PRESERVATION UPDATE
from the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
February 8, 2008
Height and design of proposed new building at 685 Washington Street (at Charles Street), in the Greenwich Village Historic District extension, rejected. GVSHP had some very serious problems with the height and design of this proposed new building (see drawings at www.gvshp.org/685WashingtonSt.htm), at the very edge of the newly-designated Greenwich Village Historic District extension. GVSHP and many other community groups and elected officials had fought very hard to get this site included in the designated historic district (it was originally carved out), to ensure that the design and scale of any proposed development here would be appropriate. After a protracted campaign, the City did agree to include this site in the historic district.
We found neither the design nor the height of the 9 story building proposed for the site appropriate, and urged the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to insist upon substantial design changes and reduction in height (see testimony at http://gvshp.org/documents/655Wash1-22-08.pdf ). I am pleased to report that the LPC did in fact ask for a substantial reworking of the design, and that the height and the number of floors be substantially reduced as well, to six stories and approximately 60 feet. We will be closely monitoring this application to see when it is re-filed, to try to ensure an appropriate final outcome.
For more background, see http://www.gvshp.org/FWV.htm.
To join GVSHP or support our preservation efforts, visit www.gvshp.org/membership.htm.