Landmarks approved development project to be built on vacant lot in the NoHo Historic District: Project now before Planning Commission. On February 5, 2014, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing for an application by Downtown Re Holdings LLC for special permits for a proposed mixed-use development located on 688 Broadway, between West 4th and Great Jones Streets in the NoHo Historic District. The special permits would allow Use Group 2 residential uses … <Read More>
Search Results for: SoHo, Manhattan
HDC Defends NYC Landmark Preservation
Last week CityLand published a Guest Commentary from Steven Spinola, President of REBNY. Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council submitted this commentary in response.
In his recent editorial in CityLand, Steven Spinola, the longtime President of the Real Estate Board of New York, suggested a number of ways which the Landmarks Law needs to be reformed to adhere to its “spirit.” This is a curious statement that warrants further examination. … <Read More>
Proposed Reforms to Improve the Landmarks Preservation Commission
The Landmarks Law, enacted in 1965 to preserve the city’s architectural, historical and cultural resources, contains few standards about what merits designation and few rules governing the process. This has resulted in broad brush designations that are of questionable significance and that are impeding the City’s larger planning, economic development, and housing efforts. It is time to amend the Landmarks Law to bring designations more in line with other city policies, provide more timely information … <Read More>
New Six-Story Building Approved for Site Where Hotel Once Stood
Residents and representatives from the Judd Foundation oppose demolition of two-story structure for the development of a new six-story building due to loss of light and air space. On September 17 2013, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing, and voted to approve a proposal for the demolition of an existing building, as well as the plans for new structure located at 529 Broadway in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. The building will be … <Read More>
Partially Destroyed Store-and-Loft Building Receives Restoration Approval
Planned four-story addition will reconstruct the historic cast iron facade, add contemporary set-back penthouse. On August 13, 2013, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and approved a plan to add four stories to an existing building at 29 Greene Street, Manhattan in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. The building, completed in 1878, originally stood at four stories, but a fire reduced it to its current height of two stories. The building will be used … <Read More>
Facade Demolitions Approved on DOB Recommendation
Applicants will retain brick from neglected Federal style row houses’ unstable facades on the verge of collapse. On May 21, 2013, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve an application for the demolition of two adjacent structures at 321 and 323 Canal Street in Manhattan’s SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. The action was presented as necessary to prevent the imminent collapse of the vacant buildings. Landmarks’ Deputy Counsel John Weiss explained that the application … <Read More>