43-story Art Deco skyscraper designated

275 Madison Ave. Image: LPC.

1931 building among Texas architect’s diverse body of works. Landmarks voted unanimously to designate 275 Madison Avenue as an individual City landmark on January 13, 2009. The 43-story tower was designed by architect Kenneth Franzheim for Houston banker Jesse H. Jones. Though he made his fortune in banking and real estate development, Jones also served as Chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and as Secretary of Commerce under President Franklin … <Read More>


Designation hearing held on Chelsea rowhouses

Lamartine Place/West 29th Street. Photo: Lacy J. Redwine

Proposed district among the few documented underground railroad stops in New York City. On January 13, 2009, Landmarks heard testimony on the potential designation of Lamartine Place as a historic district. Lamartine Place is comprised of 12 buildings at 333 through 359 West 29th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in Manhattan. Built in the 1840s, the Greek Revival rowhouses were commissioned by Cyrus Mason, a New … <Read More>


Widespread support for proposed Queens district

Ridgewood North Historic District. Image: LPC.

Early 20th-century development in Ridgewood served as home to German community. On December 16, 2008, Landmarks held a hearing on the potential designation of a historic district in Ridgewood, Queens. The district would encompass 91 buildings built between 1908 and 1911 by developer Gustave Mathews and local architect Louis Allmendinger. Constructed by local craftsmen, the Renaissance and Romanesque Revival four-story apartment buildings, which characterize the district, feature yellow brick … <Read More>


Designation of P.S. 64 upheld

P.S. 64’s landmark designation upheld. See story on page 175. Image: LPC

Court upheld designation even though developer had valid permit to alter facade. 9th & 10th Street LLC owned 605 East 9th Street in Manhattan, the former Public School 64. After the owner received a permit from Buildings to alter the facade, Landmarks designated the site as an individual landmark. In reaching its decision, Landmarks found that P.S. 64 was of special architectural, historical, … <Read More>


NYU towers landmarked

University Village. Image: LPC.

NYU’s development plans for remaining portion of the site unaddressed. On November 18, 2008, Landmarks voted to collectively designate University Village, also known as the Silver Towers, as an individual City landmark. Designed by James Freed and I.M. Pei, of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects LLP, the landmark consists of a central plaza and three 30-story towers with concrete facades and recessed windows in a “brutalist” style influenced by le … <Read More>


Mixed response to Seaport development proposal

Height and massing foremost among Commission’s concerns. On November 18, 2008, Landmarks held a hearing on the redevelopment of Pier 17 to provide developer General Growth Properties (GGP) an opportunity to respond to public testimony recorded during Landmarks’ October 21st meeting. At the previous meeting, GGP proposed to demolish the existing mall on the pier, relocate the Tin Building, former home of the Fulton Fish Market, and construct several retail buildings and a hotel. GGP … <Read More>