LPC Puts Another Nail in Purchase Bldg's Coffin
We just got word that the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 7 to 2 in favor of demolishing the 1936 Purchase Building, which sits beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. A combination of late-deco and early modernist design, the building will be cleared to create “open space” underneath the bridge. The LPC’s ruling only upholds an earlier recommendation…
We just got word that the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 7 to 2 in favor of demolishing the 1936 Purchase Building, which sits beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. A combination of late-deco and early modernist design, the building will be cleared to create “open space” underneath the bridge. The LPC’s ruling only upholds an earlier recommendation by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation which gave the building a thumbs down last Summer in its Environmental Impact Statement. Our reaction? That sucks.
Purchase Bldg Slated for Demo [Brownstoner]
Talk about context. I like the building and if it were in say, Red Hook, it could be cool. If it were in say, Patchogue, it would be not cool and torn down for some more not cool stuff. As for where it is, I’d rather see the Brooklyn frickin’ Bridge! C’mon!
The Purchase Building was eloquently described in detail in the designation report for the Fulton Ferry District. It is not only a shame that the LPC could be so obviously pushed around by other City agencies, it is incredibly damaging to the LPC’s credibilty and the level of protection that all our Landmark Districts have enjoyed (up ’til now!) No doubt, as mentioned above, we’ll be “treated” to a piece of waterfront kitch in the very footprint of a more appropriate, truncated Purchase Building. This building will be missed by many in the Preservation Community for many, many reasons.
Was the building itself landmarked? I thought it was just located in the Fulton Ferry district. Two rather different types of designation, IMO.
Demo-ing a Landmarked building in an historic district (Fulton Ferry) is a dangerous precedance for future projects to come. Also, the building could be used for a multitude of things: visitors/nature center, restaurant (esp. for weddings), etc. It could also be truncated partially, so that part of the building could be preserved. It is outrageous that the Landmarks PRESERVATION Committee has voted to demolish it. Even if they see that politically it is a done deal to save it, they could’ve voted to preserve it, just to maintain credibility as an organization/committee. Now we are going to see asphalt there, and I bet you a million bucks, we’ll see another building there in 10 years (the grand scheme…bait and build).
It is too bad that building is where it is. It would be nice to preserve it, as it has some interesting qualities.
I’d rather see a continuation of open space under the bridge, from the park to the cafe. When the OEM “Rudy Bunker” relocates to Cadman Plaza, the Purchase Building should go.
It’ll be a real shame to see this building go. It’s a very rare early modernist building in NYC in a style that’s deeply influenced by European developments of the time that went on to change the aesthetic of pretty much everything by the 1950’s. With some imagination this little gem could be spruced up and productively reused. I’ll bet it’d clean up nice, and they’ll never build another like it.
This structure has absolutely no redeeming qualities. I agree with the above post. Not worth the fight.
save a fight for another day and building.
I always loved that building. It needs a little TLC, but the windows are fantastic. A little bit of bauhaus in Brooklyn.