ICYMI: Underground Railroad safe house found at the Merchant’s House Museum

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The Merchant's House Museum is at 29 E. Fourth St. between the Bowery and Lafayette. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• New 9-story development proposal raises alarms next to Merchant's House Museum

New 9-story development proposal raises alarms next to Merchant’s House

There are new plans for a 9-story mixed-use building (PDF here) at 27 E. Fourth St. between the Bowery and Lafayette. 

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.

 

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The developers will need approval of a zoning text amendment and special permits to facilitate the building. There will be a series of public meetings, starting tomorrow evening at 5:30, before the Community Board 2 Landmarks Committee. (Find meeting details here. You can attend via Zoom.)

 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: 

• Landmarks Preservation Commission approves hotel project that could potentially damage the city's oldest residential landmark

The Merchant's House Museum remains open during exterior restoration work

Restoration work got underway at the end of May at the Merchant's House Museum on Fourth Street.

Despite appearances, the Museum is open for business per usual here between the Bowery and Lafayette. Visitors can enter the rear garden through the gate located in Manual Plaza, just next door to the east.

Here's more about the work at the landmarked building dating to 1832: "This $3.6 million capital project includes a full restoration of the marble stoop, weatherproofing, and repairs to the brick. Work is expected to take 12 months."

As we've been reporting in recent years, concerns have been raised about the future of the Merchant's House Museum, with a new development being approved next door to the west. 

Does this restoration change anything with that project? (Spoiler — no.) 

[I]n spite of this critical restoration work, the Merchant's House is still at risk from development next door. It is disheartening that after spending $3.6 million, the City may still allow the development next door to move forward, destroying all the work that is currently taking place and wasting taxpayer dollars. 

Find visitor info here.