What we found
64 West 12th Street is in the heart of one of NYC’s most carefully reviewed historic districts. The cornice was failing in standard ways — rust, decorative element wear, paint failure. The brownstone facade had accumulated decades of weathering and prior repair work, some of which had aged better than others.
Any meaningful work here required LPC review. Materials, finishes, methods, colors all had to be specified and approved before scaffolding went up.
The Work
The application phase took several weeks before any field work began. We documented existing conditions thoroughly, specified each material by manufacturer and product, prepared color samples, and submitted for LPC staff approval. With approvals in hand, we executed: cornice restoration with rust treatment and color-matched finish; brownstone facade work with vapor-permeable patching and breathable mineral-based paint; lime-mortar repointing where joints had failed. LPC inspected the work in progress; we documented each stage with progress photos.
The result
A restored facade that meets LPC’s expectations and is ready for the next 25+ years. The cornice reads as original. The brownstone is unified in finish. The block — one of NYC’s most architecturally consistent — is enhanced rather than disrupted by the work.
Project gallery
