Saturday, March 24, 2018

Manhattan Landmarks

They come and then sometimes they go. In this article we look at news in Manhattan connected to landmark buildings: two new ones and one that managed to avoid eradication.

New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) just designated two historic buildings as landmarks: the James NoMad Hotel (formerly the Hotel Seville) and the Emmet Building. Both of these were constructed in the early 20th century. They were the beginning of Madison Square Park north becoming the very active merchandising region it is known for today. Meenakshi Srinivasan, LPC Chair said:
"I am thrilled the Commission voted to designate both Hotel Seville and the Emmet Building. These elegant buildings are not only distinctive and exemplary on their own, but together they represent an era of change and development in the area north of Madison Square during the early 20th century. Their location across the street from each other reinforces this intersection as a reminder of the architectural exuberance of their historic period."
Over at Sunset Park, a battle ensued over the maintenance of its sole freestanding mansion. Plans were in place to knock it down and put a seven-story apartment building there. But after much protest from many of the area’s residents), the LPC called for the preservation of the Dr. Maurice T. Lewis House as a “neighborhood icon for years to come.” Following that decision, huge applause and cheers were heard from the public hearing room at the Manhattan Municipal Building.