For the past 15-plus years, Kalodop II Park Corp. has been trying to put in a new development at the current site of a one-level garage that stores food carts.
We hadn't heard anything new about the project since December 2023, when the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved plans for an 8-story hotel next door to the landmarked Merchant's House Museum.
Here's how the Merchant's House reacted to the new-building update, per an Instagram post over the weekend:
We just learned that the developer has applied to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a NEW building next door. The proposed building is not only taller than the previous design, but also adds more bulk. All of which heightens the risk of irreparable damage and the real possibility of collapse!As you may remember, in December 2023, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved plans for another building (8 stories) next door. They also instructed the developers to conduct a study of our landmark interior plaster. The developers never did; instead, they have filed these new plans.
Preservationists, not to mention the leadership of Merchant's House, the circa-1832 building, were concerned that the construction could permanently damage the structure, one of only six residences in NYC that is both an exterior and an interior landmark.
Local elected officials and Community Board 2 have all opposed the previous application for the 8-story hotel.
Learn more about the Merchant's House, currently undergoing an exterior restoration project, here... and at Village Preservation here.
Previously on EV Grieve:
8 comments:
I'm a longtime donor to the Merchant's house; it's tragic what's being done to it.
Thank you for reporting on this, Grieve.
As long as the developer ensures safety of the Merchant's house, i see no issue with this.
This is a big issue. That entire area is being developed with high rises as you can see by recent EVG articles. Anyone in the neighborhood for any amount of time is aware of developer creep, where all of a sudden there is an additional floor or three added onto already approved plans. Developers have done this with and without approval and certainly without regard for the neighborhood or the quality of life and infrastructure for neighbors. On top of this this is one of the few historically landmarked buildings and interiors and recent Mayoral admins have allowed rampant development. There is a Zoom meeting about it with Community Board Three 2/11 at 5:30 before it goes to the Landmark Commission.
I don’t understand the issue with this as long as the Merchant House in unharmed. It is currently a parking garage for food carts!
O no! Tall buildings in Manhattan!
The issue is that the landmarked building has irreplaceable Nineteenth Century ornamental plasterwork which would be seriously endangered by the vibration of the demolition and subsequent construction.
Came here to say that; most of the posters here seem to be unaware of the fragile status of the Merchant's House and why it needs to be protected.
One more facet of the Merchant's House's historical value came to light the other day when a passageway showing the Merchant's House as a stop on the Underground Railway was uncovered: https://ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/news/2026/02/10/safe-house-linked-to-the-underground-railroad-discovered-in-manhattan
Actually what is/maybe was great about this neighborhood is being able to see the sky.
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