Local leaders shoot down landmark status for Park Lane Hotel

Steve Witkoff bought the site for $660M last year

Park Lane Hotel at 36 Central Park South
Park Lane Hotel at 36 Central Park South

The landmarks committee of Midtown’s Community Board 5 gave the thumbs down to the Park Lane Hotel’s bid to win the special designation.

The request to become both an exterior and interior landmark was rejected on Monday night, according to Curbed. The community board’s landmark and preservation committee does not hold deciding power, but recommends its decision to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Harry Helmsley commissioned Emory Roth & Sons to design the 46-story building at 36 Central Park South, which was completed in 1971.

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Developer Steven Witkoff bought the building last year for $660 million. With multiple skyscrapers rising in the area — the hotel is a block away from “billionaire’s row” on 57th Street — rumor has it that Witkoff could demolish the building and construct a new tower. No formal proposal, however, has been made.

A small group of individuals has been seeking to secure landmark status for the hotel. Insiders have speculated that their campaign is a front for someone who does not want to see an super-tall tower built on the land.  [Curbed] — Claire Moses