HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB130552 Wall Street Memo from Applicant 021214 Attachment CSUMAN
A R C H I T E C T S
MEMO
Date: 2.12.14
To: Vail Town Council
c/o Warren Campbell
Town of Vail
Vail, CO 81657
From: Michael Suman, AIA
Project: Wall Street Building
Subject: Town Council Appeal of DRB final approval
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This memo is in response to comments made during the January 7t", 2014 appeal of the Design
Review Board final approval for improvements to the Wall Street building. The specific comments
provided by the Town Council members at the time were focused on:
1. The bottom panel height of the bi -fold door system proposed at the American Ski Exchange
retail space
2. Existing second level office windows in the southeast corner of the building
3. The lack of a third level balcony in the southeast corner of the building
American Ski Exchange Bi -fold door system bottom panel
The new bi -fold door system infill of the existing east and south colonnade is a creative solution to
address both the Town of Vail imposed pedestrian easement and the retail owner's need to display
wares. The door system functions as a transparent enclosure on cold days with the ability to
completely open up on warm days as a partial colonnade. Thus, it allows the interior racks of the
retail space to be readily accessible to pedestrians.
Response: While these type of door systems typically have a 10" or smaller bottom rail, it is possible
for it to be 18" to simulate a knee wall as described in the Town of Vail Design Guide plan. The
enclosed perspective sheets 2a, 8a, l Oa and 12a show this new 18" bottom rail.
Existing second level office windows in the southeast corner of the building
The comment was for these to be studied for replacement. No modifications were proposed at the
interior or the exterior of the building in the area where the designated windows reside.
Response: These two windows are relevant as is because they match the existing windows on the
west side at the same level. The step back in the east face of the building breaks the relationship of
this partial east fapade from that to the north. This design condition alleviates the need for these
windows to be replaced to match those on the facade around the corner. Therefore, the windows
are not proposed to be replaced.
Lack of third level balcony in the Southeast corner of the building
The comment was for a balcony to be added to the SE corner of the building. Once again, no
modifications were proposed at the interior or the exterior of the building in this area mentioned.
michael@sumanarchitects.com
141 East Meadow Drive, Suite 211 o 970.479.7502
Vail, CO 81657 m 970.471.6122
SUMAN
A R C H I T E C T S
Therefore, a balcony was never considered to be added nor felt aesthetically necessary to be
added.
Response: The owner of the subject southeast residential unit has been presented with this idea and
is open to adding a continuous wrap around balcony as shown in the enclosed perspective sheets
8a, 10a, and 12a. At this stage, the viability of this balcony has not been studied structurally or
economically and is being presented as a potential idea, not a commitment.
michael @sumanarchitects.com
141 East Meadow Drive, Suite 211 o 970.479.7502
Vail, CO 81657 m 970.471.6122