Corn Exchange Building proposal (does not reflect LPC modifications). Credit: Danois Architects
Artimus Construction plans to restore the deteriorated remains of the original six-story Harlem landmark. On September 11, 2012, Landmarks approved Artimus Construction’s redevelopment proposal for the severely dilapidated Mount Morris Bank, also known as the Corn Exchange building, at 81 East 125th Street in Harlem. Landmarks designated the 1884 six-story building as an individual City landmark in 1993. The red-brick building once featured a combination of Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival-style architecture and terra cotta and iron ornament, but has rapidly deteriorated since its designation.
The building was abandoned in the 1970s, and lost its mansard roof to a fire in the late 1990s. In 2000, the City’s Economic Development Corporation selected Ethel Bates to rehabilitate the building and turn it into a culinary school. Bates failed to maintain the property, and EDC sued to reclaim title. Landmarks later filed a demolition-by-neglect lawsuit against Bates, citing the building’s missing windows and collapsed floors. In 2009, Buildings partially demolished the building’s remaining top two floors citing dangerous conditions above the second floor. Two years later, EDC issued an RFEI seeking a developer to rehabilitate the building.
On April 24, 2012, Artimus Construction presented its initial plan to Landmarks. Artimus’ Barry Gurvitch described the proposal as an attempt to “recreate the grandeur and ambiance” of the original Corn Exchange, while also creating (read more…)
- Image: Courtesy of Cityland.
City is in process of reclaiming landmarked building after owner failed to redevelop property. On March 22, 2011, the City’s Economic Development Corporation issued a request for expressions of interest for the purchase and redevelopment of what remains of the landmarked Corn Exchange Building at the corner of East 125th Street and Park Avenue in East Harlem. The Lamb & Rich-designed six-story building was built in 1884 and has deteriorated significantly over the years.
The building was abandoned in the 1970s and lost its two-story mansard roof after a fire in the late 1990s. EDC in 2000 selected Ethel Bates, under Corn Exchange LLC, to rehabilitate the building and establish a non-profit culinary school. EDC sold the building to Bates for $10,000 in 2003. Bates failed to redevelop the site in the required three year period, and EDC sued to reclaim the property in 2007. Supreme Court Justice Judith J. Gische awarded title of the building back to EDC in January 2009. 6 CityLand 33 (March 15, 2009). Bates has appealed the decision. While EDC’s lawsuit was pending, Landmarks filed a demolition by neglect lawsuit against Bates for failing to maintain the building, citing collapsed floors, missing windows, and water damage. Justice Gische, however, declined to order Bates to make immediate repairs, ruling that the court could not compel Bates to rehabilitate a building she no longer owned. Subsequently, the Department of Buildings in April 2009 issued an emergency violation citing dangerous conditions above the second floor and demolished the building’s top two floors. (read more…)
