Over owner’s protests, city landmarks Strand bookstore
It’s official: The home of the Strand bookstore is now a historical site, and the owners are not happy....
Landmarks Preservation Commission
About: The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is the government agency that designates historic landmarks and districts for New York City.
Headquarters: New York City
Founded in: 1965
Founded by: Mayor Robert F. Wagner
Landmarks Preservation Commission Q&A
What is the Landmarks Preservation Commission known for?
The Landmarks Preservation Commission is known for its power to decide which New York areas, buildings, statues, and other landmarks can be designated ‘historic’ and therefore protected against demolition and certain changes. The Commission was established in 1965 and is made up of an 11-person board of experts and New York residents who are appointed by the mayor of New York. It was created to slow the pace of demolition of historic buildings. The inciting incident for the Commission's formation was the destruction of the original Penn Station, an architecturally significant building. The original Penn Station was demolished in 1963 to make way for the modern Madison Square Garden and new underground version of the station. This garnered outrage internationally and from New Yorkers.
Who runs the Landmarks Preservation Commission?
The Commission is decided by the mayor and therefore subject to change. As of November 2019, the members are Sarah Carroll (Chair), Frederick Bland (Vice-Chair), Diana Chapin, Wellington Chen, Michael Devonshire, Michael Goldblum, John Gustafsson, Anne Holford-Smith, Jeanne Lutfy, Adi Shamir-Baron, and Everardo Jefferson.
Why is the Landmarks Preservation Commission important to the real estate industry?
Since it has the power to deem certain buildings or areas “protected”, the Commission has the power to both increase the value and the restrictions on real estate. “Historic” designation can make a building or area more desirable, but it also comes with strict rules that can inhibit developers and landlords from making changes or improvements.
Want to learn more about the Landmarks Preservation Commission?
Check out our Top Stories below for TRD’s most up-to-date coverage of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Landmarks Preservation Commission Top Stories
June 11, 2019—It's official: The home of the Strand bookstore is now a historical site, and the owners are not happy.
February 12, 2019—The Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved the latest design proposal for renovating the iconic 37-story office tower designed by late architect Philip Johnson and John Burgee “with modifications,”
The Latest
Revamped design for 550 Madison receives Landmarks’ approval
UPDATE, Feb. 15, 6:57p.m.: The messy makeover of 550 Madison is officially cleaned up and back on track. The...
The Top 10 preservation fights of 2018
JP Morgan’s new headquarters, the renovations to 550 Madison and rule changes at the Landmarks Preservation Commission were among the top preservation battles of 2018. Here’s a look at the year’s 10 biggest showdowns,...
The Strand’s building could become an official landmark despite owner’s opposition
Landmarking is often seen as way of honoring important buildings, and a defense against excessive development. But what if preserving a building comes at...
550 Madison is now a landmark
The Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the exterior of 550 Madison Avenue a landmark. “This is the building that established postmodernism as a legitimate architectural movement,” LPC vice chair Frederick Bland told Curbed in a...
Beyer Blinder Belle exec Fred Bland to serve as interim Landmarks chair
Fred Bland will take over as the interim chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission until a new chair is...
Developers, good luck trying to go all out in Central Harlem
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to create a new historic district between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton...
City declines to landmark church in Flatbush, clearing way for demolition
The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission has decided not to landmark the Baptist Church of the Redeemer in Flatbush/Ditmas Park,...
The head of Landmarks is resigning
Meenakshi Srinivasan, the head of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, will resign and transfer to the private sector, City Hall confirmed Thursday. Appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio to the helm of the city agency...
Preservationists seek to stop changes to landmarking process
Preservationists aren’t happy with a proposed rule change that would allow more applications to go through the Landmarks Preservation...