Movement on Landmarking 184 Kent Avenue

The Landmarks Preservation Commission has decided to hold a hearing on landmarking 184 Kent Avenue, a/k/a the Austin-Nichols Warehouse. This is major progress on a step that many in the historic preservation community consider overdue.

Designed by Cass Gilbert (of Woolworth Building and Brooklyn Army Terminal fame) in 1913, the building has hosted a range of warehousing, light manufacturing, and artistic uses in recent years. Most recently, the owners were denied a variance to convert the building's facade and to put a massive four-story extension on the roof. Because of the recent rezoning, the owners are allowed as-of-right to convert the building to all residential use and to put residential towers on top of the building.

Picture courtesy Historic Districts Council

Between Java & Kent

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A few years back, the City's Economic Development Corporation stablized the East River bulkhead between Java and Kent Streets in Greenpoint. For at least two years, the public had access to this stretch of the waterfront between Kent and Java.

But over the winter of '04-'05 the property owner fenced off the portion of the waterfront accessible from Java St and closed the gate on Kent St. This has reduced by 3/4 the amount of space available to the public for fishing, suntanning, and contemplation.

Hopefully this is not a sign of how the waterfront will be treated in between now and when the private-public shorewalk is built.

Greenpoint from the Air

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View of Greenpoint (with Williamsburg in the foreground) from the area. The tallest building in Greenpoint when this picture was taken (Sep 20, 2004) is the 1875 St. Anthony's church at 862 Manhattan Ave. Its white spire visible at the right/middle of the picture is 240 feet tall.

Greenpoint Terminal Market Beginning Renovations

The two concrete-faced buildings on the neighborhood side of West St (pictured above) have construction permits for internal demolition.

42 West St: (filed 4/26) "Proposed filing to remove stairs, to create at a later date, and remove elevator shafts. No change in use, occupancy or egress under this application."

60 West St: (filed 2/9) "Proposed interior demolition of partitions, disconnection of plumbing fixtures & mechanical. No change in occupancy, use or egress under this application."

The architect is Scarano & Associates

Welcome To Greenpointer

This blog will track new development in Greenpoint (and Williamsburg). Feel free to send suggestions, tips, & photos to m [dot] fs [at] verizon [dot] net.