June 2005, Volume 2 Number 6

2005 Summer Preservation Panel series explores the architectural survivors of New York’s earliest days

Join HDC for our 2005 Summer Preservation Panel series entitled Ancient New York, a fascinating investigation of the architectural riches remaining from New York City’s “ancient” history. On June 1st, Catherine McNeur, PhD candidate in Yale’s Department of History, will present John McComb Jr.: Architect of the Federalists. Ms. McNeur will discuss the social implications of McComb’s architecture with regards to early American politics. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is co-sponsoring our lecture on June 8th when preservationist Susan DeVries will discuss Modest Landmarks: the Federal Row Houses of Manhattan in a chronicle of her ongoing investigation and preservation of this subset of Manhattan architecture. Finally, Chris Riccardi, PhD, will discuss the history of Dutch-American farmhouses on June 15th. Dr. Riccardi will discuss the process of using surviving farmhouses and contemporaneous historical documents to construct a picture of early Dutch-American history in The Disappearing Dutch in Brooklyn, co-sponsored by the Historic House Trust of New York City.
The three evening lectures will take place at 6:00pm at the Bank Street Theater in the West Village (155 Bank Street between Washington and West Streets). Each lecture is $5, payable at the door, free to Friends of HDC and members of GVSHP and HHT. Reservations are required due to limited space: RSVP at 212.614.9107 or by e-mail at hdc@hdc.org. For more information, click here.

An invigorating start to your day: join mayoral candidates for preservation talk and breakfast

Ever wish you could talk preservation politics and enjoy a danish at the same time? Landmark West!, in cooperation with HDC, the New York Landmarks Conservancy and the Municipal Art Society, invites you to a breakfast series where mayoral candidates will address your preservation concerns. Democratic candidates Anthony D. Weiner (June 1st), Fernando Ferrer (June 8th), Gifford Miller (June 15th) and C. Virginia Fields (June 22nd) will speak on preservation questions and respond to audience questions on four consecutive Wednesday mornings.

All breakfasts take place at O’Neal’s Restaurant, 49 West 64th Street, between 8:00am-9:30am. Tickets are $10 for each breakfast or $25 for the series. Reservations are required: RSVP to Landmark West! by phone at 212.496.8100 or e-mail at landmarkwest@landmarkwest.org.

Recent designations by the Landmarks Preservation Commission

We’re pleased to report that a number of New York’s significant buildings have been designated as individual landmarks by the LPC in recent months. While some faced opposition from their owners, the Commission overwhelmingly voted to preserve these important buildings. These designations, which fall in three of the five boroughs, include buildings of varying types and styles from Morris Lapidus’ New York masterpiece, the Summit Hotel, to the Second Empire style James L. Bedell House on Staten Island. In addition to these two, since January the Commission has designated the Keuffel & Esser building at 127 Fulton Street (in the soon-to-be designated Fulton-Nassau NR District), the Germania Bank Building at 190 Bowery, both in Manhattan, and the Ralph Bunche House at 115-24 Grosvenor Road in Queens. We commend the Landmarks Preservation Commission for taking action and adding these buildings to New York City’s list of protected landmarks.

Unfortunately, Morris Lapidus’ Crawford Clothes Store at 36 East 14th Street was denied designation due to egregious alterations made by the owner before the LPC could act, including the removal of the building’s distinctive slanted glass tower. The loss of such a visible and significant modern building was crushing, and at the designation hearing, the Landmarks Commissioners discussed revisiting the agency’s policies regarding pre-consideration notification in order to better protect our city’s not-yet-designated landmarks. This is a fraught but very important issue and we welcome its consideration and examination.

Revised Whitney design spares contributing brownstone and is approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission

Looks like Renzo Piano won’t be jumping in the river. On Tuesday, May 24th, the LPC voted to unanimously approve his revised expansion plan for the Whitney Museum. The Whitney will no longer be demolishing two brownstones in the Upper East Side Historic District. This element of the design was a large bone of contention among the Commissioners. The approved plan demolishes one "no style" brownstone and the rear of the adjacent brownstone, decreasing the originally proposed new entrance to the museum from 31 to 17 feet. A nine-story tower connected to the Breuer building by glass walkways will still rise up behind the row of brownstones. To read HDC’s testimony on the originally proposed expansion, click here.

Annual Preservation Party and Grassroots Awards a huge success

Thanks to everyone who attended our recent 15th Annual Preservation Party featuring the 6th Annual Grassroots Preservation Awards. Over 200 people joined us to celebrate our nine honorees, who have dedicated so much time and effort to the preservation of their communities. At the awards ceremony, Our “Friend in High Places” awardee Council Member Tony Avella (District 19, Queens) read a proclamation from the Office of the Mayor which proclaimed May 12, 2005 Historic Districts Council Day.

Become a Friend of the Historic Districts Council

HDC’s Friends and supporters make all our programs possible. If you’re not one already, please take this opportunity to become a Friend of HDC and receive benefits such as free events, special admission offers, access to technical and moral support and current news about preservation issues. Learn more about the benefits of being a Friend and join our mailing list to receive an information packet in the mail.

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The Advocate for New York City’s Historic Neighborhoods
232 East 11th Street New York NY 10003
tel: 212-614-9107 fax: 212-614-9127 email: hdc@hdc.org