A developer has proposed to build a 22-story elliptical glass tower on top of a 5-story limestone building built in 1949 in an historic district on the upper east side. It will be interesting to see what the Landmarks Commission rules tomorrow. The NY Sun reports on the situation today:Drama Resumes on East Side Over Aby Rosen's Proposal
Will Tierney and company rule that historic districts merely serve as platforms to be built on top of, or that building height is part of neighborhood character and needs to be protected?
Tune in tomorrow.
16 comments:
If this proposal becomes a reality, it will be a confirmation of how developer-oriented the LPC is, and will also be the beginning of the end of ALL historic districts. Let's pray that Tierney & Co. do the right thing for a change.
To the previous poster:
Do you believe in Santa? 'let's pray?' what the hell is that all about?
If thats how we deal with politics, then I think the entire preservation movement needs a shot of reality.
Better yet, new blood ... and new ideas.
Looks like LSD is making a comeback...
If Tierney follows the French form, yes, they will erect these glass towers and the intent of the Landmarks Law (which is to protect a historic district from non- contributing crap) is in trouble! Remember, in Paris they allowed the building an ugly monstrous "glass pyramid" smack in front of the Louvre! This has set international legal precedence for the inclusion of merde' (French for shit) ! But let's not worry, Le Grande Dames' of the Municipal Arts Society are sure to be out in full force in protest, after all , this isn't Queens!
Not LSD but maybe Crystal-Meth! Aren't these "crystal towers" the type of hallucinations it produces?
Sorry , poster "m.p.", you can pray. If I lived there I'd be "fixing my bayonet" and preparing to fight! LPC hasn't castrated me yet!
Violating a "sacred Manhattan historic district" may be just what the doctor ordered! Now that you guys on the other side of the East River are about to experience "architectural rape" perhaps now you can empathize with us as to what it's like to live in Queens!
Tierney and Betts should each take a seat atop those things and rotate...
I also feel the pain, but poster "m.p"s suggestion that we should "praying"....(while Rome is-a- flaming).... is a little weak. Can we take any stronger action? I do hope that the various (yawn) "preservation organizations" (ha-ha) do a little more than their usual letter writing"! Yeah fellas, you're part of the problem along with the developers and the politicians! Wake up to the truth! They're "tough" and you're "weak". Now, how are you gonna beat 'em! Maybe a week in Marine boot camp will give you some gumption and pride!
I actually like the new design! It looks as if a space-craft from Jupiter has landed on the roof! Let's see if we can make contact with them and ask them to move their vehicle! They've got more collective intelligence than those at the LPC, I'm sure. But if they refuse to move perhaps, the "meter maids" could ticket them.
Referring to my first post, I don't seriously mean "pray." I meant that it is essential for us preservationists to remain optimistic and continue fighting for the benefit of all!
We know what you meant "m.p." (yawn)! Do , pray tell, what else (other than spend words) are you gonna do!
I'm glad to see that this ain't a site for "panty-waists". We meet too many of these "soft-boiled" types at preservation meetings and demonstrations! Strictly 1960s "throw-backs"! I'ts time for a little well-directed and constructive outrage followed by some good & sound military planning! Most of the"academics" in the preservation war, often turn out to be just a bunch of mild mannered" squeelers!
Who is being pessimistic? I respect the politicians and developers because they know exactly what they are doing and do it so well.
Its our fellow preservationists that scares the hell out of me.
If this proposal becomes a reality, it will be a confirmation on the fact that the preservation movement, as we know it, is dead.
If the preservation movement isn't, in fact, already dead, it's certainly on life support! But you can always pull those "preservationists" out of their comas by inviting them to a wine and cheese gathering (or is it whine & gees) ! C'mon fellas, a little less eating drinking and a lot more creative thinking! I'm hopeful!
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