Design considered for destroyed East Side brownstone

Local residents oppose proposed design. On September 18, 2007, Landmarks held a public hearing on the controversial proposal from developer Janna Bulluck to construct a modern five-story townhouse at 34 East 62nd Street in the Upper East Side Historic District to replace the 1882 townhouse destroyed by a gas explosion in 2006.

Located between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue, the original brownstone once served as headquarters for “The Room,” an upper-class club that later served … <Read More>


Hearing held on Flatbush school designation

EDC intends to transfer property to non-profit trade group. On September 18, 2007, Landmarks heard testimony on the possible designation of the former Public School 90 building in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Architect John Y. Culyer, also responsible for the nearby Flatbush Town Hall, a City landmark, designed P.S. 90 in 1878, before Flatbush assimilated into the city of Brooklyn. P.S. 90 built additions to the school in 1886 and 1906. Chair Robert B. Tierney stated that … <Read More>


New buildings for seminary approved

Seminary will demolish 1960s Sherrill Hall to make way for 7-story bldg. On September 18, 2007, Landmarks approved the General Theological Seminary’s plan to construct a seven-story mixed-use building and a five-story administrative building on its campus within the Chelsea Historic District.

The Seminary’s 17-building walled-in campus, located between Ninth and Tenth Avenues from West 20th to West 21st Streets, consists mostly of 19th century Gothic-style buildings. Under the plan, the Seminary will demolish Sherrill … <Read More>


Planning approves 57-story Fifth Ave. bldg.

Proposed 57-story hotel and condominium tower at 400 Fifth Avenue. Image: Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects.

Transfer of floor area from landmarked Tiffany Building facilitates construction. On September 19, 2007, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the special permits and text amendment needed for 400 Fifth Realty LLC to build a 57-story mixed-use building along Fifth Avenue, between West 36th and West 37th Streets. The proposed mixed-use building would rise to a height of … <Read More>


Proposal for Trader Joe’s on Atlantic Ave. approved

South Brooklyn Savings Bank building at 130 Court St. Photo: Sam Porter.

Opponents challenged 60-foot height. On September 17, 2007, the Planning Commission approved the special permit application of Two Trees Management Co. LLC, facilitating its controversial plan to build a six-story, 60-foot tall building adjacent to the South Brooklyn Savings Bank, a 1922 building located at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street within the Cobble Hill Historic District. Overall, the development would include 31,512 sq.ft. … <Read More>


Council modifies controversial Westside plan

Planning Commission approves modifications. On September 17, 2007, the City Council approved, with modifications, the plan to rezone 51 blocks of the Upper West Side. Two days later, the Planning Commission gave its final approval to the plan, finding no objections to the Council’s modifications.

The plan, the result of a two-year collaborative effort between City Planning, HPD, Landmarks, the Manhattan Borough President and local residents, sought to address concerns over out-of-character construction in the … <Read More>