Court declares art organization, not building owner, owns artwork on exterior wall of SoHo historic district building. In September 2004, Judge Deborah A. Batts allowed the Board of Managers of Soho International Arts Condominium to proceed with its Fifth Amendment takings claim against the City, pending an inquiry as to who owned the well-known minimalist sculpture by artist Forrest Myers that had been attached to 599 Broadway since 1973. (See CityLand’s past coverage here.)

The City argued that 599 Broadway was the current owner of the artwork because City Walls, Inc., a non-profit organization that played a significant role in financing and installing the three-dimensional structure, had abandoned the artwork when it ceased to function as a corporation. In the alternative, the City argued that 599 Broadway had obtained title through adverse possession. (read more…)