In 2022, HDC and community partners from across the city held a press conference at City Hall to decry the recent spate of demolition of landmarked properties, and properties under consideration for landmark status, across the 5 boroughs. Subsequently, we launched a community-driven buildings at risk survey in order to better understand the scope of the problem.
Community members provided more than 30 sites of concern, and HDC has since worked regularly with the LPC to help address and hopefully remedy these issues.
We are pleased to provide an update on some of the sites on our list, including both success stories and places where we continue to fight to preserve these important landmarks.
Duffield Street Houses (182 to 188 Duffield Street, Brooklyn)
In May 2025, a controversial proposal for 182-188 Duffield Street was presented at Brooklyn Community Board 2’s Land Use Committee, which included plans to merge the interiors of the four landmarks, demolish their rear facades, and graft them to a 400-foot tower. HDC strongly voiced our concern to CB2 and local elected officials that this precedent would suggest that every historic structure is only as meaningful as its facade, and thereby fair game to be window dressing for a tower. The Land Use Committee declined to support the project. Despite widespread community opposition, a new website called Restore Duffield Street – which does not provide any information about the project, provide any renderings of the plan, or list any details about who created the website – urges the public send letters to LPC in support of the project as a way to protect and restore the Duffield Street houses. HDC continues to monitor proposals for this site and advocates for an appropriate return to public use of these important buildings.
William and Rosamund Clark House (51 Market Street, Manhattan)
After HDC alerted the Landmarks Preservation Commission to concerns about the condition of this individual landmark, LPC contacted the owner and successfully worked with them to approve restoration of the front facade. This was only possible due to community input into HDC’s public survey of buildings at risk across the city.
Metro Theater (2626 Broadway, Manhattan)
Long vacant and a concern of the local community, in 2025 it was announced that a new nonprofit owner, the Upper West Side Cinema Center had purchased the property and is working to restore the facade and turn the interior into a multiplex and educational center. We continue to monitor the project and hope that the center can raise the funds necessary to make this reuse a reality.
Flagg Estate (209 Flagg Place, Staten Island)
A new addition to our Buildings at Risk list, this significant individual landmark was one of the City’s earliest landmarks, designated in 1967, with an expanded landmark site of the estate grounds in 1983. Purchased by a new owner with a documented history of neglect of landmarked properties, there are signs that this important building is destined for demolition by neglect. HDC is concerned about several documented problems, such as recently broken windows, and windows left open to the elements year-round despite engagement from LPC and the community.
Kingston Lounge (120 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn)
In 2023 the LPC approved changes to the ground floor of 120 Kingston Avenue. HDC’s testimony supported the Crown Heights North Association’s position that 120 Kingston Avenue’s Streamline-style storefront and signage should be restored and maintained. We also noted that the cultural history of the Kingston lounge, a popular jazz club once managed by Cain Young, one of Crown Heights’ earliest and most prominent Black real-estate brokers, should be preserved and celebrated. However, the approved changes largely erased the cultural and architectural history that was present at this building.
28 7th Avenue (Park Slope Historic District, Brooklyn)
Despite the best effort of the LPC and others in the community, an emergency demolition of this long neglected property took place in 2023. A new owner quickly applied to the LPC with plans to replace the rowhouse with a similar building in 2025. HDC largely supported the proposal, only asking the LPC to consider the design and details of the plinth level.
St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (259 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn)
Abandoned by its previous developer, a new owner came before the LPC in July 2025 with plans to convert the church and parish house to residential use. HDC supported the premise of conversion and provided comments about the historic stained glass and historic front doors. The LPC unanimously approved the conversion project and HDC looks forward to this adaptive reuse getting underway.
John King Vanderbilt House (1197 Clove Road, Staten Island)
The 1836 John King Vanderbilt House was severely neglected by its previous owner, which led to a lawsuit from LPC seeking restoration of the landmark. In 2024, new owners approached LPC with a proposal to build a suite of three new houses (two on the landmarked site and one adjacent) to support the restoration. HDC supported the proposed new buildings, and suggested that the applicant review the siting of the buildings vis a vis the landmark, and look to the historic house for inspiration regarding the details of the new construction. LPC commissioners echoed our comments about siting and details, and the applicant incorporated those comments into a revised proposal which was unanimously approved.