A rendering of the new building that would be placed over the top of 711 West End Avenue.
A controversial proposal to develop a new 10-story building over the top of a current building is in jeopardy because of a city agency’s decision to deny the developers’ application for a new tax lot, according to a spokesperson for Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell and a lawyer for the tenants.
Developers have proposed constructing a brand-new building that would be built on top of 711 West End Avenue, a seven-story building at 95th Street and West End Avenue that is filled with rent-stabilized tenants. The new condo development, a joint project between the owner SJP Properties and P2B Ventures, would have its own support structure of steel columns and beams, so it would essentially float above the current building instead of being supported by it, the developers say. The developers had wanted a separate tax lot for the new building.
711 West Avenue.
The Department of Finance is “denying the application for a separate tax lot,” according to Yannis Trittas, the spokesperson for O’Donnell.
Stephanie Cooper, a lawyer who lives in the building and has done legal work for the tenants association on this project, says the denial of the tax lot imperils the entire project, because it could greatly increase the taxes on the project and force the developer to seek approval from current tenants. “It would have tax and financial implications that are considerable.”
After consulting an engineer, Cooper and other tenants contend that the project could have dangerous consequences for the safety of the current building and imperil tenants. They have been fighting the proposal for well over a year.
A spokesperson for the developers, however, sent the statement below indicating that they remain in discussions with the Department of Finance. (It’s not clear if the developer has been updated about the Department of Finance’s decision. O’Donnell and Councilmember Helen Rosenthal are planning a press conference on the issue on Monday.)
“Conversations between the development team and the Department of Finance (DoF) are ongoing and there are a number of taxation options available to move this permitted project forward. We are very encouraged that the condominium plan as outlined to the DoF has been met with support from many residents of 711 West End Avenue who are excited for the much-needed improvements that will result to the building and neighborhood in connection with this project. In continuing our commitment to a transparent process and improved communications, we are currently preparing materials for a series of events to update the building’s residents on our progress and to ensure that every resident has an opportunity to meet with our construction and engineering experts over the next several weeks to learn more about the extensive safety measures that will be adhered to in advance of construction commencing.”
soon as several envelopes change hands this project will be good to go…obviously some people were forgotten
The only “tenants” who support it are those who either have business relationships with the owners of the property or are family members. Ask them to prove otherwise.
I spent the afternoon in Brooklyn visiting some friends today. New residential construction is welcomed everywhere, resulting in vibrant neighborhoods that are filled with young folks, families, and thriving businesses. Here on the Upper West Side it takes a miracle to get even one building approved without a major battle. It’s a shame, as the Haswell would have been a great asset to our area and wouldn’t have displaced one person. Chalk up one for those who prefer to keep our neighborhood stuck in a perpetual time machine.
geez, i guess there were no neighborhoods filled with families in Brooklyn til all those luxury condos came in.
Actually, there were. Just Black and brown families. i guess they don’t count.
Wow, that’s a straw man stretch even for you, Bruce. I know that your main interest on this site is to troll for opportunities to make racist accusations, but “black and brown” neighborhoods aren’t necessarily the ones I was referring to. There are many neighborhoods (white, Asian, industrial-zoned, etc.) reaping the benefits of new residents and businesses. But since you brought the subject up, please enlighten me as to why you feel that black and brown neighborhoods should stay segregated and off-limits to new residents. Oh, and how that would even apply to 711 WEA.
Exactly how would the Haswell have been a “great asset” to our area? I call BS.
Amen
This is a big money project it’ll get done on the existing tax lot if it has to. Just chipping away a couple of percentage points of profit and probably adding a couple bucks to the tax payments of the condo/co-op owners.
Thank goodness for developers who want to invest some money in this area, it can’t remain stagnant like many of these people want.
this is a dangerous project. building it on stilts around an existing building? and where are these stilts going to go?
if you are concerned with “thriving businesses” on the UWS, you will support commercial rent regulation. there are plenty of potential customers. what gets in the way are the astronomical commercial rents.