Two years ago, the Landmarks Preservation Commission floated the idea of clearing its backlog of items from before 2010 by simply de-calendaring all of them. That was not well-received, to put it lightly. So, they devised a series of steps to actually address those 95 items. That process nearly came to an end today, with the designation of 10 new city landmarks.
Last Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission heard a proposal to expand the prominent single-family house at 615 Eastern Parkway, in Crown Heights. While commissioners weren’t wholly against expanding the structure on one of New York City’s most beautiful boulevards, they also didn’t approve the work.
Home design company Restoration Hardware is trying to expand, with a hotel under development at 55 Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. That plan, however, needs some work as the Landmarks Preservation Commission did not grant a certificate of appropriateness on Tuesday.
What some consider the largest cathedral in the world is one step closer to being designated a New York City landmark. On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the designation of the Cathedral Church of St. John Divine, after the property was calendared in July.
Boston Properties is conducting a $150 million renovation on the six-story, 200,000-square-foot commercial building at 159 East 53rd Street, in Midtown East. The structure, known as the base component of the 59-story former Citigroup Center at 601 Lexington Avenue, will receive a redesigned façade with larger windows and a new private lobby and entrance. The ground-floor and below-grade retail spaces will also see renovations, as well as the installation of a food hall and dining area, Crain’s reported. A renovation to the public plaza beneath 601 Lexington is also in store. Since the complex was designated an individual landmark on Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission must approve any exterior alterations. The building is currently vacant.
