A city design board has given uplighting a thumbs down.

The Board of Architectural Review rejected the proposed exterior lighting plan for the future “Gallery on East Bay” by RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware.

BAR members said the modern fixtures are out of character for the Historic District and the Wagener Building at a prominent corner at 161 East Bay St.

The dimmable uplights spanning the exterior of the first floor on both East Bay and Queen streets would automatically turn on at sunset and be covered by shields so that light wouldn't “spill out” onto pedestrians, said David Cryder of Chicago-based Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. There would be 19 fixtures on the first floor.

“The goal is to create highlights on the existing details on the building,” Cryder said at the

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