This might be a first for Toll Brothers in NYC...
Variety Theater on Third Avenue to be replaced by a 21-story condo tower
16-NOV-05
Toll Brothers plans to erect a 21-story residential condominium tower with 77 units on the mid-block site of the Variety Arts Theater at 110 Third Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets.
David van Spreckelsen, the director of acquisition and marketing for the New York City office of Toll Brothers, told CityRealty today that the project would be "as-of-right," that is, built within existing building and zoning regulations.
In addition to the theater’s site, the development also includes 108 Third Avenue, now occupied by a four-story building.
Greenberg Farrow is the architect for the new building. Toll Brothers, one of the nation’s largest developers of luxury homes, is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
The Variety Arts Theater opened prior to World War I as a nickelodeon and its three-story, red-brick building was renovated in 1930 and again in 1991. It had 498 seats and was used for many Off-Broadway productions such as "Return to the Forbidden Planet" in 1991, "Annie Warbucks" in 1993, "Death Defying Acts" in 1995, "Zombie Prom" in 1996, "June Moon" in 1998, "Dinner with Friends" in 1999, "Reefer Madness" in 2001, "Endpapers" in 2002, "Ominium Gatherium" in 2003 and "The Joys of Sex" in 2004. The theater closed in October, 2004.
The theater had a large marquee and was around the corner from the very large Academy of Music theater that was converted to the Palladium disco and it was also around the corner from Julian’s Billiards. In recent years, New York University has erected several large dormitory buildings nearby including one on the Palladium site and another on the former site of Luchow’s, the famous German restaurant that was a few doors west of the Palladium site on 14th Street.
Copyright © 1994-2005 CITY REALTY
If we're lucky the hideous building to the north (on left in the photo) would have something serious done to it --485 Fifth Avenue will be converted to 104 condo apartments
Four floors will be added to the brown-brick, 10-story building, which will also have 26,000 square feet of retail space.
Best option: Tear it down and start fresh. Go taller. More Glass.
I dont know how feasable that is. Supposendly sliver buildings are illegal today.Originally Posted by lofter1
Why are they illegal? What's the harm in them to the public?
I can tell you what the harm is in a big, fat blockbuster building that sprawls scalelessly over an entire blockfront, requiring blanket demolition and spreading tedium.
Technically I believe that "sliver" buildings are defined as those on lots with a width of 25' ...
Here's some background on sliver buildings in NYC:
Allowance for sliver buildings (narrow lot, built above allowable FAR) is governed by text in the Zoning Resolution 72-21 on variances, particularly:
"(c) that the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the zoning lot is located; will not substantially impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property; and will not be detrimental to the public welfare"**************************************
An article on the Austrian Cultural Forum building:
http://www.architectureweek.com/2002...esign_1-1.html
At only 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide, the Austrian Cultural Forum recalls the "sliver building" craze of the 1980s and 90s, when developers in New York raced to raise emaciated towers on sites formerly occupied by lower structures not much wider than a townhouse.
Designed by architecture professor, architect, and theorist Raimund Abraham, who has taught at Cooper Union for the past 30 years, the ACF exhibits both the "thrills and spills" of buildings on such narrow sites.
**********************************************
From the Historic Districts Council website ( http://www.hdc.org/testimonyfeb2205.htm ) regarding a proposed building on Broadway in the Flatiron District:
Hearing Date: 2/22/2005
LPC Docket Number: 053944
Manhattan, Block: 846, Lot: 55
868 Broadway - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A Greek Revival style rowhouse constructed in 1847-48, altered in 1850 and the 1920's. Application is to request that the Landmarks Preservation Commission issue a report to the City Planning Commisison relating to an application for an Authorization pursuant to Section 23-111 of the Zoning Resolution.
HDC Testimony
HDC did not testify, but later sent the following letter:
Dear Commissioner Tierney:
I am writing to you on behalf of the Historic Districts Council regarding Certificate of Appropriateness 054790, an application to construct a new 15-story building on a parking lot within the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. At the time of the hearing, the Historic Districts Council did not present testimony. However, after viewing the presentation of the project and reading through the careful research done by Christabel Gough of the Society for the Architecture of the City, we would like to voice our opposition to this project.
This building, at 25 feet wide and 150 feet tall, situated in mid block, quite obviously falls within the definition of a “sliver building.” As you are aware, “sliver buildings” were banned by City Planning in a number of neighborhoods in the 1980’s due to their disruptive force on streetscapes. This type of development, contrary to evidence presented at the hearing, is quite alien to this district. While there are many buildings of varying heights, and some buildings of similar height to the proposed building within the historic district, they are situated between buildings of comparable heights. We fear that allowing for a building with a height differential of approximately 90 feet on both sides would not only set a terrible precedent within the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, but open the door to similar developments in other historic districts.
While we do not object to the basic design of this building, its massing, height, and relationship to the surrounding buildings and the district is not appropriate. We respectfully urge the Commission to deny this application, and to request a redesign from the applicant. We do not object to a new building on this site, but this new building must be more contextual than what has been proposed by the applicant.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Simeon Bankoff
Executive Director
I don't believe the ugly sucker in question fits into the technical definition of a "sliver"; it appears to be on a 50' wide lot. although a variance might be necessary to build higher than what currently exists.
My wife and I sold our WV condo and put a deposit on one of these units. We are pretty excited...Chelsea House construction progress on West 19th Street
Copyright © 1994-2005 CITY REALTY
Will there be ground-level retail in these buildings? The midblock portion of 19th, 20th, 21st, etc between 6th and 7th are still pretty desolate in terms of retail. 6th Avenue has a lot of retail in this area, obviously, but 7th avenue in these blocks is a lot less active---it's broken up by the substation on the east side of 7th between 18th and 19th. And on the west side of 7th (between 18th and 19th), there's that apartment building (Chatwin House?)that has no retail on the first floor.
Chelsea House construction progress on West 19th Street
17-NOV-05
Construction is up to the seventh floor at Chelsea House, a development of the Clarett Group, at 130 West 19th Street.
The mid-block building will be 13 stories high and has been designed by Randy Gerner of Gerner Kronick Valcarcel Architects. The developer and the same architect were also responsible for the Opus apartment building at 2770 Broadway and the Post Luminaria apartment building at 385 First Avenue at East 23rd Street.
This building will have large, multi-paned windows and fluted exposed concrete mullions and the center of its façade is slightly angled inwards.
The building will have several terraces and 64 apartments including “townhouse” units ranging from 1,374 to 1,926 square feet of interior space and 128 to 179 square feet of exterior space. It will also over 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units.
The building will have 24-hour concierge service, a fitness center, a residents’ screening room, individual resident storage, landscaped backyard gardens, and ceilings that range from 9 feet 4 inches to 11 feet 4 inches. Several of the apartments will have fritted glass side-lites framing some windows. Each apartment will have a washer and dryer and exotic Jatoba hardwood flooring.
This building is directly across 19th Street from another new project, the conversion of a 83-year-old building at 121 West 19th Street. That project, known as the Lion’s Head Condominium has 67 apartments. Both projects are very close to the Ladies’ Mile shopping district along the Avenue of the Americas to the east and Fire Company 3 to the west on the corner at Seventh Avenue.
Copyright © 1994-2005 CITY REALTY
There is no retail in the building. There is a super's apartment and common areas (gym, meeting room, etc) facing the street at ground level. The back has duplexes facing a garden. We put a deposit on one of the rear-facing duplexes.
You are correct, there is not retail much on this street, but there is a hardware store! It is also steps away from 6th which has plenty. 7th avenue is a lot quieter than 6th, and is more geared toward dining. Having lived on 6th Avenue for the past 4 years, this "seclusion" is a welcome change of pace.
Re: "sliver" buildings ...
I think the tide has turned on this type of construction. Witness "Sky House" as a perfect example of City Planning being much more open regarding Zoning 72-21: http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/sh...5&postcount=19
This guys sound good! Anyone knows where to find a bigger rendering? Website?
Herzog & de Meuron reported architects of new condo building at 40 Bond Street
18-NOV-05
Ian Schrager, the hotelier, and Aby Rosen, the developer, are reported to have commissioned Herzog & de Meuron to design a 10-story, glass-clad, mid-block at 40 Bond Street with 30 loft condominium apartments, five townhouses and a three-room hotel.
The site, a former parking lot that has been cleared, is east of Lafayette Street.
According to the Triple Mint website, the Swiss architects, who have won the Pritzker Prize, will "re-imagine the classic cast iron building – only without the iron," adding that "the entire façade will be fashioned from glass pieces made in Barcelona."
Herzog & de Meuron are most famous for their redesign of a powerplant in London into the Tate Modern Museum, their plans for the main stadium for the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, and work for the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the de Young Museum in San Francisco and the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas.
Mr. Schrager and Mr. Rosen are partners in the 50 Gramercy Square Park North redevelopment.
In 2003, Mr. Schrager had planned a hotel for this site with Richard Born and Ira Drucker but changed plans for a 14-story, 65-unit residential building designed by Gary Handel.
Copyright © 1994-2005 CITY REALTY
Seems nothing else is available yet. Gutter / Curbed were moaning about that yesterday.
Another new tower for Avenue of the Americas.... Close to all the cluster of new towers.
Adellco plans condo tower at 28th Street and Sixth Avenue
Nobember 18, 2005
Adellco LLC is planning to build a residential condo tower of about 30 stories on the northwest corner of 28th Street and the Avenue of the Americas.
The site, which extends about half way to 29th Street, is now vacant.
According to Ann Eber, a vice president of Adellco, Costas Kondylis is the architect. She told CityRealty.com that plans were preliminary and that further details were not yet available.
The building will probably have the address of 815 Avenue of the Americas.
Adellco is run by Matthew Adell, who developed the 37-story Capitol at 55 West 26th Street in 2001 and the 36-story Ashton at 800 Sixth Avenue in 2004.
Copyright © 1994-2005 CITY REALTY
Another chance to give us a pile of bricks.Adellco LLC is planning to build a residential condo tower of about 30 stories on the northwest corner of 28th Street and the Avenue of the Americas.
...Costas Kondylis is the architect.
These people are truly retarded. There's an absolutely horrible strech of Broadway between 23rd Street and 29th Street that has scary people constantly congregating there and some truly disgusting, dilapidated buildings. Ironically, that same stretch has many magnificent buildings. I've always been amazed that the crap is not redeveloped. If, and when the crap is redeveloped, this stretch pf B'Way will be absolutely stunning. That anyone can complain about the development of a parking lot on this presently shi..tty portion of B'Way is unbelieveable.Technically I believe that "sliver" buildings are defined as those on lots with a width of 25' ...
Here's some background on sliver buildings in NYC:
Allowance for sliver buildings (narrow lot, built above allowable FAR) is governed by text in the Zoning Resolution 72-21 on variances, particularly:
"(c) that the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the zoning lot is located; will not substantially impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property; and will not be detrimental to the public welfare"**************************************
An article on the Austrian Cultural Forum building:
http://www.architectureweek.com/2002...esign_1-1.html
At only 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide, the Austrian Cultural Forum recalls the "sliver building" craze of the 1980s and 90s, when developers in New York raced to raise emaciated towers on sites formerly occupied by lower structures not much wider than a townhouse.
Designed by architecture professor, architect, and theorist Raimund Abraham, who has taught at Cooper Union for the past 30 years, the ACF exhibits both the "thrills and spills" of buildings on such narrow sites.
**********************************************
From the Historic Districts Council website ( http://www.hdc.org/testimonyfeb2205.htm ) regarding a proposed building on Broadway in the Flatiron District:
Hearing Date: 2/22/2005
LPC Docket Number: 053944
Manhattan, Block: 846, Lot: 55
868 Broadway - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A Greek Revival style rowhouse constructed in 1847-48, altered in 1850 and the 1920's. Application is to request that the Landmarks Preservation Commission issue a report to the City Planning Commisison relating to an application for an Authorization pursuant to Section 23-111 of the Zoning Resolution.
HDC Testimony
HDC did not testify, but later sent the following letter:
Dear Commissioner Tierney:
I am writing to you on behalf of the Historic Districts Council regarding Certificate of Appropriateness 054790, an application to construct a new 15-story building on a parking lot within the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. At the time of the hearing, the Historic Districts Council did not present testimony. However, after viewing the presentation of the project and reading through the careful research done by Christabel Gough of the Society for the Architecture of the City, we would like to voice our opposition to this project.
This building, at 25 feet wide and 150 feet tall, situated in mid block, quite obviously falls within the definition of a “sliver building.” As you are aware, “sliver buildings” were banned by City Planning in a number of neighborhoods in the 1980’s due to their disruptive force on streetscapes. This type of development, contrary to evidence presented at the hearing, is quite alien to this district. While there are many buildings of varying heights, and some buildings of similar height to the proposed building within the historic district, they are situated between buildings of comparable heights. We fear that allowing for a building with a height differential of approximately 90 feet on both sides would not only set a terrible precedent within the Ladies’ Mile Historic District, but open the door to similar developments in other historic districts.
While we do not object to the basic design of this building, its massing, height, and relationship to the surrounding buildings and the district is not appropriate. We respectfully urge the Commission to deny this application, and to request a redesign from the applicant. We do not object to a new building on this site, but this new building must be more contextual than what has been proposed by the applicant.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Simeon Bankoff
Executive Director
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