Rejected design (l) and new rendering (r) for 111 Noble Street via MDIM
Last September, the Landmarks Preservation Commission took no action on a proposal to demolish a wood frame house dating back to 1855 and erect a modern four-story building in its place at 111 Noble Street in Greenpoint. It was argued that the house was heavily altered in the 20th century and none of the original materials were still there; because of this, the historic structure was effectively gone and a new building should go up in its place. Preservationists and locals alike did not see it that way and called the slick new design out of character for the working-class neighborhood. Commissioners wondered why the original building had to go and suggested thinking beyond mere demolition.
MDIM took these comments into consideration for its next presentation before Landmarks tomorrow morning. While an assessment showed that the building has significant structural deficiencies, it isn’t a hopeless case. Therefore, the new application is not to demolish the building, but to alter its facades, add a third story with rooftop addition, change a portion of the wood framing, and extend the building into the rear yard. Existing brick and wood frames will be retained, existing wood joists will be removed and repaired as needed, and it would gain new metal framing. The new presentation also highlights several other neighborhood buildings with similar extensions and heights to show that theirs would fit in well.
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Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City
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