City Council Rejects 8-Story Hotel Next To Merchant House

EAST VILLAGE, NY — The City Council unanimously voted down a developer's zoning change to build an eight-story hotel beside the landmarked Merchant's House Museum — putting a nail in the coffin for the controversial project.

Developer Kalodop II Park Corp. proposed the zoning text amendment to build an extended stay hotel at 27 East Fourth Street abutting the 186-year-old Merchant's House Museum.

Builders have sought approvals for the project for years and preservationists fought the proposal, fearing it would damage the historic Merchant's House, which has been harmed from neighboring construction before.

Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, whose district includes the lots, has argued that the zoning change isn't necessary when the developer could use an existing resolution to achieve the same effect, but with the added bonus of maintaining the adjacent landmark.

The council's vote sent Kalodop back to the drawing board, but the developer could still build a version of the project as of right on the land. Kalodop also owns 403 Lafayette St. around the corner and Rivera is continuing talks with the developer on the most appropriate location for the hotel.

"We want to make sure that we have ongoing discussions with them because of how important the Merchant’s House is to us," Rivera told Patch after the Wednesday vote. "We were exploring 403 Lafayette Street, and we do think that is a better site for this kind of business, and so we’re going to continue to talk to them and make sure they know that we are trying to come to the table fairly."

Kalodop II Park Corp. could not be reached for comment.

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