Second Hearing for Marine Midland Bank Designation [UPDATE: Bank Designation OK’d]

See below for update.

Preservationists turned out to support designation of mid-century modern bank building. On April 2, 2013 and May 14, 2013, the Landmarks Preservation Commission heard testimony on the potential designation of the Marine Midland Bank building at 140 Broadway in Manhattan’s Financial District. The building was designed by the Gordon Bunshaft-helmed firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and exemplifies mid-century modernism in its unadorned curtain walls of black aluminum and bronze-tinted … <Read More>


Durst Development at West 57th Street Gets One Step Closer to Full Approval

New development plan promises period of residential affordability, lively streetscape, and small public space in Manhattan. On December 19, 2012, the City Planning Commission approved Durst Development LLC’s mixed-use development project at 625 West 57th Street. A unique, pyramid-shaped, 35-story building between West 57th and 58th Streets will be the centerpiece of the project. The building will contain 753 rental units including 151 affordable units, ground floor retail space, and a 285-space accessory … <Read More>


Expansion of Upper West Side district debated

Large expansion of Riverside/West End Historic District would encompass 338 buildings. On October 25, 2011, Landmarks heard testimony on the proposed Riverside/West End Historic District Extension II. The district would abut the northern end of the original Riverside/West End Historic District and include 338 buildings between West 109th and 89th Streets and Broadway and Riverside Drive. A handful of buildings along the west side of Broadway between 89th and 94th Streets would also … <Read More>


Lefrak Tower residential conversion approved

Image: courtesy of radaris.com.

Buildings claimed that owner miscalculated permissible number of dwelling units for proposed office conversion. The Lefrak Organization in 2010 applied to Buildings for an alteration permit to convert its thirteen-story office tower at 97- 45 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens to a residential building. Lefrak built the 131,930 sq.ft. tower in 1960 pursuant to BSA approvals. Lefrak planned to convert the building’s top twelve floors to 108 apartments … <Read More>


Former stables trigger West Side landmarking debate

Upper West Side’s Dakota Stables, currently used as a parking garage. Photo: LPC.

Developer had received building permits on historic stable prior to landmarking hearing. On October 17, 2006, Landmarks held hearings to consider the designation of two Upper West Side buildings originally used as livery stables, the Mason or Dakota Stables at 348 Amsterdam Avenue between West 76th and West 77th Streets, and the New York Cab Company Stable at 318 Amsterdam Avenue at … <Read More>