Houses on West 217th Street from the proposed historic district. Image Credit: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
First historic district in Inwood preserves 15 buildings. On December 11, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to designate the Park Terrace West – West 217th Street Historic District. The historic district covers 15 houses along Park Terrace West and West 217th Street in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. For CityLand’s prior coverage of this historic district, click here.
In a press release, Chair Sarah Carroll stated “I am delighted the Commission has designated the Park Terrace West-West 217th Street Historic District. This district has a unique history in the development of Inwood and a very special character that is reflected in its picturesque houses and landscaped topography.”
Park Terrace West is the first designated historic district for Inwood. The designation comes only a few months after the Inwood Rezoning Plan was approved by City Council this past August. In response to the rezoning, some Inwood residents and community activists pushed for landmark and historic district designation to protect existing buildings from future demolition.
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer stated “Historic districts are one of our best tools to preserve the heritage of neighborhoods built decades or even centuries ago, and the Park Terrace West – West 217th Street Historic District is a great example of that. These fifteen buildings, with their charming Craftsman-style details, form a matched set in a style rarely seen in the rest of the borough.” Borough President Brewer also congratulated Inwood residents and advocates for their work in pushing for a designation.
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez stated, “It is vital we recognize the remarkable structural designs that our City has to offer and continue preserving their historical significance.”
David Thom, the spokesperson for the Park Terrace North Block Association, stated that “These much-loved buildings are an intrinsic part of the neighborhood’s unique character in spring, summer, winter, and fall. We are grateful for this designation and hope that expansion and additional districts will be possible in the near future.” Thom was one of many speakers who asked Landmarks to consider other buildings and locations within the neighborhood for designation at the public hearing on November 20, 2018. For CityLand’s coverage of the public hearing, click here.
At the designation hearing on December 11, 2018, Chair Carroll read a letter from Congressmember Adriano Espaillat, who wrote in support of the designation. In the letter, Congressmember Espaillat stated that Inwood “deserves more recognition and respect” and encouraged Landmarks to consider the art deco buildings throughout the neighborhood for designation.
Chair Carroll stated in response to the calls for further designations that as part of the Inwood Rezoning earlier this year, Landmarks surveyed the neighborhood to identify potential future landmarks. The survey provides Landmarks with the “full numbers” of what buildings Landmarks can and should pursue for future designation going forward. Chair Carroll concluded by saying that she looked forward to continuing to work with the Inwood community.
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw Fellow and a New York Law School Graduate, Class of 2018.)