Landmarks Commission Approves Overhaul of Mercer Street Parking Garage

SOHO, NY — The nearly century-old parking garage at 165 Mercer St. will be no longer, and there's nothing filmmaker Paul Haggis could do about it.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the overhaul of the building on Tuesday, according to New York YIMBY. The plans for altering the building were first filed back on July 28, but needed approval from the LPC due to its landmark status. The building, built in 1870, is part of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District — which was designated in August 1973. It's served as a parking garage since the 1920s, according to YIMBY.

Haggis, the two-time Oscar winner who lives on Mercer Street, was one of those who showed up at the LPC meeting to push for the building to be preserved.

The new building will host retail on the first floor and cellar, with office space on floors two through 6. The building as it stands now is just five stories, though, with the additional level part of the plans as well.

You can take a look at the redesigned ground floor:

The garage was purchased by the Mercer Parking Garage Corporation in 1969, and the same corporation ran the building until earlier this year. The building was sold by the Mercer Parking Garage Corporation in April after owning it for 47 years, records show.

No word on what the retail space will include, but Mercer Street has become a home to pricey retailers. There's already a Marc Jacobs next door, Kenneth Cole right across the street and Versace, Balenciaga and Vera Wang stores on the block.

Photo Credit: Google Maps Street View