New Balance is moving into the former Puma store at 856 Market St. in Union Square that closed last spring, and it has plans to spiff up its look.

The shoe company has applied for approval to redo the building's façade, which will be heard at the regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Committee at 12:30pm tomorrow at City Hall. Though it was built in 1915, the three-story building was "substantially altered" in 2000, according to the Major Permit to Alter Case Report filed with SF Planning.

Plans call for a new façade clad in cement board panels, with aluminum-frame windows and storefront. "Behind the glazing in the center window will be a perforated red metal panel that spans the height of the window openings," the report reads. "An internally illuminated channel letter sign will be mounted to the face of the perforated metal panel at the second floor."

Rendering: Courtesy of New Balance, Elkus/Manfredi Architects and Office of Charles F. Bloszies

We reached out to the project sponsor, Charles F. Bloszies, but he was unavailable by deadline. No public input has been received on the project, according to the report.

The Planning Department is recommending approval with conditions: the Historic Preservation Committee wants to see a mock-up of the cement board cladding installed, for staff review and approval.

"Staff has determined that the proposed work will be in conformance with the requirements of Article 11 and the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation," the report reads. "Proposed work will not damage or destroy distinguishing original qualities or character of the District. Staff finds that the historic character of theDistrict will be retained and preserved."