LP-2695
Lithuanian Alliance Building – 307 West 30th Street
ITEM PROPOSED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
A Neo-Grec flats building constructed in 1876-1877 that has been home to the Lithuanian Alliance since 1910.
The Historic Districts Council is pleased to support the designation of the Lithuanian Alliance Building at 307 West 30th Street as an individual New York City landmark.
Built in 1876–77 as a four-story neo-Grec “French flat,” the building reflects the late 19th-century development of Midtown West as the area transitioned from rural estates to a dense residential neighborhood. Today it stands as a rare surviving example of that period. As a member of the Empire State Coalition, which works to preserve the historic fabric around Pennsylvania Station, HDC views this designation as an important step in protecting an area undergoing rapid redevelopment and encourages LPC to consider additional nearby historic buildings for designation.
In addition to its architectural significance, the building has served as an important center of Lithuanian-American community life for more than a century. Since 1910, it has been the headquarters of the Lithuanian Alliance of America, founded in 1886 to support Lithuanian immigrants through insurance, loans, and cultural programs.
While we are pleased to support the designation of this building, we note that other important Lithuanian heritage sites remain unprotected. For example, HDC continues to advocate for the landmarking of the Transfiguration Church in Maspeth and urges LPC to consider this site in order to recognize and safeguard more of the city’s Lithuanian legacy.