Rendering of 312 to 322 Canal Street in Manhattan. Image: LPC.

Proposal, whose previous iteration was subject to community and commissioner opprobrium, approved after reduction in size and modifications in design and materials. At its meeting on January 23rd, 2017, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and approved a modified proposal to redevelop five properties in the Tribeca East Historic District at 312 to 322 Canal Street with a single new structure. The site is currently occupied by two-story commercial structures dating to the 19th century, but heavily altered and reduced in size from their original four stories. The buildings to be demolished were not identified as having a distinct style in the 1992 designation report, and are thought to retain little, if any, original fabric.        (read more…)

Empire State Dairy Company complex. Image Credit LPC.

Owners asked for exclusion of portion of site due to need for environmental remediation; Landmarks decided to designate property as originally proposed. Landmarks voted to designate as an individual City landmark six buildings constituting the former Empire State Dairy Company complex on December 5, 2017. The complex dates to the early 20th century and occupies an entire blockfront at 2840 Atlantic Avenue. The commission added the property to its calendar in March of 2016, after Landmarks had identified the buildings as significant historic resources in a survey of the area taken to complement the rezoning of East New York. (read more…)

AT&T Building. Image Credit: LPC.

Tower’s design, which flamboyantly rejected the precepts of the International Style, generated tremendous publicity and controversy. On November 28, 2017, Landmarks voted to add the former AT&T Building, at 550 Madison Avenue to its calendar, formally commencing the designation process. Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the building is considered an icon of Postmodernism. The building, built between 1978 and 1884, is just old enough to be considered under Landmarks’ rules mandating that only buildings that have stood for 30 years or longer may be designated.  (read more…)

The Booth House. Image Credit: LPC.

A late 19th century wood-framed Queen Anne style cottage and rare 1930 Sears Roebuck prefabricated bungalow both added to Landmarks portfolio. On November 28, 2017, Landmarks voted to designate two buildings on City Island in the Bronx as individual City landmarks. Both structures are single-family dwellings. The Samuel H. and Mary T. Booth House dates to the late 1800s, and stands at 30 Centre Street, and the 1930 Captain John H. Stafford House at 95 Pell Place. Both buildings were added to Landmarks’ calendar in 2011. (read more…)

Twin adjoining buildings at 827 and 831 Broadway, Image LPC.

Attorney for owner threatened to seek demolition through a hardship application should landmarks designate the property and not permit a visible addition. At its meeting on October 17, 2017, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing on the possible individual landmarks designation of two twin adjoining buildings at 827 and 831 Broadway. Completed in 1867, the buildings were designed by architect Griffith Thomas for tobacco-company heir Pierre Lorillard in an Italian palazzi-inspired design. Built in marble with cast-iron piers and columns, the buildings represent a transitional period in Griffith’s career, before he fully embraced the use of cast iron. (read more…)

827-831 Broadway, Manhattan. Image credit: LPC

Twin 1867 structures served as home for Willem de Kooning, as well others associated with Abstract Expressionism. The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to add two buildings to its calendar for consideration as an individual City landmark at its meeting on September 19th, 2017. The significance of the twin buildings, collectively labeled the 827-831 Broadway Buildings, largely derives from their association with Abstract Expressionist artists in post-World War II-era, particularly Willem de Kooning. The buildings were constructed for commercial purposes in 1866-67 for tobacco company scion Pierre Lorillard to designs by architect Griffith Thomas. The buildings’ design was inspired by Italian palazzi, and is clad in marble with cast-iron columns. (read more…)