Enlargement and Conversion of Commercial Building to Residential Approved

Board granted a use variance to expand and convert three-story building for residential use, but did not address existing cellar and ground floor uses. On September 16, 2014, the Board of Standards and Appeals partially approved a use variance for Susan Golick, the owner of a commercial building at 220 Lafayette Street in Manhattan. The variance permits Ms. Golick to convert the building’s second and third floor to residential use and to build an additional … <Read More>


Council Subcommittee Hears Proposal for SoHo Six-Story Commercial Building [Update: Committee approves with modifications]

(READ UPDATE FROM 9/30/2014 BELOW)

Developers seek permission for three floors of retail over community objections.  On September 16, 2014, the New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a public hearing on a proposed six-story commercial building at 19 East Houston Street in the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District of Manhattan, between Broadway and Crosby Street.  The lot was incorporated into the Historic District after the Landmarks Preservation Commission expanded the … <Read More>


Previously Approved Building Plan Reduced in Height from Five to Four Stories

Landmarks approved application for five story building at site of existing garage in 2013; applicants sought to amend permit to reduce height while retaining approved design. On June 24, 2014, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved an application to amend a certificate of appropriateness for a planned new building at 151 Mercer Street in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. According to the Real Deal, the new building will serve as a flagship store for fashion … <Read More>


Gym Approved for West 67th Street Building

BSA granted a two-year special permit to allow CrossFit NYC to operate in the cellar level of an existing 31-story mixed residential and commercial building. The building, located on the corner of Columbus Avenue and West 67th Street, Manhattan, is partially within a C4-7 zoning district and partially within an R8 zoning district. Neither zoning districts permit the use of physical culture establishments. The building owner and CrossFit NYC, the lessee, appealed … <Read More>


Delay in Receiving LPC Permit No Defense to Failure to Acquire DOB Permit

Owner of individual landmark was ordered by Buildings to obtain a permit to correct illegal work. On September 10, 2013, Marilyn Levine, owner of an individually landmarked 1846 Greek Revival townhouse at 5 West 16th Street in Manhattan, was issued a notice of violation (NOV) by the Department Buildings for failing to comply with an order to obtain a Buildings permit to correct a violation for work done without a permit. The original violation was … <Read More>


Fourth Time’s a Charm for New Merchant’s House-adjacent Building

Commissioners concluded that safeguards were sufficient to protect against damage to museum, and design would be unobtrusive within the historic district. On April 8, 2014, the Landmarks Preservation Commission conferred for the fourth and final time on the appropriateness of an approved development at 27 East 4th Street in the NoHo Historic District Extension. The planned eight-story building adjoins the Merchant’s House, an 1832 dwelling and individual and interior landmark currently open to … <Read More>