Updated 1/13/2023 with Landmarks results
In mid-December 2022, social media was full of jokes about that time of year being the "we'll circle back after the holidays" season. However, that was not the case for New York's elected officials. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams revealed the New New York action plan, which recognizes that the business districts and the city as a whole have changed drastically in the wake of the worst of the pandemic and issued a series of recommendations to reflect that. A short time later, Governor Hochul made history as the first woman to be sworn in for a full term as New York State Governor.
Other sectors that have not sat idly by at the end of the year were designers and real estate developers. A number of new projects were revealed as 2022 drew to a close, and the first Landmarks Preservation Commission ("Landmarks") hearings of 2023 will take place on Tuesday, January 10. We take a look at the most eye-catching new designs throughout the boroughs.
In mid-December 2022, social media was full of jokes about that time of year being the "we'll circle back after the holidays" season. However, that was not the case for New York's elected officials. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams revealed the New New York action plan, which recognizes that the business districts and the city as a whole have changed drastically in the wake of the worst of the pandemic and issued a series of recommendations to reflect that. A short time later, Governor Hochul made history as the first woman to be sworn in for a full term as New York State Governor.
Other sectors that have not sat idly by at the end of the year were designers and real estate developers. A number of new projects were revealed as 2022 drew to a close, and the first Landmarks Preservation Commission ("Landmarks") hearings of 2023 will take place on Tuesday, January 10. We take a look at the most eye-catching new designs throughout the boroughs.
In this article:
Steven Harris Architects for Landmarks Preservation Commission
Update: Approved with modifications.
When the Greenwich Village Historic District was still largely populated by starving artists, poet Hart Crane lived at 79 Charles Street while supporting himself with a day job in advertising. Decades after his death, there is a red plaque on the house commemorating his time there, and it sold for $16 million in October 2021. Public records list the buyer as The SJL Trust, which purchased the neighboring 81 Charles Street for $10.15 million a short time later. Both were originally multi-family buildings, but the new owner is now poised to combine them into one large single-family home, pending Landmarks' approval.
When the Greenwich Village Historic District was still largely populated by starving artists, poet Hart Crane lived at 79 Charles Street while supporting himself with a day job in advertising. Decades after his death, there is a red plaque on the house commemorating his time there, and it sold for $16 million in October 2021. Public records list the buyer as The SJL Trust, which purchased the neighboring 81 Charles Street for $10.15 million a short time later. Both were originally multi-family buildings, but the new owner is now poised to combine them into one large single-family home, pending Landmarks' approval.
As part of the combination, a presentation by Steven Harris Architects shows changes that include the restoration of the existing front door, a new painted steel fence and gate, new planters and security cameras, new windows on the rear facade, a new rear cornice to match the existing, new steel and glass doors opening up to a rear garden, and the restoration of the brick facade, brownstone lintels, and front cornice. It also depicts a zinc-coated copper-clad rooftop addition, the likes of which the presentation points out can be seen on either side of the townhouses.
If approved, the combined townhouses will be five stories high with a roof terrace and a rear yard. Interior floor plans show a basement-level rec room, an eat-in kitchen with center island, a living room with original wood-burning fireplace, a full-floor primary suite with sitting room and pair of dressing rooms, four secondary bedrooms with walk-in closets and en suite baths, and an upper-level study.
If approved, the combined townhouses will be five stories high with a roof terrace and a rear yard. Interior floor plans show a basement-level rec room, an eat-in kitchen with center island, a living room with original wood-burning fireplace, a full-floor primary suite with sitting room and pair of dressing rooms, four secondary bedrooms with walk-in closets and en suite baths, and an upper-level study.
418-420 East 75th Street (ARC Architecture + Design Studio)
In April 2022, developer Brooklyn B Company Group bought 418-420 East 75th Street, a carriage-style building on the Upper East Side, from AK Properties Group for $5.8 million. More recently, they revealed the renderings of their expansion of the two-story building into a six-story mixed-use building with one retail space and as many as 10 residential units. Renderings by ARC Architecture + Design Studio show that the first two stories will retain their red brick masonry facade, but the new levels will have a gray brick facade with black-framed windows and black-paneled balconies. The renderings also show greenery on the roof, indicating that a roof terrace will be among the amenities. An estimated completion date has not yet been provided.
BKSK Architects for Landmarks Preservation Commission
Update: Approved with modifications.
When British developers Reuben Brothers bought the Surrey Hotel on the Upper East Side in December 2020, conversations about converting shuttered hotels to residential units were at their loudest. However, it is set to reopen as a Corinthian hotel, the first property in the United States. Casa Tua is set to replace Cafe Boulud as the restaurant; and, in addition to the 97 guest rooms and suites, there will be 12 luxury residential units, all with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Studio.
When British developers Reuben Brothers bought the Surrey Hotel on the Upper East Side in December 2020, conversations about converting shuttered hotels to residential units were at their loudest. However, it is set to reopen as a Corinthian hotel, the first property in the United States. Casa Tua is set to replace Cafe Boulud as the restaurant; and, in addition to the 97 guest rooms and suites, there will be 12 luxury residential units, all with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Studio.
In addition to the interiors, the Schwartz & Gross-designed building will also undergo a makeover ahead of the reopening; however, owing to its address in the Upper East Side Historic District, this cannot take place without Landmarks' blessing. A presentation by BKSK Architects shows changes starting at the street level with a new restaurant entrance at an extended masonry window opening, a reconfigured marquee to match the stained bronze at ground floor, and an ornamental screen at new stained bronze entry doors.
Working on up, the presentation also calls for such changes as new windows with new brick infill on the 14th through 16th floors, lot line wall modifications on the southern, eastern, and western sides, an elevator bulkhead extension, and rooftop modifications that do not appear overly conspicuous in mockups. The historic facade will also be restored to its original glory.
Working on up, the presentation also calls for such changes as new windows with new brick infill on the 14th through 16th floors, lot line wall modifications on the southern, eastern, and western sides, an elevator bulkhead extension, and rooftop modifications that do not appear overly conspicuous in mockups. The historic facade will also be restored to its original glory.
ARC Architecture + Design Studio
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In October 2022, Le Capital NYC filed permits to expand 114 Lexington Avenue, a one-story auto repair shop, into a five-story, 16-unit residential building. More recently, ARC Architecture + Design Studios has revealed renderings of the new building. These show a red brick facade, multi-story arches, metal-framed windows, glass balconies in select units, and a setback that allows for terraces on the upper level.
114 Lexington Avenue is one block from the Classon Avenue G train, but will include 10 enclosed parking spaces. Renderings also indicate that the amenities will include a rear courtyard. An offering plan with a $19.525 million sellout was filed in September 2022. An estimated completion date is not yet available.
114 Lexington Avenue is one block from the Classon Avenue G train, but will include 10 enclosed parking spaces. Renderings also indicate that the amenities will include a rear courtyard. An offering plan with a $19.525 million sellout was filed in September 2022. An estimated completion date is not yet available.
Alafia, East New York
In late December 2022, construction began on Alafia, a new development to rise on the former site of Brooklyn Developmental Center in East New York as part of the Vital Brooklyn initiative. Construction will take place in phases, and the first phase will include a six-story, 124-unit building and a 15-story, 542-unit building with two towers connected by a common lobby. One tower will house a 15,000-square-foot medical clinic operated by One Brooklyn Health, and the second tower will include 7,800 square feet of retail space, preferably to be occupied by local businesses. Both buildings will be designed to meet Passive House standards with closed loop geothermal heat pump system, roof-mounted solar array, and SHARC wastewater heat recovery system.
Upon completion, Alafia will contain over 2,400 affordable housing units in a walkable space with green space by SCAPE Landscape Architects. These will include 136 supportive housing units run by Services for the Underserved. The development team comprises Apex Building Company, L+M Development Partners, Services for the UnderServed and RiseBoro Community Partnership; the master plan was designed by Dattner Architects. Estimated completion is not yet available.
ARC Architecture + Design Studio
When the new residential building at 160-14 Hillside Avenue was first announced, developer A&R Properties Group revealed a monochromatic low-rise with balconies in many units. However, the newest rendering by ARC Architecture + Design Studio depicts a warm-toned building without balconies, but with gold-hued paneling. The design has subtle hues, but the sheer size of it makes a statement on the street corner.
Upon completion, the seven-story building will include ground-level retail space and 44 residential units. Amenities will include a rooftop lounge and a fitness center. The site is one block from the Parsons Boulevard E/F trains and close to local conveniences and schools.
Upon completion, the seven-story building will include ground-level retail space and 44 residential units. Amenities will include a rooftop lounge and a fitness center. The site is one block from the Parsons Boulevard E/F trains and close to local conveniences and schools.
Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, East Flatbush
Studio Gang
Shortly before the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the New York City Parks Department and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) revealed renderings for the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, to be located in Nostrand Playground and named in honor of the first African-American woman to serve in Congress and the first woman to seek the presidential nomination. A PowerPoint presentation credits Studio Gang for the 62,000-square-foot building's design, which will have a green roof and aim for LEED Gold certification.
The new recreation center is set to include a gym and walking track, an indoor pool, a public plaza, multipurpose rooms, a teaching kitchen, and a media lab named in honor of community advocate Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr. It is part of the DDC's growing "design-build program" that brings designers and builders together working as one team, as opposed to the city's traditional "design-bid-build" delivery model. Completion is estimated for the end of 2025.
The new recreation center is set to include a gym and walking track, an indoor pool, a public plaza, multipurpose rooms, a teaching kitchen, and a media lab named in honor of community advocate Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr. It is part of the DDC's growing "design-build program" that brings designers and builders together working as one team, as opposed to the city's traditional "design-bid-build" delivery model. Completion is estimated for the end of 2025.
Westchester Square Library, Bronx
Snøhetta
When CityRealty published a rundown of new city libraries in mid-2021, Bronx libraries were notably absent from the list. However, renderings indicate that the new Westchester Square Library is set to make a splash next to the historic Huntington Free Library. At the end of 2022, Snøhetta unveiled renderings of a green glass building with abstract views of trees, a new street-level garden, and a sculptural installation by Shawn Smith. The building's design nods to the Bronx's status as the city's greenest borough.
The Westchester Square Library is designed to be environmentally green as well as green in color — it is aiming for LEED Platinum certification. Not only will the new garden be a pleasing amenity, but it will serve as a water retention and filtration system. Additional features are set to include solar panels, rainwater recycling, a high-performance building envelope, and a fritted glass facade to filter sunlight. Construction is set to commence this year, and completion is estimated for 2025.
The Westchester Square Library is designed to be environmentally green as well as green in color — it is aiming for LEED Platinum certification. Not only will the new garden be a pleasing amenity, but it will serve as a water retention and filtration system. Additional features are set to include solar panels, rainwater recycling, a high-performance building envelope, and a fritted glass facade to filter sunlight. Construction is set to commence this year, and completion is estimated for 2025.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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