Beaver Building gets new 16th-story addition and significant renovations. Richard Fownes of Cocoa Partners, LP gained approval to renovate the Beaver Building, an individual landmark that housed the N.Y. Cocoa Exchange from 1931-1972. Located on a narrow lot at the junction of Beaver and Pearl Streets, the Beaver Building is flatiron- shaped, steel-framed and has a tripartite design, prevalent in early New York skyscrapers, with three sections: a vertically-aligned stone base, a horizontal-patterned brick center and an ornate terracotta top. Constructed in 1903, the building was designated a landmark in 1996.

As part of the planned conversion to housing, the owner applied to remove the existing metal infill; create an entrance on Pearl Street; add entrance canopies, new lighting and sconces with a building motif; and construct a stucco rooftop addition to contain a gym. The addition would be partially visible from Pearl, Beaver, Hanover and Water Streets. (read more…)