Four-Story Addition to Recently Designated Landmark Proposed

Developer’s representatives said application was presented as alternative to hardship application to demolish landmark; proposed four-story addition would celebrate and honor history of building. On January 9, 2017, Landmarks held a hearing for proposed work on 827-831 Broadway, an individual City landmark. The twin buildings—completed in 1867 and designed by Griffith Thomas—were recently designated landmarks for their commercial history, original cast-iron Italianate architecture, and their connection to 20th century art. The buildings … <Read More>


Exterior and Interior of Colonial Revival Building Added to Commission’s Calendar

Headquarters of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York serves as both club house and museum. On December 12, 2017, Landmarks voted to add the Headquarters of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York to its calendar for consideration as both an exterior and interior City landmark.  The Neo-Colonial building, at 215 East 71st Street, was completed in 1930 to designs by architect Richard … <Read More>


Council Committee Approves Commercial Use on Bedford Avenue Residential Block

Zoning map amendment approved permitting ground floor space for commercial use in a residential block in the Williamsburg neighborhood. On January 23, 2018, the New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises unanimously voted to approve the zoning map amendment adding a commercial use permit to the ground floor space of 116 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn and the 9 adjacent buildings on the block. Five of those adjacent buildings already have commercial uses on … <Read More>


New Special Permit for Self-Storage Facilities: An Imperfect Victory for Industrial Jobs Advocates

The final legislative session of 2017 saw an active NYC City Council scrambling to pass almost 40 bills before the term’s end.  Among these legislative actions was the passage of a zoning text amendment for the creation of a special permit that will limit self-storage facilities in NYC’s Industrial Business Zones (IBZ’s).  City Council’s vote in favor of the new special permit is a victory for the industrial and manufacturing sectors, albeit an imperfect victory … <Read More>


Late-19th-Century Residential Area to be Considered as Historic District

Proposed 164-property historic district constructed in late 19th century for upper-middle-class housing; served important role in Harlem and history. On December 12, 2017, Landmarks voted to add the Central Harlem West 130-132nd Street Historic District to its calendar for possible designation. The proposed district consists of the interiors of three blocks on 130th, 131st, and 132nd Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Lenox Avenue. Landmarks staff identified the potential historic district while surveying … <Read More>


Commercial Use Amendment Approved for Bedford Avenue Residential Block

City Planning approved a zoning map amendment permitting ground floor space for commercial use in residential buildings in Williamsburg neighborhood. On December 13, 2017, the City Planning Commission issued a favorable report on the application submitted by 116 Bedford Avenue, LLC—owner of 116 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. This zoning map amendment would permit the building to use ground floor space for commercial use and bring five other existing commercial uses currently located in … <Read More>