As seen in the Washington Square News.
East Village residents continue to protest the construction of high-rise buildings in the area after a new 21-story building is slated to be constructed at 110 Third Ave. next spring.
Uproar over the building, built by the Toll Brothers construction company between 13th and 14th streets, comes in the wake of local opposition to NYU’s decision to construct a 26-story residence hall on 12th Street between Third and Fourth avenues.
A spokesman from Toll Brothers said he was aware that the building would be one of the largest in the area.
“On our block is an NYU building about the same size and a co-op directly across the street about the same size,” he said. “We are not going well beyond the realm of reason in regard to that area. It is something you would expect on Third Ave.”
Andrew Berman, the executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, said the new building doesn’t match the low-rise charm of the East Village.
“We do believe that the proposed new building is out of scale for the area, and from what we have seen for the design, it is not very well-suited for the character of the neighborhood,” Berman said.
The building will hold 77 individual units with prices ranging from $850,000 to $2 million per unit. Construction began last year, and the building is expected to be completed next spring.
Berman said the society failed to save the historically-significant Variety Photoplays Theater from the building’s development, which was demolished despite his attempts to landmark the site. Neighbors aren’t happy about the building’s construction because the project is “as-of-right,” which means that it does not require special approval, permits or public review to go forward, he said.
“Most neighbors had not heard about it and had first heard about it when we forwarded them information about it,” he said.
Berman said the society is pushing to have the area between Third and Fourth avenues rezoned to impose height caps and contextual zoning that would prevent similar developments from being built — even if it’s already too late for this site.
“Because the project is as-of-right, there is little that can be done since the city already refused to landmark the theater, which had been located there, and allowed it to be demolished,” he said. “We can, however, use this as a lesson to illustrate why we need the zoning for the areas changed, and … use it to help push for those changes.”
Local resident and architect Brian O’Conghaile, 32, said moderation is key in new development in the Village.
“Ultimately, you’re not keeping with the essence of the area,” he said. “But in all fairness, do you think it’s going to make a damn bit of difference if you look at what’s across the street? It’s all about relativity and balance.”
Manhattan resident Cheryl Morris, 52, said the high-priced units are further gentrifying the neighborhood.
“It’s more housing, but it’s only going to people making six figures that can afford it — not middle-class people,” she said.
Vincenzo Aurelia, a 36-year-old commuter from Washington, D.C., said residents who are searching in a tight housing market might have better chances with more development.
“I think it’s a good idea because the population is getting higher,” he said. “They might find something here.”
— additional reporting by Jenna Marotta. With Brett Ackerman.
Out of scale for East Village
As seen in the Washington Square News.
East Village residents continue to protest the construction of high-rise buildings in the area after a new 21-story building is slated to be constructed at 110 Third Ave. next spring.
Uproar over the building, built by the Toll Brothers construction company between 13th and 14th streets, comes in the wake of local opposition to NYU’s decision to construct a 26-story residence hall on 12th Street between Third and Fourth avenues.
A spokesman from Toll Brothers said he was aware that the building would be one of the largest in the area.
“On our block is an NYU building about the same size and a co-op directly across the street about the same size,” he said. “We are not going well beyond the realm of reason in regard to that area. It is something you would expect on Third Ave.”
Andrew Berman, the executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, said the new building doesn’t match the low-rise charm of the East Village.
“We do believe that the proposed new building is out of scale for the area, and from what we have seen for the design, it is not very well-suited for the character of the neighborhood,” Berman said.
The building will hold 77 individual units with prices ranging from $850,000 to $2 million per unit. Construction began last year, and the building is expected to be completed next spring.
Berman said the society failed to save the historically-significant Variety Photoplays Theater from the building’s development, which was demolished despite his attempts to landmark the site. Neighbors aren’t happy about the building’s construction because the project is “as-of-right,” which means that it does not require special approval, permits or public review to go forward, he said.
“Most neighbors had not heard about it and had first heard about it when we forwarded them information about it,” he said.
Berman said the society is pushing to have the area between Third and Fourth avenues rezoned to impose height caps and contextual zoning that would prevent similar developments from being built — even if it’s already too late for this site.
“Because the project is as-of-right, there is little that can be done since the city already refused to landmark the theater, which had been located there, and allowed it to be demolished,” he said. “We can, however, use this as a lesson to illustrate why we need the zoning for the areas changed, and … use it to help push for those changes.”
Local resident and architect Brian O’Conghaile, 32, said moderation is key in new development in the Village.
“Ultimately, you’re not keeping with the essence of the area,” he said. “But in all fairness, do you think it’s going to make a damn bit of difference if you look at what’s across the street? It’s all about relativity and balance.”
Manhattan resident Cheryl Morris, 52, said the high-priced units are further gentrifying the neighborhood.
“It’s more housing, but it’s only going to people making six figures that can afford it — not middle-class people,” she said.
Vincenzo Aurelia, a 36-year-old commuter from Washington, D.C., said residents who are searching in a tight housing market might have better chances with more development.
“I think it’s a good idea because the population is getting higher,” he said. “They might find something here.”
— additional reporting by Jenna Marotta. With Brett Ackerman.