Dining Plan /8" = '-0" A.6
A.7 Restaurant Corner Entry N.T.S. The Denver Public Library, Western History Collection, Call # X-8834 A.7 Original Canted Entry circa 93 N.T.S. Corner Entry Views A.7 Restaurant Corner Entry N.T.S. A.7
Recessed LED can lights under lintel Alan E. Colussy, AIA All glazing at Ground level storefront bays to be replaced with insulated clear glass units. Match all storefront glazing profiles. 3 fixed panels 3 operable panels New Operable Center Pivot and Stackable Windows. Window trim to respect the existing glazing profile. Proposed Storefront Bay with pivot windows fully open Proposed Storefront Bay All Storefront bays and Cast Iron columns to be repainted. Pivot window operation sequence New Door to Match Existing Existing Storefront Bay Proposed Storefront Bay Refer to Sheet A.9 for plan details of the entry 2 Service Door Elevation A.8 /4" = '-0" Recessed LED can lights in soffitt Existing Storefront Bay Steel box planter integrated with the railings around the perimeter of the dining area 3 A.8 Corner elevation- Proposed Elevation /4" = '-0" Proposed Storefront Bay All Trim to match existing profile rev. date remark 4 Submission New Wood/Glass ADA compliant entry, door and vestibule Storefront Details 8/27/206 Refer to sheet A.9 for plan details of the entry A.8 /4" = '-0" Operable Window- Proposed Elevation A.8 Existing Storefront Bay
2'-0" 4 A.9 Alan E. Colussy, AIA A.9 Existing Ground Floor Plan /8" = '-0". 5 A.9 4 A.9 Existing Corner Entry /4" = '-0" 5'-0" 0'-0" 3 A.9 2'-" 9'-5" 5 A.9 Proposed new Entry (based on historic configuration) /4" = '-0" 2 A.9 Proposed Ground Floor Plan /8" = '-0". 3'-" 3 A.9 New Service Door /4" = '-0" Plan Details Existing Patio Service Door A.9
rev. date remark 4 Submission 8/27/206 Site Photos Existing Dining area on Wazee Street Sidewalk Existing 7th Street Sidewalk looking North A.0 Existing Wazee Street Sidewalk looking West Existing Dining area on Wazee Street Sidewalk Alan E. Colussy, AIA
Existing Column Detail Wazee Street Existing Corner Entry Like Example of proposed corner entry (across the Street from the ) Site Photos A. Wazee Street Sidewalk looking West Wazee Street Sidewalk Detail 7th Street Existing Corner Entry
7th Street and Wazee Street Sidewalk Intersection 7th Street and Wazee Street Sidewalk Intersection Site Photos Existing 7th Street and Wazee Street Hotel Entry Paving conditions A.2