Looming 10-Story Tower Nears Approval On St. Mark's Place: Report

EAST VILLAGE, NY — Developers who want to build a 10-story office building on St. Mark's Place with air rights from a nearby landmark got the initial go-ahead from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Curbed reported.

LPC approved the request from Real Estate Equities Corporation, which was seeking to buy $4 million in air rights from the landmarked Hamilton-Holly House across the street — though the commission was reluctant to do so, Curbed reported.

Under the deal, 5 percent of the $4 million — or $200,000 — would go to maintaining the landmark, Patch previously reported. Even if the funds run dry, the landmark's owner would be required to preserve the 1830's property, once home to Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, the widow of Alexander Hamilton. Landmarks was voting on how "harmonious" the new building at 4 St. Mark's Pl. would be to the landmark across the street.

"I think we get a lot for the landmark here. The piece that is required to have that harmonious relationship almost has no relationship," LPC Chair Sarah Carroll said Tuesday, as reported by Curbed. "In some ways, I think it’s that there’s not a bad relationship because it almost has no relationship, and in exchange we get a restoration."

In April, the commission debated the proposal to buy the air rights from Hamilton-Holly at 4 St. Mark's Place. Commissioners sent REEC and the architect, Morris Adjmi Architects, back to the drawing board to adjust the design slightly.

On Tuesday, architects said the setback will be recessed by eight feet instead of four, Curbed wrote.

Community Board 3 voted against the proposal in February.

Several testified against the plan — referencing how 3 St. Mark's Place at Third Avenue is the entrance of the historic East Village. Co-chair of CB 3's Landmarks Committee, Carolyn Ratcliffe, said at the time, "It destroys the whole feel of that block, which is really historic."

But, REEC could build a building nearly as tall without the additional air rights under an as-of-right plan.

Now that Landmarks has voted in support of REEC's plans, the commission will send a report to the City Planning Commission. REEC is requesting CPC issue a special permit for the air rights deal and other zoning modifications for the plan.

See here for Curbed's full report on Tuesday's vote.