115-Property District in Morningside Enters Designation Process

Potential 115-building district was largely developed in a short time frame following closures of two asylums that occupied area and extension of IRT subway line at turn of the century. On September 13, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to add the Morningside Heights Historic District to its calendar, formally commencing the designation process. The proposed district is composed of approximately 115 buildings in upper Manhattan, to the west and south of Columbia University’s campus. … <Read More>


Potential Developers Say Designation Would Likely Halt Adaptive Reuse of Former Dairy

Developer’s engineers say stabilizing the buildings while conducting environmental remediation would lead to six million dollars in unplanned costs. On September 13, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a second hearing on the potential designation of two of the buildings that once composed the Empire State Dairy Company at 2840 Atlantic Avenue in the East New York section of Brooklyn.


Proposal to Demolish and Replace Destabilized 19th-Century Building Approved after Alterations to Design

New corner building will use reclaimed brick from the demolished structure to the extent possible and appear largely as the demolished building did circa 1940. On September 13, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve the demolition of the building at 327 Bleecker Street in the Greenwich Village Historic District. The deteriorated and unstable building on the corner lot, which dates to the 1830s, will be replaced with a structure that would reflect … <Read More>


Preservation Consultant Gregory Dietrich on a Unique Path to a Unique Career

Gregory Dietrich, Principal of Gregory Dietrich Preservation Consulting, works as one of the small number of privately practicing historic preservation consultants. His vocation brings him into close contact with regulatory bodies, developers, land use agencies, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations and more.  This gives him a unique perspective, and requires a wide range of expertise he continues to broaden.  In conversation, his intellectual versatility becomes readily apparent, as he discussed his work, his background, and … <Read More>


Revised Development Proposal Approved for Vacant Corner Lot

Applicants rescinded proposed double-height rectangular form for a more subtle series of setbacks, and reduced size of windows to bring it into a scale more contextual with the neighborhood. On August 2, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and approved a revised proposal to construct a new ten-story building at 363 Lafayette Street in the NoHo Historic District Extension. The through-block lot also faces Bond and Great Jones Streets. The lot is currently … <Read More>


Owners Opposed Full Designation of Former Dairy Complex

Owners’ attorney said long-empty buildings required significant work to make them inhabitable, and site likely required environmental remediation. On July 19, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing on the potential designation of the former Empire State Dairy Company. The complex, built as dairy distribution center composed of two buildings located at 2840 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood. Landmarks added the Dairy to its calendar at its meeting on March 8, … <Read More>