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When the South Village Was One of New York’s ‘Seven to Save’

GVSHP Executive Director Andrew Berman (l.) and Preservation League of NY State Director Jay DiLorenzo speaking at the Seven to Save announement

Five years ago today, the South Village was named one of the Preservation League of New York’s ‘Seven to Save’ — the seven most important, endangered historic sites in New York State.

This major accomplishment followed the landmarking of the first third of the South Village in June 2010, and was intended to bring attention to the remaining, unprotected portions of GVSHP’s proposed South Village Historic District.

Many of us take the historic area around Bleecker and Sullivan Streets for granted, but none of this area south of Washington Square Park was landmarked just five years ago. We risked losing these historic buildings to 300 foot towers and unchecked development.

But thanks to efforts by GVSHP and following the Seven to Save List designation, this section encompassing the second third of the South Village was landmarked in 2013. The final third, known as the Sullivan-Thompson Historic District, was designated in December, 2016, capping off this 15-year long campaign. In total, GVSHP protected 34 square blocks and 635 buildings in the historic South Village!

Keep your yes posted for these signs indicating a historic district

Without GVSHP’s efforts, this could have been built right on Washington Square

The South Village is rich in architectural and cultural history and the work to honor this history continues:

Read more about the Seven to Save List designation here.  Read about GVSHP’s efforts to protect the South Village here.

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