UPDATED 3/26/2019: The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to take no action on the demolition of the existing building at 760 Madison Avenue to make way for a new building to house a new Giorgio Armani flagship store and 19 luxury apartments. The Madison Avenue BID, New York Building Congress, Association for a Better New York, members of the community, and Giorgio Armani employees and customers all spoke in favor of the project.
Commissioners showed general support for the demolition and integration of two adjacent buildings, as well as the height and massing of the new project. However, concerns about the design and materials of the new building gave pause in the end. Chair Sarah Carroll declared no action, but expected to have the team back soon.
Commissioners showed general support for the demolition and integration of two adjacent buildings, as well as the height and massing of the new project. However, concerns about the design and materials of the new building gave pause in the end. Chair Sarah Carroll declared no action, but expected to have the team back soon.
Fashion Week was last month, but the fashion world is buzzing about Giorgio Armani’s latest project, along with the real estate and architecture communities: In addition to a rejuvenated Madison Avenue flagship at 760 Madison Avenue, he is planning to design the interiors of 19 apartments to go up in a new building above it. By virtue of its location in the Upper East Side Historic District, the project must be heard by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
When the project was announced, co-developer SL Green’s CEO Marc Halliday said in a statement, “The brand’s leadership will preserve all that we, as New Yorkers, love about the Upper East Side of Manhattan” (h/t The Real Deal). Indeed, a presentation for the Landmarks Preservation Commission points out that CookFox, designer of the new brick and limestone building, draws inspiration from others in the area: The balcony detail is reminiscent of 39 East 67th Street, the textured façade comes from the Rosario Candela-designed 740 Park Avenue, and the setbacks and rounded corners take cues from Carlton House. And while the proposed 189-foot height is on the taller side for this part of town, the presentation takes note of the Upper East Side’s irregular skyline.
The new building will have an 8,895-square-foot Giorgio Armani flagship store spanning two levels. Its 19 residential units will start on the second floor, with duplexes starting on the fifth. Mr. Armani plans to live in the building and design the interiors of all apartments, and many units will enjoy private terraces. Permits filed with the city state that residential amenities will include a library, fitness room, lounge, mail room, pet grooming station, storage, bike room, and laundry room.
Demolition permits have not been filed for the existing structure, but Landmarks will hear a petition to demolish the current building and parts of two others located at 19 East 65th Street and 21 East 65th Street to make way for this new project. The site is currently home to a Peter Marino-designed commercial building dating back to 1996, and the Landmarks presentation noted that the demolition of the site’s previous occupant was approved. The presentation also details that the facades and massing of the remaining buildings will be preserved and restored.
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