The development proposed for 207 West 79th street between Broadway and Amsterdam received a cold reception at the Landmarks Preservation Commission this week, and the members sent the architects back to the drawing board, asking them to build something more distinctive and in line with the neighborhood. They particularly didn’t like the balconies.
According to Curbed, the 14 public comments were overwhelmingly negative.
79th Street resident Robin Green called it the proposal a “sore thumb.” One UWS resident called it a “scar on the West Side.” A resident of the corner of 79th and Amsterdam said there would be “collateral damage.”
Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal doesn’t just dislike the building, she opposes the demolition altogether: “its height, in a mix with other buildings on the block allow for views of distinct buildings, such as the Lucerne, and allow for the air and light that make that area so special.”
“It is regrettable that the existing building no longer retains the architectural value of its sister buildings to the west, but the building’s lack of distinctive style should not allow for an out of context building to be put in its place,” said Borough President Gale Brewer.
The commission didn’t reject the plan outright; instead, they told the architect to come back with a better plan.
Read the full account at Curbed.
What no one seems to realize is that developers are many steps ahead of any regulators or the community on these issues. Developers will very often present plans which they know will not be approved and after “negotiations” present the plans they really wanted which will be accepted by all because they’re “so much better” than the original presentation. The politicians and regulators love the process because they look like they’re doing something for the community and the developers love it for obvious reasons (ie, profit).
As someone who is involved in engineering and construction management, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve worked in the private and public sector and this is the way it works. Expect the architect to propose a bldg that is slightly above the current bldg, while remaining slightly lower than the Lucerne. Watch the new rendering ‘blend’ in the current UWS look. The balconies will be in the back (facing North) and away from street view. Its their way of meeting a ‘compromise.’ Makes both sides (politicians & developers) look good.
You read it hear first , , , West Side Rag!
I don’t have your job experience, but I think your prediction is spot on. We’ve seen the same scenario many times up here. (The recent debate over the Sugar & Plumm façade comes quickly to mind.) And we’re certain to see it again as they re-develop the NE corner of B’way & 79th. That whole block is going to be in chaos for years. Progress (I guess).
LPC got it right, this bland box is worthy of our neighborhood.
Also not worthy is the crappy tower at 79th and bway – it will be a Lestrand redux – same owner freidland.
but its built as of right so we have no say.. i think its crazy that there is so much approval needed when in landmark district and yet absolutely Nothing when its not landmarked. no say at all if its as of right.. so yes Webot would like to see more government intervention or encouragement for better architecture and design .. and NOT tied to subsidized housing in anyway.. just lets build quality design for all to enjoy. For a better city, keep other agendas out of it
Was almost with you there, Webot, until the end. It may be more difficult to achieve, but creating esthetically pleasing and effective housing isn’t a crappy idea at all.
Including the middle class/ working class!
Build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything! If the Lucerne were proposed today it too would be rejected for blocking some other person’s sunlight.
I don’t think the building is unattractive. However the balconies seem a little superfluous. Look up and they’re empty. What about the scaffolding that’s going to have to support yet another crumbling building for 5 plus years before it gets taken down.
However the real issue is the lack of supporting info structure on the UWS. Take a look at the cracked sidewalks and potholed streets. The dirt and garbage that gets left for hours falling out of bins. The heaving subways. Why aren’t’ the sidewalks getting washed down anymore.. The whole area stinks.
That whole block is kind of sad and rundown. The existing building is an eyesore. I’m perfectly happy to let the Lucerne and the developers fight over whether or not some views in the hotel get blocked. Either way, they’re both in it for the money. Like some of the commenters on earlier reporting of this story noted, change can be good. What I would like to see, though, is the availability of retail space at the bottom. We need to keep the vibrancy in the neighborhood, while not getting stuck in time.
Rundown? All I see there are stable businesses and unassuming residences; the Dublin House, the expensive lighting store, liquor store, florist, restaurants? What’s illin’ there? Rundown is Columbus btw 86th/87th, east side. But 79th remains thriving.