Related Companies to redevelop Kingsbridge Armory

Historic armory to become retail center, complete with movie theaters and restaurants. On April 21, 2008, the City selected Related Companies to convert the Kingsbridge Armory, a City landmark located on the corner of 195th Street and Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, into a $310 million shopping center. The center will include a large department store, up to 35 smaller shops, a movie theater, and restaurants.

The Armory features two battlement towers, Romanesque arches, and … <Read More>


MTA selects Tishman’s billion dollar bid for Hudson Yards

Proposal would create 13 million sq.ft. of developable space. On March 26, 2008, the MTA Board selected Tishman Speyer’s proposal to develop the western and eastern portions of the John D. Caemmerer Rail Yard, also known as Hudson Yards. At $1.004 billion, Tishman outbid four competing real estate developers for the right to transform the 26-acre site despite proposing the smallest number of residential units and the least amount of open space.

Tishman’s proposal, designed … <Read More>


125th Street rezoning moves forward

Angry local opposition jeered and escorted out by security. After a public review that included over 170 meetings with local residents, the Planning Commission voted to approve the Department of City Planning’s proposal to rezone the 125th Street corridor, which includes 124th and 126th Street.

Once a prestigious epicenter of African American culture, the 125th Street corridor has suffered from a lack of public and private investment since the 1960s. In recent years, however, renewed … <Read More>


Domino Sugar Factory condos spark controversy

Landmarks heard testimony regarding a mixed-use development plan for the former Domino Sugar Factory site. Image: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP.

Preservation and housing advocates squared off over development plan. On February 5, 2008, Landmarks held a public hearing regarding alterations and additions to the Domino Sugar Refinery complex, located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

In 2007, the City designated three buildings at the complex. 4 CityLand 141 (Oct. 15, 2007). During … <Read More>


Testimony heard on Solow East Side project

Council Member Daniel Garodnick concerned over Solow project’s height and density. On February 25, 2008, two City Council subcommittees held a joint public hearing regarding Solow Properties’ plan to construct a mixed-use development at the former Con Edison site, located along First Avenue between East 38th and 41st Streets. The subcommittees also heard testimony regarding Manhattan Community Board 6’s 197-a plan, which covers the same area.

The Planning Commission significantly modified both plans on January … <Read More>


Court dismisses challenge to Atlantic Yards

Residents failed to show ESDC acted without rational basis. Brooklyn residents sued the Empire State Development Corporation, the MTA and the State Public Authorities Control Board, arguing that the agencies wrongfully approved the $4 billion project to redevelop the Atlantic Terminal area. The project would replace residential and commercial structures with a mixed-use development that would include an 18,000-seat arena designed by Frank Gehry for the Nets professional basketball team, a 180-room hotel, 16 high-rise … <Read More>