As The Living Church magazine first reported, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved the transfer on July 21, allowing the historic church at 131 E. 10th St. at Second Avenue to sell air rights (aka transferable development rights).
The rights would be transferred to a development site at 50-64 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. Kinsmen Property Group, a joint venture between State Building Group and Madison Group, is planning a residential building of up to 160,000 square feet at the site, as we've been reporting.
The deal is notable because the receiving property isn't directly adjacent to St. Mark's. Changes enacted under the city's City of Yes zoning overhaul expanded where landmarked properties can transfer their unused development rights.
The process came before Community Board 3 in June, when members approved a continuing maintenance plan required for the transfer. Beyer Blinder Belle Architects conducted a conditions survey of the church and developed a plan that prioritizes critical repairs, with additional maintenance taking place over several years.
The sale is expected to close by year’s end. Until then, details of the agreement, including the sale price, remain confidential.
According to The Living Church, the sale will provide greater financial stability for maintaining the landmark while allowing operating income.
"We don't have to worry about these vital repairs anymore…instead, we can say, we 'have these things covered.' We can keep our building in sound repair, and we can continue to do the vital mission work and ministry work that we've been doing for so long," the Rev. Anne Marie Witchger, rector of the church, told the publication.
The current St. Mark's Church building was completed in 1799 on a site with a history of worship dating to the 17th century. It is one of the oldest church buildings in Manhattan.
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