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Author: Joey Rodriguez
Fighting the City’s SoHo/NoHo Rezoning Plan – By The Numbers
A newly-released study by Village Preservation shows that the City’s SoHo/NoHo Rezoning Plan will make both of these neighborhoods richer, whiter, and more expensive to live in than they are now, and likely create significantly less affordable housing than projected, potentially destroying more affordable housing than it creates. In the fall of 2020, the de Blasio […]
Latest Landmarks Applications
Village Preservation provides an ongoing record of all applications for changes to landmarked properties in our neighborhoods (Greenwich Village, NoHo, Gansevoort Market, the South Village, and the East Village) that require a public hearing before they can be approved. These proposals range from minor alterations to large additions, demolition, and new construction on landmarked sites. […]
Study: City’s Proposed SoHo/NoHo Upzoning Would Make Neighborhoods Richer, Whiter, and More Expensive
Plan would likely only create 1/5 of projected Affordable Housing, push out Asian American and lower income residents would likely destroy more Affordable Housing than it creates.
Spring Continuing Ed Classes Open to General Public
Village Preservations’ highly acclaimed continuing education classes are available online this May, and we are excited to now offer the course at a highly discounted rate to people not acquiring the continuing education credits.
Ten Years ‘Off The Grid’
A lot can happen in ten years — pop culture references grow old, new technology emerges, and the stories we tell continue to evolve. Village Preservation’s blog Off The Grid celebrates a momentous milestone today, thanks in part to all who have contributed to it over the years and our amazing supporters who continue to […]
Village Awards 2021 Nominations Now Open!
Nominate your favorite local business, institution, community group, restoration/renovation, or hero!
The Birth of the NAACP, and Their Deep Roots in Greenwich Village
For over 100 years, the NAACP has been fighting to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons, and to eliminate race-based discrimination. Though their headquarters is now located in Baltimore, Maryland, the organization called our neighborhood home for decades, and held its first public meeting here as well. Founded […]
“Save The Village” Face Masks — Support Your Health, Your Community, and Preservation
Now for sale on our website — Village Preservation’s “Save The Village” face coverings, featuring this iconic 1960 image by Fred W. McDarrah of the demolition of a Greenwich Village artist’s studio covered with the “Save The Village” message. A purchase not only allows you to keep yourself and friends and neighbors safe. It also supports Village Preservation’s […]
Plan for 14-16 Fifth Avenue Demolition and Tower Replacement Returns; Hearing Feb. 16
The plan to demolish the 172 year old historic former townhouses at 14-16 Fifth Avenue in the Greenwich Village Historic District, and replace them with a high-rise tower, has returned and will be heard before Community Board 2’s Landmarks Committee on Tuesday, February 16 at 6:30pm. You can register for the Zoom meeting here (be sure to click on the […]
Who’s That Rapping At My Chamber Door? Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” Takes Flight in Greenwich Village
Almost 200 years after it was first published, Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven still terrifies and delights. The poem, about a forlorn lover tormented by a mysterious bird as he slowly descends into madness, permeated both critical circles and the popular consciousness, proving that the macabre could and should share a space with literary fiction […]
The Village Presbyterian Church Helps Gives Birth to an Off-Broadway Spanish Revolution
Our neighborhoods are filled with incredibly rich stories, each door and window a portal into the hidden history of New York City. It is always a surprise to find that, when you dig even deeper, you can find amazing stories hidden in nooks and corners. The stately Village Presbyterian Church once located at 141-145 West […]
After 2 1/2 Year Campaign, City Agrees to Consider 70 Fifth Avenue, South of Union Square, For Landmark Designation
Building Has Tremendous Historic Significance, and Site Is Vulnerable to Supertall Development; Push for Broader Landmarks Protections for Area Continues We are pleased to report that in a surprise move, yesterday the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to calendar, or begin the process of formally considering for landmark designation, 70 Fifth Avenue (2-6 West 13th Street), a site […]
New Oral History with Michael Levine Explores Roots of Greenwich Village Historic District, SoHo, Stonewall Riots, and More
We’ve just added our first new oral history of 2021. Michael E. Levine is an urban planner who worked as the NYC Department of City Planning’s Community Board #2 liaison beginning in the 1960s, and was intimately involved in the landmark designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District as well as pioneering zoning and landmark designations for […]
Explore More Local Small Businesses With Big History!
Village Preservation is expanding our “Small Business/Big History” signage project with four new additions in the West and South Village — Love Child Yoga, Cho’s Grocery, Three Lives Bookstore, and Julius’ Bar. Want to know what’s so unique about Horatio Street? What paint-throwing artist got his start on Carmine Street? Why Three Lives’ storefront may be even more famous for art than literature? And why a […]
Saving 50 West 13th Street, Home of the 13th Street Repertory Theatre
Following the death late last year of Edith O’Hara, the founder of the 13th Street Repertory Theatre, Village Preservation urged the Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider landmark designation of 50 West 13th Street, the more than 170 year old rowhouse which has housed the theater since its founding. The 3 1/2 story house retains distinctive and unusual Greek Revival architectural […]
David Bowie, A Fellow Villager
Born David Robert Jones on January 8th, 1947, the cultural and rock icon David Bowie navigated his way through music, theater, and film like a chameleon. Known for his outlandish though purposeful alter egos, he changed the way audiences viewed art, creating performance pieces, backstories, and personalities that drove his music to become more than […]
Georges Clemenceau, the Dreyfus Affair, and the fight against Anti-Semitism
On December 22, 1894, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a young French artillery officer of Alsatian and Jewish descent, was court-martialed, convicted of treason, and sentenced to life in prison at the notorious Devil’s Island prison for allegedly sharing military secrets with the German Embassy in Paris. Two years later, an investigation into the already closed case […]
Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary – A Strong Start
Village Preservation is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, and in honor of this momentous milestone, we have created an interactive storymap that charts the historic journey of our organization. During that span, we have worked tirelessly to preserve our neighborhoods — no easy feat — and despite being a “child” of the 1980s, our […]
New Proposal for Construction Next Door Threatens Merchant’s House Museum
A new application filed with the Landmarks Preservation Commission for construction on the lot adjacent to the Merchants House Museum at 27 East 4th Street once again threatens the safety and integrity of one of New York’s first landmarks, a nationally-recognized piece of American history, and a vital and irreplaceable public educational and cultural resource. […]
The New-York Historical Society Finds Its First Home in the East Village
In 1804, New York City had already celebrated 190 years since its founding. Comparatively, the United States was only 28 years young. In order to honor the already rich history of the city, John Pintard, then the secretary of the American Academy of Fine Arts, drew up plans for an institution that would include a […]
Beyond the Village and Back: The Brotherhood Synagogue, 28 Gramercy Park South
For more than 70 years, The Brotherhood Synagogue, located at 28 Gramercy Park South, has sought to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of its members in a welcoming, progressive community, while working to make religious brotherhood a living reality.
#SouthOfUnionSquare Tour — Libraries and The Formation of the NYPL
In 1754, there was no library in New York. Can you believe it? Today we are taking a wonderful journey through our neighborhoods to trace the beginnings of the New York Public Library which came to light through several important institutions, philanthropists, and buildings. With the help of our new Virtual Village map and its […]
Horror Takes The Village! The Movies and Monsters That Roam The Streets of Our Neighborhoods
Some of the most iconic films in history have used New York City as its backdrop. Sweeping dramas, gut-busting comedies, and action/adventure movies have swung through the streets dozens of times (sometimes destroying the city in the process). Because horror films often focus on the monster or an evil entity itself, the location (other than […]
Victory!: 3 St. Marks Place Air Rights Transfer Defeated
We are thrilled to report that today the City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee voted down the application by a developer seeking to transfer air rights from the landmarked house at 4 St. Marks Place to 3 St. Marks Place (at 3rd Avenue), which would have increased by 20% the size of a planned office tower there. This more […]
400 Years of Hispanic History in Our Neighborhoods
Over 2.4 million New Yorkers, or nearly one-third of its population, identify as Hispanic or Latino, including myself. National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) is one of many occasions that allows us to reflect on the impact that Hispanic and Latino residents and revolutionaries have had on our neighborhoods for over 400 years. Juan […]
Welcome to the New Village Preservation Website
Our new website, VillagePreservation.org, has all the information and resources you expect from our old website, and more, but in a simpler, clearer, easier to use format, allowing you to get the latest news, do in-depth research, find out about events and programs, and easily support our work or get more involved. Whether you want a quick […]
Hearing for St. Marks Office Tower Air Rights Transfer This Thursday
The final public hearing on the application to allow an air rights transfer to increase the allowable size of a planned office tower at 3 St. Mark’s Place (3rd Avenue) by 20% will take place this Thursday, September 24th at 10 am before the City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee in Virtual Room 3. Click here for information on testifying […]
Beyond the Village and Back: Bowne House in Flushing, Queens — Birthplace of Religious Freedom in America
One of New York’s most historic but least known landmarks is the Bowne House, built ca. 1661 at 37-01 Bowne Street in Flushing, Queens. The two-and-a-half story wood house is the oldest building in the Borough of Queens and one of the oldest in New York City.
Perry Street and the Battle of Lake Erie
Quiet, reserved Perry Street has been home to some very not-quiet and reserved types over the years, including Frank Serpico, Margaret Mead, James Agee, Margaret Sanger, and Dawn Powell. Appropriately enough, the street’s namesake was also someone who was not afraid to make a little noise and shake things up either. And he did a […]
Village Preservation’s New 2019-2020 Annual Report Available
Our latest Annual Report is available, looking back at the organization’s work from the end of last summer to now. It’s been a tumultuous year, with adjustments made, events canceled, battles fought and victories won. None of it would be possible without the ongoing support we receive from our members, which allows us to get through the […]
Make Sure Our Voices Are Heard: Census+Vote
Responding to the census and participating in the upcoming national elections are critical to ensuring our communities are represented, our voices heard, and our democracy maintained. However, doing each is a little different this time around. If you haven’t already, please fill out the 2020 Census, and make a plan for voting in November, including arranging […]
The Modern Roller Skate, and Men Fighting for Women’s Suffrage — Introduced at the Same East Village Locale
The East Village is renowned as a place of great cultural innovation over the years. But two of the least well-known great leaps forward with roots in the neighborhood — which amazingly are rooted in the same building which still stands today — are the invention of the modern roller skate, and the beginning of […]
Join Us: Support the ‘Save Our Storefronts’ Campaign and Legislation for Small Business Relief
The plight of local small businesses and non-profit institutions right now is devastating. Forced to close or limit access due to the pandemic, many have lost income and shut down permanently. Storefronts are emptying, harming communities, neighbors, and property owners. Village Preservation is working with a coalition of local merchants, non-profits, elected officials, and property owners to […]
New Addition to Our Preservation History Archive Sheds Light on Charlton King VanDam Historic District on Its Anniversary
Fifty-four years ago this week, the Charlton King VanDam Historic District was designated, only the fourth historic district ever designated in New York City and the first in Greenwich Village, with one of the oldest intact sets of buildings in New York City and the city’s highest concentration of Federal 1790-1835) and Greek Revival (1830-1850) houses. Landmark […]
Explore Our 19th Amendment Centennial StoryMap
August 18th is the hundredth anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which prohibited discrimination in voting in the United States based upon sex. It was the culmination of generations of effort by dedicated women and men, many of whom lived, worked, wrote, organized, protested, marched, and lobbied in Greenwich Village, the East Village, […]
The Woman On The White Horse: Inez Milholland and the March for Suffrage
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution was adopted on August 18, 1920, affirming that “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” The adoption was the culmination of decades of work by suffragists to eliminate […]
Director Nicholas Ray Bookends His Career in Greenwich Village
Director Nicholas Ray (August 7th, 1911-June 16, 1979) most noted for his celebrated 1955 film Rebel Without A Cause and a string of celebrated and influential (if not always commercially successful) films, was born in Galesville, Wisconsin as Raymond Nicholas Kienzle, Jr. Though not from Greenwich Village, his professional career both began and ended here, […]