Commissioners Allow Demolition of Two Low-Rise Structures to Make Way for New Development

The two sites, which together constitute one through-block lot, will host new ten- and 13-story buildings designed by Morris Adjmi Architects. On June 22, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and approved an application to demolish two structures in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, at 21West 17th Street, and 16 West 18th Street, and replace them with a 13-story and a ten-story building, respectively. The two lots face each other at the … <Read More>


Rent Guidelines Board Freezes One-Year Leases for 2nd-Year in a Row

Board votes for rent freeze despite strong push for a rent rollback by City Council coalition. On June 27, 2016, the New York City Rent Guidelines Board held a final vote to set guidelines for 2016-2017. This vote took place one year after the Rent Guidelines Board made a historic decision to freeze one-year leases instead of raising them.


Union Square Park, Bergdorf Goodman, IRT Powerhouse Among Items Considered at Third Special Hearing

Wide support voiced for designation of monumental Stanford White-designed powerhouse and iconic Classicist department store, despite owner opposition. On November 5, 2015, Landmarks held the third of four special hearings to address the backlog of items calendared prior to 2010, but never brought to a vote on designation. Previous hearings were held on October 8 and 22, 2015. The November hearing was the first devoted to items in Manhattan.


Landmarks Split on Project Proposed for SoHo Site

Landmarks previously approved demolition of one-story garage and new seven-story building in 2011. On March 3, 2015, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered a proposal for the demolition of an existing one-story garage, and the construction of a new six-story-plus-penthouse building, at 150 Wooster Street in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. The two-lot site is currently occupied by a vacant lot and a garage, which was heavily altered from an earlier structure at some point … <Read More>


City Planning Holds Hearing on One Vanderbilt Proposal

Representatives from the project developers, Grand Central Terminal, and private citizens argued the proposal.  On February 4, 2015 the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed One Vanderbilt skyscraper project.  The proposed building would be 1,450 feet high and take up a block bounded by Madison Avenue to the west, Vanderbilt Avenue to the east, 42nd Street to the south, and 43rd Street to the north.  The project would also include transit … <Read More>


City Planning Approves Conversion of JLWQA Building

CPC vote allows building renovation and conversion to residential use.  On January 21, 2015 the City Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a special permit to 102 Greene Owner LLC for the renovation of 102 Greene Street in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.  The renovation will add two floors to the building and restore a cast-iron façade, but remove the building’s Joint Live-Work Quarters for Artists (JLWQA) designation and re-designate it as Use Group … <Read More>