Arpad Baksa-designed, six-story building to be located within corridor between historic Broome and Wooster Streets. On May 7, 2008, the City Planning Commission approved Rocksprings Management Company’s proposal to build a six-story, 12,498-square-foot residential building, with ground-floor retail, at 52 Wooster Street.

Currently, a ten-space parking lot occupies the site, which is located in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District on the corner of Broome and Wooster Streets. Surrounding the site are five- and six-story buildings, many of which have residential units, home offices, and art galleries on the upper floors, along with retail establishments and restaurants on the ground floor. Rocksprings sought a special permit because the site is currently zoned for manufacturing activity, specifically M1-5B, and prohibits residential uses therein.

At the Commission public hearing held on April 9, 2008, Rocksprings’ attorney, Mitchell Korbey of Herrick Feinstein LLP, assured the Commission that the developer would take all required precautions to protect the buildings in the historic district. He further noted that Rocksprings would be working with the New York City Department of Transportation to develop a plan to minimize traffic disruptions during construction.

A representative for Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer expressed his support for the project, emphasizing that it should comply with the New York City Department of Buildings’ procedures governing construction work on historic structures. There were no speakers in opposition.

The Commission approved Rocksprings’ proposal. The Commission noted that Broome and Wooster Streets already have a significant amount of residential and commercial uses despite the manufacturing zoning designation. The Commission further noted that the scale of the proposed building is consistent with the scale of buildings in the historic district and that the Landmarks Preservation Commission approves of the design.

The proposal is now before the City Council for its review.

ULURP Process
Lead Agency: CPC,Neg.Dec.
Comm.Bd.: MN 2,App’d, 35-0-0
Boro.Pres.: App’d
CPC: App’d, 13-0-0
Council: pending

CPC: 52-54 Wooster Street (C 070159 ZSM – special permit) (May 7, 2008). CITYADMIN