14-16 Fifth Avenue Past Campaign Updates

Updates on Safety and Stability at Landmarked Sites: 10-14 Fifth Avenue and 50-52 Second Avenue/40-42 East 3rd Street

(l.) Newly installed bracing for 12 Fifth Avenue at 14 Fifth Avenue constituting site; (r.) 10, 12, 14, and 20 Fifth Avenue (l. to r.)

Village Preservation continues to press City agencies on their flawed oversight of landmarked properties to help ensure their safety and integrity are maintained. 

At 14 Fifth Avenue, City-approved work (opposed by Village Preservation) in February resulted in damage to neighboring 12 Fifth Avenue and severe damage to 10 Fifth Avenue, causing its evacuation (it remains evacuated today). We have been pressing the City for information and to hold responsible parties accountable. Bracing has been installed for 12 Fifth Avenue to stabilize the building on what was to be the construction site for a 213-ft.-tall tower at 14 Fifth Avenue, and according to City officials a plan has been submitted for work to stabilize and restore 10 Fifth Avenue (though full details have not yet been made public). We have been told that the investigation into the cause of the damage is ongoing, but that the required monitoring of the site and adjacent buildings for movement during construction to detect and prevent problems had indicated that allowable thresholds had been breached. But that information was not reported to the City. The City has so far refused to say who was responsible for this failure and who will be held accountable. We continue to press for information and full accountability.

50-52 Second Ave. (l.) and adjacent construction site

At 50-52 Second Avenue/40-42 East 3rd Street in the East Village, Village Preservation has been working with the owner of this landmarked 1899 Renaissance Revival-style tenement, designed by the prominent firm of Schneider & Herter, to ensure the safety of this residential property in the face of potentially dangerous work and reckless neglect at an adjacent development site. The building’s owner has had to fight tirelessly to prevent the City from allowing work next door that experts say would dangerously undermine his building, and to prevent the adjacent construction site from being left open to vandals and criminals who then have access to his building and its residents. We have been working with the owner to try to get City agencies to enforce the law and keep this site safe, and to shine a light on the failure of proper oversight by the City.

In the wake of 50-52 Second Avenue owner’s Herculean efforts to protect his building, the developer of the adjacent property has ceased construction and is seeking to sell the property, granting the owner a reprieve for now. We’ll continue to work to try to help ensure the safety of this building. Read more here for further details.

August 9, 2023

Preservation Organizations from Across New York Demand the City Take Action to Prevent Demolitions of Historic Buildings

We’ve seen a disturbing, growing, and preventable rash of landmarked buildings being endangered or demolished on the city’s watch, with the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission and Department of Buildings failing to protect these historic structures as the law requires. Lives, homes, and history are being destroyed again and again as the city does too little or nothing at all. Recent damage to the landmarked 10 Fifth Avenue from city-approved work (the ultimate fate of which is still to be determined), the destruction of 14 Gay Street, and the partial demolition of 351-55 West 14th Street/44-54 Ninth Avenue, are part of a broader citywide trend.

Village Preservation has been calling for the city to take action and reform its failing system of oversight to ensure more such tragedies don’t occur. Last week we and citywide and neighborhood preservation organizations also jointly called upon the city to make real changes to address this growing problem, highlighting two key components: fragile structures, and bad actors. When either are involved, much stricter oversight is needed by city agencies to ensure that serious or irreparable harm is not done.

TO HELP:

March 7, 2023

Another Landmarked Building in Greenwich Village Endangered Due to City-Approved Work at 10 Fifth Avenue

10, 12, and 14-16 Fifth Avenue (left to right) prior to demolition

On Saturday, city-approved work for the construction of a condo-tower at 14-16 Fifth Avenue caused serious damage to 10 Fifth Avenue, an incredibly historically significant 1848 former townhouse built by the Brevoort family which was part of a row that once included 14-16 Fifth Avenue. All sites in question are located within the Greenwich Village Historic District, and therefore landmarked and supposed to be protected from demolition. However, in 2021 over our vociferous protests, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) in a split vote approved demolition of the building, claiming it was not historically or architecturally significant, and approving the replacement tower (though the tower was reduced in height by 42% from the original proposal). 

10 Fifth Avenue Saturday after cracks appeared in its facade

Saturday morning, visible cracks began to appear on the facade of 10 Fifth Avenue, and small pieces of that facade fell to the sidewalk. The Department of Buildings (DOB) and FDNY were called in, and work was halted at 14-16 Fifth when it became clear the construction was causing the cracks. No. 10 Fifth Avenue was evacuated of its 30 residents in 14 apartments. Village Preservation was quickly on the scene to inspect the building and reached out to LPC, DOB, and elected officials to urge that this and neighboring 12 Fifth Avenue be kept safe and intact. Over the course of the weekend, conditions were examined and whether or not the buildings would be found structurally unsound and in need of demolition was considered. As we go to press, we have been told is that 10 Fifth Avenue requires shoring; the party wall shared by 10 and 12 Fifth Avenue will need to be shored as well; and the stop work order remains in effect for 14-16 Fifth Avenue. So neither building has been deemed irreparable, for now. Village Preservation has been in touch with building tenants and Councilmember Erik Bottcher about conditions there. See coverage here and here.

The situation is outrageous, and part of a deeply disturbing pattern of landmarked historic buildings being damaged or destroyed on the city’s watch, including 10 in our neighborhood over the last year or so. Village Preservation has been calling for reforms to the city’s system of oversight to ensure this type of damage and destruction doesn’t take place, but the city has yet to implement such reforms. This case is especially troubling because the LPC should NEVER have allowed demolition of 14-16 Fifth Avenue, which along with the now-damaged and endangered 10 Fifth Avenue is the sole remnant of one of New York’s earliest and most important developments. Village Preservation is carefully monitoring the situation and advocating for the buildings’ repair and restoration, so residents’ homes and our history can be preserved.

TO HELP:

February 21, 2023

LPC Rules 6-5 To Approve 14-16 Fifth Avenue Demolition and New (Shorter) Tower

In a highly unusual split vote decided by the Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair, on Tuesday the LPC voted by the slimmest of margins to approve demolition of the historic, landmarked 170+-year-old building at 14-16 Fifth Avenue and replace it with a 213-ft-tall tower. This was incredibly disappointing given the clearly established historic significance of this building (demolition of not-historically significant buildings within historic districts is allowed), the troubling precedent allowing its demolition would set, and the outpouring of support for saving the building from thousands of New Yorkers, prominent scholars and writers, and Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and Assemblymember Deborah Glick.

The original proposed 367-ft-tall tower (left); the final, approved 213-ft-tall tower (right).

We’re deeply grateful for the support from five of eleven members of the Commission, who passionately opposed demolition, and can take pride in the fact that our collective efforts resulted in several substantial reductions in the oversized height of the building, from the original 367 ft to the final 213 ft — a 42% decrease. But there can be no excusing the Commission’s decision to approve the erasure of history, as well as the demolition of 20 units of housing for longtime residents, half of which were affordable rent regulated units, to be replaced by a high rise pier-a-terre for the super rich with fewer units of housing than the modest but historic building that will be replaced by a developer with a less-than-stellar track record.

Read press coverage here and here.

May 13, 2021

14-16 Fifth Avenue Returns to LPC Tuesday, Send Letter Today

A revised application for demolition of the 170-year-old former townhouses at 14-16 Fifth Avenue and their replacement with a high rise more than 200 ft tall (with fewer apartments than the existing building!) will be heard by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday (time TBD; check HERE on Friday for update). While our pressure has resulted in an ongoing reduction in the height of the building (from 367 to 244 to 223 to 213 feet tall), this still fails to address the fundamental issue that allowing demolition of the historic landmarked building is WRONG, and the proposed replacement remains simply too tall.

Tuesday’s discussion and possible vote by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on the revised application can be viewed by the public, but the public cannot speak. You can, however, submit written testimony to the LPC for consideration, which we strongly urge you to do before 5 pm tomorrow.

May 6, 2021

What’s At Stake With 14-16 Fifth Avenue — What Does Preservation Mean?

As follow-up to last week’s hung jury at the Landmarks Preservation Commission regarding the application to demolish 14-16 Fifth Avenue, the 170-year-old former townhouses connected to some of the most important figures in New York and American history, Village Preservation has provided extensive information rebutting the arguments for demolition and appropriateness for the planned new development — read the letter here.

The possibility of demolition of these incredibly historically significant but altered houses has broad ramifications well beyond this site or even this neighborhood. A cursory examination of other sites in landmarked areas nearby shows that if the same logic being applied to the argument for allowing demolition were applied there, demolition would be allowed of many of our most cherished landmarked buildings.

Another example of landmarked buildings stripped of ornament and conjoined in historic districts, at 111 East 10th Street: would approval of demolition of 14-16 Fifth Avenue mean demolition of buildings like these would also be allowed?

Demolition can, always has been, and must be allowed for buildings within historic districts that are not significant or bear no relationship to the basis for landmark designation of the area. But that is clearly NOT the case here, and any such determination would threaten countless other similarly altered landmarked buildings. Read more here.

April 23, 2021

Landmarks Preservation Commission Again Doesn’t OK Demolition of 14-16 Fifth Avenue, But Final Outcome To Be Determined

On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission was again unable to reach consensus to approve or deny the application to allow demolition of the historic, 170+ year old former townhouses at 14-16 Fifth Avenue. In their discussion, the Commission cited the more than 300 letters they received opposing the new and slightly revised application for demolition and new construction, as well as opposition from Village Preservation. While several commissioners said they were comfortable with allowing demolition, several also gave impassioned statements opposing it, and no consensus was reached. There were varying levels of comfort with the newly proposed, shorter (by 18 feet) replacement should demolition be approved, with some saying it was fine as proposed, others saying it should still be reduced slightly, and still others saying only a significantly shorter building was acceptable. Watch the Commissioner’s meeting and discussion here, and read our comments submitted to the Commission here.

It is now up to the applicant to return to the Commission with a revised application. Meanwhile we are continuing to perform research and provide information and testimony to demonstrate to the Commission that it would be wrong to approve demolition of this incredibly historically significant building, witness to so much history, and that the proposed replacement is too tall.

If and when a revised application has been filed, the public will have a chance to submit new comments, and we will notify you of that opportunity.

April 16, 2021

14-16 Fifth Avenue Plan Returns to LPC Tuesday; WRITE TODAY!

The plan to demolish the landmarked, historically significant former townhouses at 14-16 Fifth Avenue and replace them with a tall new tower returns for a public meeting at the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) next Tuesday, April 13 (check here for approximate time, which will be available Friday). The plan has been slightly revised to lower the height of the proposed building by 18 feet to 224 feet. Village Preservation continues to oppose the plan based upon the overwhelming historic significance of the building, as documented by our research submitted to the LPC and numerous scholars, academics, and writers, and because the proposed new building is simply too tall.

The public will not be allowed to speak at Tuesday’s hearing but can submit written testimony objecting to the revised plan. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO DO SO by the noon Monday deadline at the latest.

April 8, 2021

Virtual Hearing on 14-16 Fifth Avenue Demolition and New Tower Plan Tues., 3/9

Reminder: The Landmarks Preservation Commission’s public hearing on the application to demolish 14-16 Fifth Avenue in the Greenwich Village Historic District and replace it with a 241 foot tall tower will be held next Tuesday. The approximate time of the virtual hearing is still TBD, but it will be during the day. When the time becomes available (likely Friday), we will post it here, and inform all who signed up for notifications. We need a BIG turnout to show broad opposition to this dangerous plan.

Madison Realty Capital is seeking to demolish a pair of 170+ year old former townhouses between 8th and 9th Streets which are among the most historically significant of their kind in New York. Though highly altered from their original form, they are connected to some of the most important figures in New York history throughout their lifetimes, and approval of their demolition would be a devastating blow to historic preservation in New York City. 

It should also be noted that this is a joint application for demolition of the existing structure and the proposed new 241 ft. tall replacement. This means we MUST comment on both elements of the application NOW, should the LPC rule that demolition is allowed. So even if you strongly oppose demolition as we do, we strongly urge also telling the LPC that the proposed new building, 75% taller than all other buildings on Fifth Avenue in the Greenwich Village Historic District and four times the height of the average building on its block, is also unacceptably tall. 

TO HELP:

Please also use the above letter as a model for your 3 minute testimony at next Tuesday’s hearing. 

March 3, 2021

14-16 Fifth Avenue: Community Board Rejects Plan, Landmarks Preservation Commission Hearing Tues. March 9

14-16 Fifth Avenue today (l.) and proposed.

On Tuesday night, Community Board #2’s Landmarks Committee voted to disapprove demolition of the historic and landmarked 170 year old former townhouses at 14-16 Fifth Avenue, and to urge that if the demolition plan is approved by the City, the height of the planned replacement tower be reduced. This is exactly what we and hundreds of neighbors urged them to do, so we are deeply grateful.

The proposal would destroy an extremely important part of our neighborhood and our city’s history (see here and here), and allow demolition of landmarked structures that clearly contribute to the Greenwich Village Historic District. The fate of the proposal will be decided by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which has announced it will hear the application on Tuesday, March 9. As soon as the exact time of the daytime hearing is announced, we will let you know.

You can also use this letter as a basis for your testimony on March 9 (which is limited to 3 min. for verbal testimony; written comments can be any length).

February 18, 2021

Plan for 14-16 Fifth Avenue Demolition and Tower Replacement Returns; Hearing Feb. 16

14-16 Fifth Avenue (center, five-story building) 

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 drop-down for the Feb. 16 meeting, NOT the Feb. 11 meeting). 

We strongly oppose this plan, which would involve the demolition of two altered but incredibly historically significant landmarked townhouses which were home to some of the greatest industrialists, artists, writers, actors, philanthropists, and jurists of the last two centuries and were key to the development of our neighborhood and our city. The proposed high-rise replacement, while decreased in size from prior 367 ft. tall and 21/story 244 ft. tall versions (the new version is 19 stories; we do not yet know its height or design), is nevertheless completely inappropriate. Most importantly, demolition of historically significant structures in landmarked areas should NEVER be allowed. Read more about the building’s historic significance, prior iterations and the plan, and our preservation efforts herehere, and here.

After the Community Board 2 hearing and advisory vote, the application will be scheduled for a hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which will ultimately decide if the proposal to demolish the existing buildings and replace them with a new tower will be approved. Once that has been scheduled, we will notify the public, and urge all to attend and testify in opposition. 

February 3, 2021

Support Grows for Saving Threatened 170-Year-Old Houses at 14-16 Fifth Avenue – Write City Officials Today To Preserve These Landmarked Buildings!

Madison Realty Capital is seeking to demolish 14-16 Fifth Avenue (5-story building in the center of the block) and replace it with a 244 ft. tall tower.

 Since plans were first announced by a developer to seek permission to demolish the landmarked 170-year-old houses at 14-16 Fifth Avenue in the Greenwich Village Historic District and replace them with a huge tower, Village Preservation has led the vocal opposition to this plan. On the coldest day of the year in January, we held a rally and press conference condemning the proposal attended by over 100 neighbors and Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Brad Hoylman, State Assemblymembers Deborah Glick and Harvey Epstein, and a representative of City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. And we have been performing more and more research establishing the unique historic significance of these buildings, and showing how woefully out-of-scale and inappropriate the proposed replacement building would be.

We’ve also been reaching out to scholars, writers, academics, and historians to support our argument for the historic significance of the buildings and to oppose any possible demolition – read just some of the letters to city officials opposing opposition of these buildings here. Because the buildings are located within a historic (landmarked) district, they cannot be demolished unless the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission rules that the buildings are of no historic or architectural significance, and don’t contribute to the character of the historic district. We believe such a ruling would be profoundly wrong and have dangerous implications for landmark protections anywhere in New York City. 

Click for PDF flyer

The developer originally planned to file their application for demolition and approval of the new tower in January. Facing this powerful backlash, they have held off on filing, and now cannot begin the process before April at the earliest.  They may be rethinking their approach given the irrefutable arguments against their plan and the overwhelming opposition to it.

TO HELP:

March 10, 2020