What Should a Rendering Show?

Back when the alterations to General Worth's birthplace were being approved by the Historic Preservation Commission, then chair Tom Swope suggested that the missing historic marker be added to the rendering so that the rendering would document exactly what the HPC had approved. That didn't happen, but when the cellar windows of the house were sealed up, the HPC used the rendering as evidence that they had not approved this action, and the cellar windows were reinstated.

The rendering for the new buildings on the corner of Union and First streets seems never to have had the same documentary force. When it was pointed out that the buildings were in reality significantly taller than they appeared in the rendering, some members of the HPC explained that the rendering didn't have to be accurate because there were elevations that indicated the height of the new buildings. 

     
Now the buildings are nearly finished, and some rather ornate cast iron--some say cast aluminum--railings have been installed on the porticos.

The rendering and the elevations submitted to the HBC show very simple railings, presumably of wood, in keeping with the stark and uncomplicated faux Greek Revival design of the buildings. The railings that have been installed are ornate and quite fanciful. Their palmettes make them reminiscent of the fence around 345 Allen Street. 

Although fancy ironwork was used on real Greek Revival houses, often on fences, balconies, and roof-top ornaments, one wonders if the HPC would have approved these railings for 102-104 Union Street had they known this is what was planned.