CityLand Recognizes New York City’s Civil Rights History

Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the life of Dr. King and the work of the African-American civil rights movement in the United States.   As one of the oldest cities in America, New York City has been a location for many significant milestones of African-American history, for better and for worse.  In celebration of the holiday, we have created a list of historic places that have a connection to the civil rights community.  Some of … <Read More>


The Queens Midtown Tunnel is 75 years old!

November 15, 2015 marked the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The tunnel is an indispensable link between Manhattan and Queens, the Long Island Expressway, and JFK and LaGuardia airports. Its four lanes carry 80,000 vehicles a day. Few drivers in these 80,000 vehicles, however, were likely among those breaking open champagne bottles in celebration. Drivers are more concerned with getting in the tunnel, creeping through the tunnel, and getting out … <Read More>


Demolition of Two Non-Historic Structures, New Canopy, Proposed for Seaport Pier

The demolitions would make new Pier building a free-standing structure, with four visible facades, and a new canopy that would allow for all-weather use of roof space. On August 4, 2015, representatives of the Howard Hughes Corporation appeared at the Landmarks Preservation Commission to propose revisions to their planned redevelopment of Piers 16 and 17 in the South Street Seaport Historic District. Landmarks in 2012 approved an application by SHoP Architects, after multiple hearings<Read More>


Court dismisses challenge to Pierhouse development

Zoning restrictions were not violated. In 2006, Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation entered into a project plan for developing a hotel and residential complex at Brooklyn Bridge Park.  The plan called for the development’s northern building to be limited to “approximately 100 feet”.  Following Superstorm Sandy’s flooding of Brooklyn Bridge Park, the development was redesigned to move basement mechanical equipment to the rooftop, in compliance with new zoning changes.  This increased the northern building’s height above … <Read More>


CityLand Recognizes New York City’s Presidential History

Presidents’ Day began as a remembrance of George Washington’s birthday and has since developed into a remembrance of all who have served as President of the United States of America.  New York City has played a role in the history of many Presidents, even as the birthplace of one – Theodore Roosevelt.  In celebration of the holiday, we here at CityLand have created a list of historic places that have a connection to our Presidents.  … <Read More>


CityLand Recognizes New York City’s Labor History

Labor Day commemorates the history of the labor movement and the social and economic gains of workers in the United States.   New York City has been a location for many significant milestones of labor history.  We here at CityLand document the changes in New York City land use, but we would be remiss to ignore that behind every land use change is the hard labor of American workers, from demolition to construction and all points … <Read More>