Designer Diane von Furstenberg has changed her mind about the controversial Gansevoort redevelopment project.
Furstenberg, who has a clothing store in the Meatpacking District at 874 Washington Street, withdrew her signature from the Save Gansevoort petition, saying that after reviewing the development plan “in more detail,” she is no longer against the project, Women’s Wear Daily reported.
The massive development planned for the stretch of Gansevoort Street has inspired a wave of opposition, with community members arguing that the street is one of the last vestiges of the historic Meatpacking District. An opposition group, Save Gansevoort, has been urging the Landmark Preservation Commission to reject plans for two new buildings on the street.
Aurora Capital Associates and William Gottlieb Real Estate plan to renovate and convert nine buildings along Gansevoort Row — 46-74 Gansevoort Street — which would create nearly 111,000 square feet of commercial space
Furstenberg and her husband, Barry Diller, are working on a project of their own. Through their nonprofit, the couple is bankrolling the elevated park, Pier55, in Hudson River Park. The couple donated $130 million to the project in 2014. [WWD] — Kathryn Brenzel