<< Back
Landmarks
Proposed new building at 30 West 19th Street and addition to 620 6th Avenue
WHEREAS, 620 Avenue of the Americas (620 6th Avenue), the former Siegel Cooper Dry Goods Store, once the largest department store in New York City, covering over 15 acres of selling space, designed by Delemos and Cordes, architects, and built in 1895 -1899, is located in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and
WHEREAS, This eclectic Beaux Arts store was built by a European trained firm for the entrepreneurs Henry Siegel and Frank Cooper, and once boasted an upper level entrance directly from the platform of 6th Avenue El,: and
WHEREAS, Siegel came from Chicago, where his attitudes towards marketing and retail had been shaped by his encounter with the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition which inspired him to use monumental architectural expression to attract customers to his store; and
WHEREAS, The prior owners of the building received approval in 1990 from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to construct a 110,000 sq. ft. occupy able rooftop addition plus rooftop mechanical additions which have never been built; and
WHEREAS, The current owner is applying for:
-
a 70,000 sq. ft. occupy able rooftop addition plus rooftop mechanical additions;
-
a new 13 story plus 3 story penthouse building infill addition at 30 West 19th Street, to contain a new 270 room hotel in a former parking lot; and
WHEREAS, The new rooftop additions will be less visible than the additions that the applicant already has approval to build; and
WHEREAS, The materials (masonry, metal and glass) and design of the new hotel addition are harmonious with the design of the existing building; and
WHEREAS, The 3 story penthouse addition will be set back 26 1/2 ' instead of the 15' required by Zoning, so that it will be less visible from the street; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for rooftop additions and the new 13 story plus 3 story penthouse building addition for a hotel, as detailed by the applicant at 620 Avenue of the Americas.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.