Landmarked Church Threatened with Demolition!

Incredibly, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) will hold a public hearing for an application tomorrow, Tuesday June 14 for the demolition of the former West Park Presbyterian church, one of the Upper West Side's most stunningly beautiful and important individual landmarks. The applicant wants to build luxury housing on the site. 

Designed by architect Henry Kilburn and built in 1890, the church is considered to be one of the best examples of Romanesque Revival style religious architecture in New York City. Along with its stunning brownstone facades, the church is also important for its cultural history: first during the 19th century when it welcomed Chinese Americans during a time of great prejudice, and later standing at the forefront of the African American and LGBT civil rights movements. The building’s current occupant, the Center at West Park (CWP) is a non-profit community performing arts center that has made a significant impact on the cultural fabric of the Upper West Side and the city.

The church’s owner claims that the building’s required repairs and upgrades are too expensive. However, CWP has offered to buy the church, although at a price below what the owner is asking. If LPC approves the demolition, it would set a terrible precedent for landmarked religious buildings around the city, including in the Lower East Side. 

LESPI has submitted testimony objecting to the application, which you can read HERE. TAKE ACTION: Please send your own testimony (you’re welcome to use our text) to testimony@lpc.nyc.gov, and/or sign the petition calling for the preservation of this important building HERE. Please help fight against this potentially terrible blow to New York’s architectural and cultural heritage!

New York Eye and Ear Infirmary Needs Landmark Protection

In April, LESPI joined Village Preservation, along with East Village Community Coalition and Historic Districts Council to submit a Request for Evaluation to Mayor Adams and the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for the landmark designation of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary building, at Second Avenue and East 13th Street. This majestic historic structure is a landmark in every sense of the word. 

The building was designed by Robert Williams Gibson in a Romanesque Revival style and constructed in 1893, with additions and alterations dating to the first decade of the 20th century. Since then its historic brick and limestone facades have remained very much intact. From its founding in the 1820s, the Eye and Ear Infirmary has provided care for the needy and helped advance medical science. Unfortunately, the hospital is now moving, leaving the building’s future uncertain and in need of landmark protection. We'll keep you posted.

ERP Tennis House Ornament Salvaged

We’re still deeply saddened and troubled that the city would not save the Art Deco / Moderne style Tennis Center Comfort Station, which for three years LESPI and our allies have been advocating to rehabilitate and re-use in the new East River Park. Demolition of the building is currently underway.

A slight silver lining (just perceptible) is that the Parks Dept., following LESPI’s request, has salvaged some of the building’s beautiful terra cotta ornament. LESPI Board Member Merica May Jensen, an architect with OBJ, provided a wonderful preliminary design for reusing the ornament as part of new park signage outlining the history of the East River Park - we believe that this helped convince the Parks Dept. to save the terra cotta. Meanwhile, the terra cotta blocks will need to be stored until the new park is completed and they can be incorporated into a display. While this happens LESPI will continue to press the city to save the Track House, whose demolition is scheduled further along in the park reconstruction project.

State’s Upzoning Proposal Thwarted

We were very happy when earlier this year, after LESPI and our allied organizations reached out to our state elected officials, Governor Hochul withdrew the budget proposal to remove statewide FAR caps. FAR - or Floor Area Ratio - refers to the zoning provision that caps the size of the building at so many times the square footage of the lot. Of course there are numerous loopholes to allow you to build an even larger building if you navigate the system. Note that the supertalls on West 57th were built under current zoning; removing the caps would likely allow even taller structures. These upzonings inevitably lead to further gentrification / pied-a-terre development, loss of existing affordable housing, and loss of light, air and environmental quality. 

Very fortunately, our state elected officials opposed this measure, and it was withdrawn. You can see LESPI’s letter HERE. The lesson? We need to continue to be ever-diligent to prevent these types of proposals from becoming enacted.

Landmarks Commission Funding Restored