New condos, old facade to rise at 74 Grand

New condos could soon rise from the site of a demolished cast iron building at 74 Grand Street in Soho, Curbed reported. Just days ago, developer Joshua Holmes bought the land for $4.95 million in an all-cash deal. 

The former co-op building on the lot was finally demolished in 2010, six years after a hasty excavation caused the building to slow tip over. Because the building was within the Cast Iron Historic District, the Landmarks Preservation Commission only allowed the demolition on the condition that the building’s cast iron facade be saved and incorporated on any new building on the site.

Since the facade of the original 118-year-old building is only five-stories high, Holmes will be limited in how tall his project can be. He has hired Bone/Levine Architects to design a structure that maximizes condo space yet stays within the legal parameters. Their vision calls for an eight-story building with a duplex penthouse.

Yesterday the plans for the new structure were unveiled before a Community Board 2 Landmarks Committee hearing. Architect Joe Levine described the design as “caught between two eras” at the meeting. [Curbed] –-Christopher Cameron