New Building for New School at 65 5th Ave.?

**londonlawyer** · February 6th, 2007, 04:41 PM

I have always hoped that the POS occupied by the New School on 5th and 14th St. would be redeveloped. It's a true POS in an otherwise beautiful area.

As per the following blurb posted on curbed.com on Feb. 6, 2007, there may be hope:

Greenwich Village: A reader writes, "I live near a New School building at 65 5th Avenue (on the Southeast corner of 14th and 5th). Yesterday, I read in my co-op newsletter that The New School is exploring the possibility of tearing down the existing 3-story structure and putting up a building that could be 20-30 stories high. Apparently, The New School has already contracted Skidmore Owings & Merril for the project. Could you poke around and shed some light on these plans?" Poke.

This POS was a department store called Lanes before the New School acquired it. As many of you know, it looks even worse now than it the following photo. It's a blighted structure in a stunning area.

**czsz** · February 6th, 2007, 06:36 PM

I actually somewhat like this building...it's very classic late 40s, post-art deco, and demarcates the New School as an academic institution from the otherwise heavily commercial buildings surrounding it. I've always wanted to see the New School develop some kind of architectural identity (even NYU asserts its presence more assertively) rather than merely blending with the rest of the city.

**londonlawyer** · February 6th, 2007, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by czsz

I actually somewhat like this building...it's very classic late 40s, post-art deco, and demarcates the New School as an academic institution from the otherwise heavily commercial buildings surrounding it. I've always wanted to see the New School develop some kind of architectural identity (even NYU asserts its presence more assertively) rather than merely blending with the rest of the city.

I respect that, but I hate the building. It's quite run down. I would love to see New School build a classic limestone and brick tower in its place. When one walks down this stretch of 5th, the buildings are all so ornate and magnificent, and then one approaches the New School, it jumps out as being unattractive and unkept.

**czsz** · February 6th, 2007, 10:43 PM

It's true that the location could be better.

I think my perspective is also influenced by the fact that I usually approach this building from 14th. When you walk along that (at times still ragged and seedy) street, reaching the austere, uniform limestone canyon of Fifth is somewhat bizarre, but the New School structure brings you back home.

**krulltime** · February 8th, 2007, 11:38 AM

http://www.curbed.com/

Rumblings & Bumblings Responses: NEW School

Answers to Tuesday's development questions below. If you've got a better answer, another question, or a sweet, sweet digital photograph, drop a line to tips@curbed.com.

2) Greenwich Village: The above rendering arrived in our inbox claiming to be the proposed New School building at the southeast corner of 14th and 5th. Our original tipster said Skidmore Owings & Merrill was on the job, though that has not been confirmed. Our take on the design: very new!

**czsz** · February 8th, 2007, 11:48 AM

So much for limestone. It is somewhat cool-looking though, if sadly boxy. I would have liked to see them put something like this nearer the new Cooper Union building on Astor Place.

**lofter1** · February 8th, 2007, 05:01 PM

"somewhat boxy" ...

uh, yeah it is

**londonlawyer** · February 8th, 2007, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by lofter1

"somewhat boxy" ...

uh, yeah it is

I agree. It's retarded, bulky and doesn't even remotely fit in with the area. Whoever designed it is a real jacka.ss. Nevertheless, it's better than the filthy POS that currently occupies the site. Therefore, I hope that the existing POS is razed ASAP.

**lofter1** · February 8th, 2007, 05:19 PM

It will be a big book-end for that block with the new 8 Union Square South - Condo building at the east end ...

**londonlawyer** · February 8th, 2007, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by lofter1

It will be a big book-end for that block with the new 8 Union Square South - Condo building at the east end ...

That's a nice, slender building, and the stone exterior is nice. Is it limestone? The douch.es at the New School should consult John Jay and Cooper Union re: nice designs for scholastic buildings.

**lofter1** · February 8th, 2007, 05:42 PM

NOT limestone -- it's pre-cast concrete-ish stuff -- pics of panels HERE (pre-installation)

**BrooklynRider** · February 8th, 2007, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by londonlawyer

I agree. It's retarded, bulky and doesn't even remotely fit in with the area. Whoever designed it is a real jacka.ss. Nevertheless, it's better than the filthy POS that currently occupies the site. Therefore, I hope that the existing POS is razed ASAP.

Sometimes your eloquence speaks my mind perfectly. Mucho gracias.

**londonlawyer** · February 8th, 2007, 07:21 PM

My pleasure. However, I must refrain from such candor in the future because Stern deemed this language to be offensive. Ergo, from here on end, I will speak like Mitt Romney!

**NoyokA** · February 8th, 2007, 07:46 PM

You can follow the forum rules of conduct or risk getting banned, the choice is entirely yours.

**londonlawyer** · February 8th, 2007, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Stern

You can follow the forum rules of conduct or risk getting banned, the choice is entirely yours.

As I said, I will speak like Mitt Romney. However, I don't think that I use worse language than others. Nevertheless, if there is a particular focus upon me, for whatever reason, I will be a role model for squeaky clean posts.