LPC Says No to Crinkled Glass Topper for 827-831 Broadway

We are pleased to report that on Tuesday the Landmarks Preservation Commission did not approve a proposal for a 4-story crinkled glass addition atop 827-831 Broadway (12th/13th Streets), the 1866 lofts which once housed Willem de Kooning and many other notable artists, which GVSHP saved from the wrecking ball in 2017. GVSHP and our allies urged the Commission not to approve the plan, which we felt was too overwhelming in size and visibility, and too discordant in its design. The Commission’s comments largely mirrored those concerns. Thank you to all who showed up for the hearing, especially representatives of Councilmember Carlina Rivera and State Senators Liz Kruger and Brad Hoylman, and Community Board #2. Read coverage here and here, and see images here.

The applicant will now have to return with a revised proposal based upon the Commissioners feedback, which was to make the proposed addition shorter and/or to push it back further, and to make the proposed design “calmer” and more harmonious with the architecture of the existing building. An applicant is entitled to a “minimally visible” addition atop a landmarked building such as this, and at the discretion of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, can secure approval for a larger one, if deemed “appropriate.” We felt this design did not meet that standard, and are glad that the LPC seemed to (at least somewhat) agree. 

For more information on this application or to sign up for alerts about it, click here.