Only Seven Landmarks in One of New York’s Most Historically Rich Areas? What about 37 East 12th Street?
Recently we looked at seven late 19th and early 20th century buildings now under consideration for landmarking by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (read about them here,) They are all located along Broadway south of Union Square, in an area rich in architectural and cultural significance, and also increasingly endangered since the approval by the City Council of the Mayor’s “Tech Hub” on 14th Street. So in looking around the area, it begs the question: why only these seven? Today we look at one gem not yet under consideration for landmarking: 37 East 12th Street.
Few buildings in the City have as richly ornate a ground floor or as striking columns as 37 East 12th Street.
Designed in 1895 by architects Cleverdon & Patzel, this eight-story building was formerly number 39 on the block.
There are many more buildings in the area associated with some of the greatest artists of the mid-20th century when this part of the Village was the center of that world. Additionally, there are apartment buildings and converted old hotels which housed leading literary figures and publishers in this area. Based on the architectural, cultural and artistic heritage of this area, GVSHP recently sent a letter to the Landmark Preservation Commission strongly urging them to reconsider and expand landmarking beyond the seven buildings currently proposed (one of those seven being considered is the Renaissance Revival style building at 830 Broadway, also designed by Cleverdon & Patzel).
For further information on this and the opportunity to attend the LPC hearing on December 4th or to send a letter to the LPC in support of further landmarks designation, click HERE.
