John Belle and Richard Southwick on 40 Years of Practicing Before Landmarks

Fresh from a business trip in Europe, John Belle, founding partner of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, and Richard Southwick, partner and director of the firm’s preservation department, recently sat down for an afternoon with CityLand. Joined by Olivia, Belle’s mild-mannered golden retriever, the two architects discussed the City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission and the impact of preservation on land use.

Self-described as “one of those immigrants,” Belle was born in Cardiff, Wales, … <Read More>


MTA selects Tishman’s billion dollar bid for Hudson Yards

Proposal would create 13 million sq.ft. of developable space. On March 26, 2008, the MTA Board selected Tishman Speyer’s proposal to develop the western and eastern portions of the John D. Caemmerer Rail Yard, also known as Hudson Yards. At $1.004 billion, Tishman outbid four competing real estate developers for the right to transform the 26-acre site despite proposing the smallest number of residential units and the least amount of open space.

Tishman’s proposal, designed … <Read More>


Council okays Solow project

Sheldon Solow’s development plan for the former Con Edison site on the East River. Image: DBOX for Solow Management

Four billion dollar project includes over four million sq.ft. of develop-able space. On March 26, 2008, the City Council approved developer Sheldon Solow’s plan to build seven towers on the 9.2-acre, former Con Edison site along the East River, just south of the United Nations, from 35th to 41st Streets. The plan also includes public open … <Read More>


Testimony heard on Solow East Side project

Council Member Daniel Garodnick concerned over Solow project’s height and density. On February 25, 2008, two City Council subcommittees held a joint public hearing regarding Solow Properties’ plan to construct a mixed-use development at the former Con Edison site, located along First Avenue between East 38th and 41st Streets. The subcommittees also heard testimony regarding Manhattan Community Board 6’s 197-a plan, which covers the same area.

The Planning Commission significantly modified both plans on January … <Read More>


Commission approves Solow, CB6 plans

Solow plan to include affordable housing, open space. On January 28, 2008, the Planning Commission voted to approve the development plans of Solow and Manhattan Community Board 6 for the former-Con Edison site on Manhattan’s East Side, located along First Avenue between East 35th and 41st Streets. Solow’s plan called for a mixed-use development consisting of new high-rise towers, parking facilities, and publicly accessible open space. Board 6’s plan, meanwhile, called for height, density, and … <Read More>


Kaufman Studios’ mixed-use development OK’d

Development will provide housing for studio employees, actors and other film industry personnel. On January 9, 2008, the City Council voted to approve an application to rezone an eight-lot, former manufacturing area, and build a three-lot, mixed-use development in Western Queens.

The development, proposed by Kaufman Astoria Studios and Damroc Realty, will be located on 35th Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets, and consist of two sevenstory residential buildings with 60 residential units, 62 parking … <Read More>