BSA found the requirement to move subway entrances uneconomic. Century 21 sought a variance to allow a 4,583 sq.ft. expansion on the second floor of its lower Manhattan store and a waiver from the requirement, triggered by the expansion, to relocate two subway entrances from the street to the store’s interior.

Century 21 occupies space in three contiguous buildings in lower Manhattan: the former East River Savings Bank located at 26 Cortlandt Street, a 33-story office tower at 22 Cortlandt, and a building at 10 Cortlandt. Customer circulation problems exist due to walls and fire stairs within the three buildings that cannot be changed. Its original plan for an as-of-right expansion within the 22 Cortlandt Street building failed when reasonable terms could not be reached with that building’s owner. (read more…)