Landmarks approved controversial three-story addition. At a March 7, 2006 meeting, Landmarks unanimously approved a three-story rear addition to an 1841 Greek Revival building at 159 West 12th Street in the Greenwich Village Historic District. The initial plan, presented by Hottenroth & Joseph Architects, called for demolition of an existing two-story addition and construction of a new four-story addition approximately 1,300 sq.ft. larger.

At the hearing, the owners, Donna and Paul Ullman, testified that they respected historic preservation, were restoring the building’s facade, and had chosen an architect who would be historically and contextually sensitive. The Ullmans, who have two young children, also said they had purchased the building for its expandability. The Ullmans’ representative, Shelly Friedman of Friedman and Gotbaum, testified that the expansion would leave 40 feet of yard space, that no trees would be harmed by the construction, and that the addition would not be visible from public streets. (read more…)