Despite residents’ and preservationists’ objections, exterior redesigns for partially-built Great Jones Street hotel approved. On March 16, 2009, Landmarks approved Louis Greco and SDS Great Jones LLC’s application to alter the proposed exterior of a planned thirteen-story hotel at 25 Great Jones Street in the NoHo Historic District. In January 2008, Buildings granted permits for the hotel prior to the historic district’s designation in May 2008. The partially-built structure currently occupies the property. Because of the valid permit, Landmarks had no oversight over the building’s height and massing, but the developer needed Landmarks approval for the proposed revisions to the hotel’s exterior.

At a January 19 hearing, architect Henry Smith-Miller presented the design proposal for the hotel’s skin, entrances, and courtyards. Smith-Miller explained that a stainless steel scrim with botanical etchings would cover the hotel’s glass facades. A 30-foot tall gate of asymmetrical metal slats would be built at the sidewalk edge of the hotel’s Bond Street frontage, and a courtyard fronting Great Jones Street would be hidden behind a planted bamboo stand. Residents and preservationists testifying at the hearing largely opposed the project. Commissioners expressed support for the overall design, and asked the developer to return with revised plans. 7 CityLand 9 (Feb. 15, 2010). (read more…)

Developer obtained building permit for thirteen-story building before Landmarks extended NoHo Historic District to include site. On January 19, 2010, Landmarks considered Louis Greco and SDS Great Jones LLC’s application to alter the proposed exterior of a partially built, thirteen-story hotel at 25 Great Jones Street in the NoHo Historic District Extension. The lot’s former owner initially obtained building permits to construct a ten-story building on the through-block lot in 1997. After changes in ownership, building construction began in 2007, and the current owner obtained a new permit for a thirteen-story hotel in Januaryof 2008. Under the approved permit, the narrow structure will set back from the street with entrances on Great Jones and Bond Streets.

The property came under Landmarks’ jurisdiction when Landmarks approved the NoHo Historic District extension in May 2008. 5 CityLand 76 (June 15, 2008). Landmarks does not have control over the proposed hotel’s height and massing because of the valid 2008 permit, but its approval is required for any changes to the design approved by Buildings in 2008. (read more…)

Residential and retail building to replace parking lot on Wooster Street. Landmarks approved the construction of a modern eight-story- plus-penthouse glass building within the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District, replacing a surface parking lot on the southwest corner of Wooster and Grand Streets. Designed by Henry Smith-Miller of Smith-Miller + Hawkinson, the building will be eight stories along Grand Street, clad by a glass curtain wall, and will wrap around the intersection with Wooster Street. The building will step down to a one-story extension along Wooster Street, containing retail space and a parking garage entrance.

Adjacent neighbors and Community Board 2 opposed the project, arguing that its scale would impinge on light and air to the small neighboring buildings along Wooster Street. At its initial hearing, several commissioners noted their support of the scale, massing and materials, but suggested that more layering be incorporated into the design. A revised design was submitted that slightly reduced the height and replaced the masonry along the Wooster Street facade with a glass screen wall. (read more…)