GVSHP has previously reported with great concern about a planned 52-unit, 23-story, 308 ft. tall development at 110 University Place, the site of the now-shuttered Bowlmor Lanes. GVSHP has repeatedly reached out to the developer, Billy Macklowe, to urge him to build a contextual development at this site, and have enlisted the support of local elected officials to do the same.
Several local elected officials recently met with Mr. Macklowe, including City Councilmember Rosie Mendez and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, and unfortunately the news is not good. Mr. Macklowe intends to move ahead with his planned 300+ ft. tall development at this site, which will take the form of a short base with retail uses coming out to the streetwall, and a very tall, narrow, residential tower rising above it. At approximately 308 feet in height, this will be one of the tallest, if not the tallest, buildings in the Village. Apparently Mr. Macklowe has told elected officials that the building will be limestone rather than glass or steel.
This is extremely disappointing news, and sadly reflects the lack of landmark protections for much of the University Place corridor, and the current zoning, which allows towers of this size if a developer assembles a large enough site, as has been done in this case. While no timetable has been given for the development, demolition permits have recently been filed for the site.
In response, GVSHP met with local leaders and elected officials and their representatives last week to discuss strategies to prevent further such developments from taking place in this poorly-protected area. We are working with these leaders and elected officials to formulate proposals for zoning changes and landmark designations which would help protect the character of this area, preserve historic buildings, and prevent out-of-scale new development. If you are particularly concerned about this issue, please let us know by responding to this e-mail, and let us know if you live in the immediate area, and where.
