Landmark status for Meier-designed village housing complex

The Richard Meier-designed Westbeth housing complex, located at 463 West Street in the West Village, has finally achieved landmark status, Curbed reported.

The 383 units, which were originally designed as live-work spaces for artists, are housed within 13 buildings, comprising an entire city block, bound on the north by Bethune Street; on the east by Washington Street; on the south by Bank Street; and on the west by West Street. They were designed by Meier in 1968, before he became famous.

Preservationists have been campaigning for the buildings to be landmarked since 2004, Curbed noted. They’re already on the state and national registers of historic places. The complex is reportedly in a state of disrepair, and requires plumbing and roof fixes.

Westbeth has been home to a number of influential artists including photographer Diane Arbus and actor Robert de Niro. [Curbed]