Doors and Windows

The cumulative effect of the doors and windows, more than other facade elements, establishes and accents the character and scale of the district. For this reason, the doors and windows should emulate in style those of the ’20s and ’30s, in a configuration typical of the respective building type.

In general, doors and windows can be considered from the viewpoint of the individual store. First-floor windows display goods and let in light, and the door allows entry into the building. Upper-story windows emphasize the character and scale of the individual building and light the offices and businesses in upper-story spaces. Overall, windows on the rears of structures should address their individual condition—those buildings that face houses should use residential-type windows, whereas those that face an alley and a fence have more flexibility in window selection. Buildings that back directly onto houses—without a buffer of at least 30 feet provided by parking or a lawn—must have residential windows on the second story and, where possible, on the first story to address these houses.

Window openings should not be closed off. If windows need to be covered for privacy—for example, within a restaurant—the window openings should be covered from within the building so that the voids are still visible on the facade.

Doors

Doors should lend harmony to the building facade through complementing the proportion of the surrounding windows, displaying consistency with the height of the display windows, and corresponding vertically to the second story windows. In cases where aluminum and glass doors exist, it is recommended the aluminum be painted in a shade compatible with the exterior building material. In general, doors will be a combination of glass and wood or metal.