Martha Washington and Barbizon hotels considered

The Martha Washington Hotel and Barbizon Hotel for Women provided housing for single women pursuing careers. In July 2011, Landmarks held public hearings for the potential designation of two residential hotels in Manhattan that served an emerging class of professional women in the early 20th Century. The Martha Washington Hotel is located at 30 East 30th Street, and the Barbizon Hotel for Women is located at 140 East 63rd Street.

Architect Robert W. … <Read More>


Midtown Modernist office tower designated

The Look building at 488 Madison Avenue. Image: LPC.

Mid-20th century Look Building’s design was influenced by European Modernism. On July 27, 2010, Landmarks designated the Look Building at 488 Madison Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan as an individual City landmark. The 23-story, asymmetrical building was one of the City’s first office towers to reflect the influence of European Modernism.

Emery Roth & Sons designed the Look Building and the Uris Brothers developers completed the structure … <Read More>


Staten Island’s Sandy Ground area downzoned

Rezoning proposed to prevent attached homes in area settled by freed slaves in 1827. On February 3, 2010, the City Council approved State Senator Andrew J. Lanza’s rezoning proposal for the Sandy Ground neighborhood of Staten Island. Sandy Ground, also known as Rossville, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as one of the country’s oldest communities established by freed slaves. The rezoning impacts 35 blocks generally bounded by the West … <Read More>


Laurie Silberfeld on Hudson River Park

As Vice President and General Counsel at Hudson River Park Trust (the Trust), Laurie Silberfeld has played an important role in shaping Hudson River Park. Silberfeld talked with CityLand about her career and the progress of Manhattan’s waterfront park. role in shaping Hudson River Park. Silberfeld talked with CityLand about her career and the progress of Manhattan’s waterfront park.

Silberfeld, a former Regional Attorney with the State’s Department of Environmental Conservation, joined the Trust in … <Read More>


Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital to become hotel

Proceeds would help support the operations of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. The New York City Economic Development Corporation is seeking proposals to develop and operate a hotel and conference center at the former Bellevue Psychiatric Building, located at 492 First Avenue between East 29th and East 30th Streets. The winning developer would enter into a 49-year lease agreement with the City with two 25-year renewal options. Currently, the building serves as … <Read More>


Hearing held on oldest active synagogue in Queens

Elected officials urged Landmarks to designate Congregation Tifereth Israel. Photo: The New York Landmarks Conservancy.

Wide support for designation of 97- year-old synagogue. On January 15, 2008, Landmarks heard testimony on the potential designation of the Congregation Tifereth Israel synagogue located at 109-18 54th Avenue in the Corona section of Queens. Tifereth Israel is an example of the vernacular style, common amongst Lower East Side synagogues, and characterized by Gothic, Moorish, and Judaic design elements. … <Read More>