Changes to height and bulk of buildings along Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues among modifications. The City Council modified Fordham University’s long-term master plan to expand its Lincoln Center Campus in Manhattan. Located on a superblock bounded by Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues and West 60th and 62nd Streets, the existing campus consists of three buildings, with a total floor area of 731,075 sq.ft., that are connected by a one-story, elevated structure known as the “podium,” providing internal circulation between the buildings. Fordham’s original proposal included constructing seven new buildings arranged primarily around the perimeter of the campus, and selling or leasing land to develop two private residential buildings. The original proposal would have resulted in 3,020,480 sq.ft. of total floor area.

At the City Planning Commission’s March 4th hearing, opponents of the plan focused criticism on the plan’s overall density, claiming that the “fortress-like” campus would be excessive in the already dense Lincoln Square neighborhood. The Commission made several modifications, including reducing the project’s overall floor area by 144,000 sq.ft., and reducing the maximum height of the building envelopes for several of the proposed towers along the perimeter of the superblock. (more…)

Vornado exploring new development options for current site of Hotel Pennsylvania. On January 27, 2009, the Department of City Planning held a public hearing on the draft scope of an environmental impact statement for the proposed developments at 15 Penn Plaza in Manhattan. Bounded by Seventh Avenue to the west, West 33rd Street to the north, and West 32nd Street to the south, the Vornado Realty Trust-controlled property currently houses the 1700-room Hotel Pennsylvania.

In order to respond to changing market conditions, Vornado put forth two different development scenarios, both of which require discretionary approvals from the City Planning Commission, including zoning map amendments, text amendments, and various special permits.

The first scenario comprises a 2.84 million sq.ft. single tenant office tower that reserves 1.52 million sq.ft. for office space and another five floors for trading operations. The second scenario scales back the gross square footage of the building to 2.65 million, and allows for 1.85 million sq.ft. of office space and 380,447 sq.ft. of retail space. 228,114 sq.ft. of the retail space could alternatively be used for trading uses. In addition to providing the City with Class A office space, Vornado would seek to improve local mass transit conditions, as both scenarios contemplate re-opening and renovating the pedestrian passageway under the south side of West 33rd Street. (more…)

Council okays creation of Special St. George District to revitalize waterfront neighborhood. On October 23, 2008, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s rezoning proposal for St. George, a densely populated neighborhood located at the northern tip of Staten Island. The proposal builds upon interim rules, implemented in 2005, that were designed to curb out-of-character townhouse development in commercial districts. The rules, as applied to St. George, prohibited residential uses on ground floors and limited residential buildings to heights of 70ft. Though townhouse development declined after the rules were implemented, vacant office buildings still plagued St. George’s C4-2 district.

In an effort to encourage reinvestment in the area, City Planning created the Special St. George District for 12 blocks, encompassing the civic and commercial area of the neighborhood. The Special District seeks to promote the re-use of vacant buildings, bolster a pedestrian-friendly mixed-use district, and encourage the construction of taller, narrower buildings that preserve waterfront views. To promote retail continuity in the area, sections of certain blocks have been designated as “commercial streets,” requiring retail and other commercial uses for ground floors. All new construction throughout the Special District must provide sidewalks that are at least 12ft. wide to support pedestrian activity. (more…)

Morris Adjmi knew from an early age that architecture would be his calling. At age five, he designed his first masterpiece: a pyramid of coffee tables and chairs covered with blankets. Just as his mother arrived for the unveiling, the pyramid fell to the floor and injured young Morris, striking him above the eye. Despite the initial setback, he was hooked. A native of New Orleans, he found an abundance of architecture, especially in the French Quarter, to stimulate his new found passion.

After attaining a master’s degree in architecture from Tulane University, Adjmi made his way to New York City, where he partnered with renowned architect Aldo Rossi to open Studio di Architettura. He opened his own firm in 1993, and ever since, has contributed to the architecture of the city he has come to love. From the zinc-paneled 254 Front Street in the Seaport Historic District to 40 Gansevoort Street, the first building to gain Landmarks’ approval in the Meatpacking District, Adjmi has designed a number of well-received buildings in historic districts throughout the City. He recently sat down with CityLand to discuss the Landmarks Preservation Commission process, historic districts, and the rise of sustainable design. (more…)

Four-story addition opposite Duane Park sent back to drawing board. On June 10, 2008, Landmarks heard testimony on the construction of a four-story addition and penthouse to 172 Duane Street, a two-story building within the Tribeca West Historic District. Built in 1871 as a store-and-loft building, the owners extensively renovated it in 1991 prior to the historic district’s designation. The widely-praised renovation, overseen by architect Vincent Posinelli, restored the original archwindowed cast-iron facade, but demolished the building’s remaining walls. The restored facade remained as a free-standing sculptural element, with a translucent glass-brick building designed by Posinelli behind it. The property’s new owners, 172 Realty LLC, retained Posinelli to design a new four-story addition for use as a dwelling.

Posinelli’s plan for the new structure features a glass wall rising straight above the original facade, with the new building’s facade set back 15 feet. Posinelli called the glass-enclosed space “the winter garden,” saying it would contain an elevator and a tree in homage to Duane Park across the street. The glass wall would be divided by cast bronze trusses matching the original facade’s bay windows. A one-story penthouse would be set back 50 feet from the screenwall to minimize visibility. The addition would also include teak-framed windows, sidewalls with aluminum rainscreens, and an open circular stairway, which would bring light to the building’s lower levels. (more…)