LPC hearing today on controversial development proposed for NoHo Historic District Extension

The Landmarks Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing today at 3:30 p.m. on a proposal to build a 220-foot-tall, 228-foot-wide apartment building on the corner of Lafayette and Great Jones Streets in the NoHo Historic District Extension.

This NE corner has been an Edison parking lot since the early 1970s. While no one (except maybe car owners) may miss the lot, the project's size has raised concerns from preservationists and local elected officials.

According to Crain's this past November, Edward J. Minskoff Equities and Edison Properties are behind this "luxury rental project," which would span between roughly 260,000 and 300,000 square feet with 238 residential units and 10,000 square feet of retail space."

Minskoff, the developer behind 51 Astor Place/Death Star, closed on a 99-year ground lease for the property in June, per Crain's. 

Here's a look at the proposed building, per a recent presentation...

The current proposal shows 200-210 residences over in the two-building complex with 50-53 deemed "affordable units" for people who make 60% of the area's median income — roughly $77,000 annually for a two-person household.

District 2 City Councilmember Harvey Epstein told Gothamist he wants to see more affordable housing attached to this project. (The Times has more here.)

According to Village Preservation, the proposed building's bulk and design raise concerns. In a statement about the plan, the group said that "the massive scale and monotonous design are overwhelming and need to be substantially reconfigured."

Village Preservation added that while the site will likely be developed, the details matter: "This parking lot site will be developed, but what that development looks like matters, and it's the job of the Commission to ensure it's done right."

Last month, Community Board 2 passed a resolution that, in part, recommended: 

A. Denial of the application unless meaningful changes are made to reduce the actual bulk, keeping the minimum size necessary to preserve the proposed square footage for affordable housing apartments; and

B. Unless materials and detailing referencing historic design principles to reduce the perceived height and flatness and present a more harmonious appearance with the historic buildings adjacent, across the street, and in the neighborhood...

 To date, no work permits have been filed for the address, 375 Lafayette St./20 Great Jones St. Crain's noted that the developers hope to break ground next year. 

Crain's also pointed out that this project is "an example of both the promise and pitfalls of New York's contentious affordable housing tax break 485-x." 

The developers had once considered putting an office building on the site, but the 2021 SoHo/NoHo rezoning — which opened the door to more residential projects — along with the 2024 485-x affordable-housing tax break reportedly made an apartment development far more appealing. 

Today's hearing on this item is estimated to be at 3:30. Village Preservation has info on attending in person or remotely here.