Haute Hippie founders fight Village developer to save plants

The designers claim construction would steal their sunshine

Jesse Cole and Trish Westcoat-Pound and West 11th Street.
Jesse Cole and Trish Westcoat-Pound and West 11th Street.

The founders of clothing brand Haute Hippie are lawyering up once again – this time to fight a sunlight-blocking Green­wich Village redevelopment.

Former Haute Hippie owners Jesse Warner Cole and Trish Wescoat Pound are attempting to block developer The Jackson Group from renovating the property next door to their home at West 11th Street, according to the New York Post.

They claim that the work would deprive their back yard and kitchen of sunlight.

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“Do not install and take my sunlight or views away. Do not,” Cole warned the developer this summer, according to the suit.

“Of particular concern is that Jesse’s yard contains expensive plantings that will likely be harmed when the protective scaffolding is erected — which we understand will eliminate all natural light on the kitchen and plantings,’’ the couple’s lawyer told the post.

Initially, the couple had worked with the developer, accepting $200,000 for “air rights” as well as access to their property. The developer says they have now reneged on the deal, according to court papers. [NYP]Christopher Cameron

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