Community Board 1’s Special Landmarks Committee presented its resolution regarding Howard Hughes Corporation’s South Street Seaport development. The panel wants the Landmarks Preservation Commission to extend historic district boundaries to include the site of the development’s showpiece, a 494-foot tower.
As of now, the committee has no say over the tower site, which sits outside of historic district bounds. The New Market building, which is currently on the site, would be demolished to make way for the structure.
Howard Hughes Corporation scaled back plans for the tower from 52 stories to 42 stories in November after facing community and city opposition.
The remainder of the resolution mixed support for the project with concerns. The committee endorsed dismantling the Tin Building and constructing a new building using certain original elements, but did not support a one-story addition. Howard Hughes’ Chris Curry said that the space would be used for “cultural” purposes, but the committee does not govern uses, Curbed reported.
The panel also had initial concerns about a canopy to be constructed over the roof field on the Pier 17 mall, but was convinced to support it.
The board’s Special Landmarks Committee passed the resolution 10-0, clearing the way for it to go before the entire community board on Jan. 26. The result of that meeting will determine the recommendation sent to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. [Curbed] — Tess Hofmann