Two proposals for oversized and out-of-context new developments in landmarked districts in our neighborhoods will go before the Landmarks Preservation Commission next Tuesday — 182-86 Spring Street in the Sullivan Thompson Historic District and 15 Greenwich Avenue (Christopher/10th Streets) in the Greenwich Village Historic District. Both designs were rejected by the local community board, and 15 Greenwich Avenue is appearing before the Commission for a second time after changes.

New construction is allowed in historic districts on sites that do not contain historically or architecturally significant buildings. However, the design of new buildings must be deemed “appropriate” for the context of their historic district, and these two designs (view here and here) fall well short of that mark. Both are attempts by developers to squeeze the largest new construction they can get away with onto these sites, compromising the integrity of their surroundings.

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