E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL
October 2012, Volume 9, Number 3
HDC Identifies 78 Buildings of Interest in the East Midtown Rezoning Area
As Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of City Planning (DCP) move forward with their proposal to rezone a large section of East Midtown to accommodate taller buildings, the Historic Districts Council has compiled a list of significant historic buildings in the area that could be endangered by the rezoning. As New York’s most prominent business district, East Midtown is home to many significant commercial buildings. While there is certainly room for new development and landmarks for our future, it is important to consider the numerous unprotected buildings of quality design in order to preserve the essential character and history of the district.
The list, which was submitted on October 9, is broken into three general categories: the remaining 19th and early 20th century buildings that recall the residential, pre-Grand Central days of the area; hotels and office buildings that rose around Grand Central as part of Terminal City; and post-World War II modernist office buildings that helped solidify the district’s status as one of the world’s premier business addresses. The buildings on HDC’s list will also be submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission as Requests forEvaluation for landmark designation.
To read more about HDC’s survey go here
To view pictures of the proposed individual landmarks click here
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Join HDC at the Four Seasons Restaurant as we honor Roberta Brandes Gratz as our 2012 Lion recipient.
Click here to visit our website for more information and tickets!
Click here for more information on Roberta Brandes Gratz
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LPC to Consider New Historic Districts in Bedford-Stuyvesant and on Staten Island
On Tuesday, October 30, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will be holding a public hearing to consider the designation of two potential historic districts which HDC is especially pleased about. The Harrison Street Historic District is a street of 19th century houses just down the hill from the St. Paul’s Avenue/Stapleton Heights Historic District. This dense, eclectic collection of houses is a rare survivor of 19th century architecture – which is why HDC and our neighborhood partners have been asking for its preservation for several years. We are incredibly pleased that the LPC is brining it forward for consideration. For more information about the district, see this article in The Wall Street Journal or visit the LPC’s website for the full presentation of the district.
Also on the docket for landmark consideration is the Bedford Historic District in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn. A stunning collection of almost 800 late-19th century rowhouses and small apartment buildings designed in Italianate, neo‐Grec, Queen Anne,
Romanesque Revival, and Renaissance Revival styles. These preserved 19th-century streetscapes are eye-opening to say the least, and the area’s history, from its settlement by the Dutch to its evolution into one of America’s largest and best-known African-American neighborhood, is fascinating window into our city’s development. To learn more about the neighborhood, visit our friends at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Society for Historic Preservation (make sure to visit their Bedford Historic District page). Special thanks to our friends at Brooklyn Community Board Three and CM Al Vann, without whose leadership this would have never come to pass.
Hope to see you on Tuesday, October 30 at the LPC!
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FALL SERIES
THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL INVITES YOU TO:
“ACROSS NEW YORK”
A film series that highlights stories from across the five boroughs on how our city came to be and the people who helped shape it.
All screenings will be held at the Tribeca Film Center located at 375 Greenwich Street.
$5 per program for Friends of HDC, Seniors and Students, $10 for the general public. To purchase tickets click HERE! Space is limited.
“AT HOME IN UTOPIA”
Thursday, November 1, 6PM
Directed by Michal Goldman, 2008, 133 minutes
For more information about this and other movie screening click here
FLORENT, QUEEN OF THE MEATMARKET ”
Thursday, November 8, 6PM
Directed by David Sigal, 2009, 1 hour 29 minutes. This film is not rated.
For more information about this and other movie screening click here
Wednesday, November 14, 6PM
Directed by Ric Burns, 1991, 1 hour.
For more information about this and other movie screening click here
This series is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Additional support is provided by Council members Margaret Chin, Inez Dickens, Daniel Garodnick, Vincent Gentile, Stephen Levin and Rosie Mendez.
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Do You Have a Preservation Project That HDC Can Help With?
Apply now to Six To Celebrate 2013!
HDC has begun the search for its 2013 Six to Celebrate neighborhoods! You can now apply to be one of the six by going online to http://hdc.org/program-events/six-to-celebrate/2013-application . You may also download the PDF of the application here: Six To Celebrate 2013 application form, or give us a call at 212-614-9107 if you would like one sent to you. To read more information about the Six To Celebrate program view our website http://hdc.org/program-events/six-to-celebrate. We look forward to your submissions.
Among the many benefits of being chosen for the Six to Celebrate, a custom-written walking tour brochure and neighborhood guide will be provided to each area participating. See here for sample neighborhood guides – would you like one of these for your district?
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Help Us Celebrate the Neighborhood Preservation Center’s Birthday!
Since The Neighborhood Preservation Center’s founding in 1999, the Historic Districts Council has been the citywide partner in residence. The Center provides invaluable space for the HDC offices, meetings, educational programs and special events. Come help us celebrate the NPC’s 13 years of success!
Tickets are now available for the Birthday Party at Webster Hall on November 1st. Buy them now if you don’t want to miss out on the festivities! This fundraiser benefits the Neighborhood Preservation Center’s programs which support the work of groups that use its resources to improve and protect neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs.
Individual tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.
Each ticket includes two complimentary beverage tickets. Click to purchase tickets.
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~Donate to HDC~
If you’re receiving this, then you know that HDC is working hard throughout the city to protect and preserve the neighborhoods which make New York great. Please consider contributing and becoming part of the movement to preserve our city’s irreplaceable architecture and history. There are a lot of buildings to cover, and we can only do it with a lot of people
http://hdc.org/donate.
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The Advocate for New York City’s Historic Neighborhoods
232 East 11th Street New York NY 10003
tel: 212-614-9107 fax: 212-614-9127 email: [email protected]