Morris Adjmi on Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Sustainable Architecture

Morris Adjmi knew from an early age that architecture would be his calling. At age five, he designed his first masterpiece: a pyramid of coffee tables and chairs covered with blankets. Just as his mother arrived for the unveiling, the pyramid fell to the floor and injured young Morris, striking him above the eye. Despite the initial setback, he was hooked. A native of New Orleans, he found an abundance of architecture, especially in the … <Read More>


Demolition of Hudson St. building faces opposition

Residents oppose demolition of this building at 501 Hudson Street. Photo: Kristin Daggan.

Area residents oppose size and design of Morris Adjmi-designed mixed-use building. On July 15, 2008, Landmarks heard testimony on a proposal to demolish a two-story structure and build a six-story plus penthouse at 501 Hudson Street at the corner of Christopher Street in the Greenwich Village Historic District. Attorney Valerie Campbell of Kramer Levin, representing the owners, Hudson Equities Ltd., explained that … <Read More>


Hotel approved for West Village

Morris Adjmi and Landmarks agree on hotel design. On March 25, 2008, Landmarks voted to approve an application by 145 Perry Fee Owners LLC to build a six-story hotel, with penthouse, in the Greenwich Village Historic District. Under the application, the owners will demolish a two-story, 1938 stucco building to make room for the hotel.

The application originally proposed a seven-story hotel, with penthouse. At the initial public hearing on February 12th, Manhattan Community Board … <Read More>


Landmarks approves 14- story tower on 21st Street

Plans for glass tower win approval after modifications. On January 15, 2008, Landmarks granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to A&R Development to construct a new 14- story building at 16 West 21st Street in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. The Morris Adjmi-designed tower will replace a two-story parking garage and will feature sandblasted brick blocks to echo the area’s characteristic light stone brick buildings. A similar building was proposed for West 18th Street in 2005, … <Read More>


Replacement of 1867 stable proposed

Former stable will remain in Chelsea. Photo: Kevin E. Schultz.

Landmarks appears to disfavor demolition of stable for modern apartment in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. Anthony Schaeffer, the owner of 16 West 18th Street, applied for a permit to demolish a two-story 1867-built stable on the site in order to construct a modern apartment building in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District.

At the Landmarks hearing, Schaeffer’s architect, Morris Adjmi, testified that the new narrow … <Read More>


New fifteen-story residential building for Ladies’Mile

Site in Ladies’ Mile Historic District currently vacant. 27 West 19th Street, LLC applied for a permit to build a 15-story stone and brick residential building on a vacant lot currently used for surface parking located at 27 West 19th Street in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. At the April 5, 2005 public hearing, Morris Adjmi, the architect, presented a design, which had been modified slightly to address Landmarks’ concerns at the initial February 22, … <Read More>