About a dozen residents gathered yesterday on the corner of West 11th and Greenwich Streets and criticized Ms. Leibovitz for violating building regulations, performing unpermitted work and, they said, damaging a neighboring property and failing to properly maintain her own.
As residents marched in a circle holding placards — one read "Annie: not a pretty picture" — Andrew Berman, the executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, stood near Ms. Leibovitz's buildings at 755 and 757 Greenwich Street, both of which had windows that were boarded up and were supported outside by rusted iron trusses.
Yesterday afternoon, cracks were visible in the buckled brick facade of the buildings, which were built in the 1830's. "We think she wants these buildings to deteriorate to the point of no return," Mr. Berman said. "And we're here to tell her that's not acceptable."
But Robert Hajdu, a lawyer representing Ms. Leibovitz — who lives in Chelsea — said the photographer was committed to preserving the buildings.
"She certainly does not want the buildings to be run-down," he said. "Her intention is to renovate them in compliance with all preservation and landmarks laws."
Many of those criticizing Ms. Leibovitz yesterday said their main goal was to protect the buildings from further harm. Still, some, like Andrew Jones, 42, who lives on West 11th Street, said they were saddened by the damage that had already occurred.
"This is one of the only intersections in Manhattan where buildings on all four corners go back to before the Civil War," Mr. Jones said. He added that he had visited the Greenwich Street town houses before Ms. Leibovitz bought them, and that he had admired the interiors, which featured Greek Revival parlors, marble fireplaces and winding staircases with intricately carved wooden banisters.
The owner of the building just north of Ms. Leibovitz's properties, Aldo Radoczy, said he was concerned that the stability of his building might be affected by her plans.