335 West 57th Street via CityRealty
A few blocks west of the glittering edifices of Billionaires' Row, things aren't looking so good for affordable housing: While filed permits created the impression of new additions for 335-337 West 57th Street, the two-story SRO is actually headed for a demolition. Residential interiors have been gutted, and the brick wall that divided the two structures is coming down. In the wake of this, the Midtown Gazette reports that Midtown West has lost 21 buildings and 153 affordable housing units since December 2015.
This is not a new phenomenon for Midtown West. On the contrary, a zoning resolution was adopted in 1973 to establish the Special Clinton District and preserve affordable units in an increasingly expensive neighborhood. However, developers have grown adept at hiding their projects' true purposes: By applying for multiple "minor alterations," these eventually add up to a full demolition. Opaque netting has also been adopted to keep passers-by from getting a good look at the site activity.
In spite of a number of violations, a recent visit to the site showed work to combine the buildings underway. Renderings show five glass-enclosed floors on top of a brick base. The interiors will have new staircases, a new elevator, and new kitchens and bathrooms in 14 apartments.
335-337 West 57th Street circa November 2018 via CityRealty
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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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