Tin Pan Alley Is NYC Landmark After Decade Long Fight

CHELSEA, NY — Five buildings called Tin Pan Alley in Chelsea known for housing famous sheet music publishers and musicians are officially New York City landmarks, the Landmarks Preservation Commission announced Tuesday.

The five buildings along West 28th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue "paved the way for what would become 'the Great American Songbook'" commission chair Sarah Carroll said in a statement after the buildings were designated.

Tin Pan Alley was where iconic American songs like "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and "God Bless America" were published and became central to American sheet music publishers growth, particularly between 1893 and 1910, according to the commission. Dozens of musicians and publishers' offices were housed in the five Italianate-style row houses, which got its namesake from the noisy racket of piano music that made the block sound like tin pans banging against each other.

"Together, these five buildings represent one of the most important and diverse contributions to popular culture," Carroll said of the five buildings, at 47, 49, 51, 53, and 55 West 28th St.

The owner of the building Yair Levy — a controversial landlord that former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman once called a "predator" for tenants — has previously said through his attorney he doesn't want the buildings landmarked. The historic buildings were where some racist song titles were written, according to Levy's lawyer.

But preservationists have argued those claims are "dubious" and say the controversial history of Tin Pan Alley helps inform future generations, as well as showcases the work of African-American and Jewish musicians who do have roots along the corridor.

"Like much of American history, the story of Tin Pan Alley is complex and controversial, but preventing its demolition will give future generations the opportunity to learn from it," City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who represents the area, said in a statement.

Tin Pan Alley's publishing haven brought in African-American and Jewish artists and publishers to the fold, some joining their own pages in the history about the area, such as Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington, James Reese Europe, and others.

"Tin Pan Alley made it possible for African-American composers like my grandfather to promote their talents to the broader public," said, James Reese Europe, III, the grandson of African-American composer James Reese Europe.

"My grandfather had many of his early compositions published by music publishers once located on this block," he added.

Preservationists have advocated for this landmarking since about 2007, Simeon Bankoff of the Historic Districts Council told Patch earlier this year. His group has also recommended landmark designation for six other buildings along West 28th Street.

In a statement Tuesday, Bankoff said, "This long-sought designation is remarkable in strongly demonstrating that sites of cultural significance bring enormous value to our city and are deserving of official protection."