Since January, the Historic Preservation Commission has been considering a proposal to demolish this historic accessory building at the corner of South First Street and Cherry Alley, behind 30 Union Street, and replace it with a new building.
The desire to eliminate this building, which was probably originally a carriage house, and replace it with something new has been shared by at least two owners of the property. As Gossips has recounted before, in 2017 the HPC received a proposal for a new building that was at least an attempt to replicate the character of the historic building, but that proposal was never pursued.
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| Elevations for the 2017 proposal |
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The HPC was concerned about the height of the new building, the orientation of the roof with the gable on the narrow side, and the overall modern look of what was proposed. At one point in the review process, HPC chair Phil Forman and architect member Cara Cragan made a visit to the site to see if the existing building might not be salvaged. Members of the HPC were concerned about losing a building that had "enormous charm" and contributed to the character and unconventional beauty of Hudson's alleys. Sadly, the owner of the building considered it a "dilapidated eyesore," maintaining that it had no history and was "just a shack in the middle of town."
At the May 8 meeting of the HPC, as an "homage to the original structure," it was agreed that a faux hayloft door would be added to the design, "to capture what would have been the vernacular of a horse barn." And so it was.
At its meeting this morning, the four members of the HPC present--Forman, Cragan, Jeremy Stynes, and Paul Barrett--agreed to grant a certificate of appropriateness to the proposed building with a faux hayloft door in the north gable.
It should be noted that the height of the roof has changed since the building was first proposed, and the applicant has agreed to use real wood siding instead of Hardiplank.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CAROLE OSTERINK
Hudson is so quickly losing any charm. Sad indeed.
ReplyDeleteHave we given up on the "idea" of preservation and the reason for preserving? Have we given up on the idea of history and the reason for preserving it? C'mon Hudson, you can do it.
ReplyDeleteThere's no masking that it's a new built modern garage. Faux is the correct term. It looks glued on, not integrated in any way. From the photo, the building looks in pretty good shape. If its proportions are not suitable for a garage, it's understandable, it wasn't a garage. At the very least give it a true working door. Perhaps repurpose the wood in the new building? It's been done many times. Even on HGTV!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, Cheviot Views, the picture of the building is one I took in 2017, when its demolition was first proposed.
DeleteThank you Carole for recording it. 2017 feels like such a long time ago. I'm referring to the newest proposal where the fake hay door is on the gable side. How about a working hay door? I've done it. The original structure looks like the real deal as it should. Everything functions and is designed for a purpose wherein lies the charm. There was an attempt to replicate in the 1st drawings which are hard to make out. Even with wood siding, it will look like a modern build. The fake wood garage doors are a glaring reminder of its era.
DeleteNothing says Disneyland quite like a faux anything. Why does HPC bother if this is the outcome?
ReplyDelete