Landmarks commission likely to approve St. Vincent’s tower in July

Members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission said this week they were almost ready to approve the residential portion of the St. Vincent’s hospital redevelopment project, but some hope to shrink the tower once more. The newest version of the plan reduced the height of the building, at 1 Seventh Avenue, to 218 feet high from 233 feet. The building, which is being developed by Rudin Management, was originally planned to be 265 feet high. While several commissioners said they were comfortable with the new height, others hope to cut it down by one more floor. Robert Tierney, chairperson of the commission, said the project has come a long way since it was introduced more than a year ago, and that the commission would meet to vote on final approval of the project in early July.