Landmarks Commission finally approves Kushner’s Puck Building extension

Jared Kushner, principal of the Kushner Companies, and the Puck Building

After various delays and discussions, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted this morning to approve a highly scaled-back version of Kushner Companies’ proposed penthouse additions to the landmarked Puck Building at 295 Lafayette Street, it was announced today.

The approved additions are now 20 feet shorter, according to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, which fought against the original proposal, and the size has been reduced by about 1,500 square feet. While the original proposal was prominently visible for many blocks to the north, east, and west of the building, much of the new version is practically invisible from the west, the society said.

News of the proposed rooftop extension broke in August and has been rejected several times by Landmarks since, largely on the basis of its original scale.

Jared Kushner said he was “very pleased with the outcome,” adding that “the final result will enable [the company] to build a spectacular addition, which is very much in line with the character of the building, which is very special and unique.”

Kushner declined to comment on the timeline for construction on the extension or any other details.

“We are very glad that the Landmarks Preservation Commission listened to calls from New Yorkers to reject prior versions of this proposal which would have overwhelmed and fundamentally changed one of our city’s most iconic and beloved landmark,” said Andrew Berman, executive director of the GVSHP, in response to the approval. “Only time will tell if the final, scaled-back version approved by Landmarks today is truly worthy of this great New York landmark.”

Kushner Companies is planning to convert the top floors of the 10-story building into a six-unit, high-end condominium with apartments ranging from $15 million to $50 million. — Katherine Clarke