Tony Avella Speaks Out Against Glass Box Proposed For Battery Maritime Building
Avella & Historic Districts Council Affirm their Opposition to Landmarked Battery Maritime Building “Hotel Boutique” Proposal
For more information please call: Tony Avella 718-747-2137
Today, Council Member Tony Avella and the Historic Districts Council declared their opposition to the proposed Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Battery Maritime Building project, which would establish a four story glass “Hotel Boutique” on top of the historic and landmarked building.
Avella stated, “I am shocked that EDC would be so disillusioned as to consider this large-scale project suitable for development on top of such a monumental landmark. Any sane person would conclude that this $110 Million project is out of context and will clearly undermine the historical and architectural structure of this landmark!”
The project, which is set to be heard before Avella’s March 4, 2009 Zoning and Franchise Subcommittee, would include a public indoor space, a rooftop bar and restaurant and a 140 room boutique hotel. Avella continued, “This project will place a totally out of character addition on top of this historic jewel. Clearly, this will set a terrible precedent for future projects – that new construction can be added to an existing landmark without any consideration to its architectural attributes.”
The building was officially landmarked in 1967 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) and was one of the earliest buildings in New York City to be designated for preservation and protection. “This addition smothers the original historic building under an ill-considered gleaming bauble. This is no way to treat a landmark,” exclaimed Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council.
Paul Graziano, President of the Historic Districts Council, added, “It’s amazing to me that the Bloomberg administration, after spending almost $60 Million to restore this architectural treasure to its original glory, would propose to destroy the very thing that they spent so many taxpayer dollars to save.”
Designed by Richard Walker and Charles Morris, the Battery Maritime Building was completed in 1909 and is the last surviving East River ferry building in New York City.