HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250168 129 Circular St. Addition SSPF Letter 2025 04 09Board of Directors
Michele M. Funiciello
President
Christopher Armer
Vice President
Linda L. Harvey
Secretary
Stephen Kyne
Treasurer
Andrew Bauch
Tiffany Blair
Joseph DeLeva
Steven Dodds
Giovanna D’Orazio
James Gold
John Haller
Leigh Hornbeck
Alex Kammler
Vincent LaTerra
Samantha Nass
Michelle Paquette-Deuel
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis
Sheila Sperling
Jason Thomas
Roger Woody
James Kettlewell
emeritus
Staff
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director
Dianne Winter
Development Director
Sydney Hedge
Preservation & Programs
Coordinator
Marcy Dreimiller
Historic Homes Tour
Coordinator
Patricia Herrick
Bookkeeper
April 8, 2025
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Board
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 129 Circular Street – Exterior Modifications
Dear Tamie:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has reviewed the application for the exterior
modifications to the residence and carriage house at 129 Circular Street.
The Greek Revival style residence built circa 1832 known as “Les Tuilleries” or the
Madame Jumel House and its associated carriage house are contributing buildings to the
East Side Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Greek
Revival characteristics on this residence include the prominent front gable, wide frieze
band, engaged pilasters, inset porch with two-story square wood columns, symmetrical
fenestration, and a front door with transom and sidelights.
Samantha appreciates that she had the opportunity to do a site visit and review the proposed
changes with Michael Tuck on January 14, 2025. The Foundation appreciates that the
proposed plans at that time were modified to retain the engaged pilasters of the rear
elevation of the house. The Foundation does not object to many of the proposed changes
to the rear elevation – the addition, replacement of the second-story windows, or the gable
porch overhang. The Foundation also appreciates that the existing historic north window
will be relocated.
However, the Foundation does not support the addition of a new door opening on the north
elevation because it changes the symmetry of the fenestration of that elevation. Should the
Design Review Board approve the new entrance, the Foundation respectively requests that
the applicant be required to provide detailed drawings as to how the door trim will engage
with the existing pilaster and adjacent window trim. The existing window trim should not
be altered.
The Foundation does not object to the removal of the existing panel openings on the north
elevation of the carriage house because they are not original. Per the Windows and Doors
Historic Design Guidelines; the location, size and shape of original or historic doorway
openings should be maintained and the relocation or alteration of original door openings is
discouraged, particularly on a primary façade. Therefore, the Foundation does not support
the relocation of the carriage house doors.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Michele Funiciello Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Peter & Leslie Rubecky, Applicant
Michael Tuck, Balzer & Tuck Architecture, Architect
Susan Barden, OPED Administrator, City of Saratoga Springs
Julia Destino, Planner, City of Saratoga Springs 112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org