DOCSLIB.ORG

Illegal Lofts in New York City: Have the Equities Been Balanced Jay Facciolo

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Illegal Lofts in New York City: Have the Equities Been Balanced Jay Facciolo Fordham Urban Law Journal Volume 14 | Number 3 Article 3 1986 Illegal Lofts in New York City: Have the Equities Been Balanced Jay Facciolo Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj Part of the Housing Law Commons Recommended Citation Jay Facciolo, Illegal Lofts ni New York City: Have the Equities Been Balanced, 14 Fordham Urb. L.J. 559 (1986). Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol14/iss3/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by FLASH: The orF dham Law Archive of Scholarship and History. It has been accepted for inclusion in Fordham Urban Law Journal by an authorized editor of FLASH: The orF dham Law Archive of Scholarship and History. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Illegal Lofts in New York City: Have the Equities Been Balanced Cover Page Footnote Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 1983; Associated with the law firm of Kramer, Levin, Nessen, Kamin & Frankel, New York, N.Y This article is available in Fordham Urban Law Journal: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol14/iss3/3 ILLEGAL LOFTS IN NEW YORK CITY: HAVE THE EQUITIES BEEN BALANCED? Jay Facciolo* I. Introduction In New York City today, tens of thousands of people,' primarily tenants, are illegally2 occupying lofts.3 These tenants have signed commercial leases, 4 often long-term leases at rents far below the current market rate. The changing economics of loft buildings5 has led to serious conflicts between landlords and tenants. Landlords have sought to evict tenants before their leases expire, 6 refused to renew their leases7 or demanded higher rental rates upon renewal.' Tenants have withheld rent for extended periods. 9 These conflicts have been taken to the courts, 0 and legislation recently enacted in New York State attempts to resolve these issues for at least some tenants and landlords." At the same time, New York City has been concerned about this tenant-landlord conflict, as well as the overall impact on the city's economy of both legal and illegal conversions of loft buildings from manufacturing or commercial to residential use.' 2 The city has taken an active role in seeking statutory solutions to these problems, but it is yet unclear whether the city's efforts 3 have been successful. A. The Loft Building A "loft" building is a multi-story nonresidential building, usually with more than one tenant.' 4 In Manhattan, loft buildings were built * Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 1983; Associated with the law firm of Kramer, Levin, Nessen, Kamin & Frankel, New York, N.Y. 1. See infra note 65. 2. See infra notes 61, 62 and accompanying text. 3. See infra notes 14-25 and accompanying text. 4. See infra notes 156-58 and accompanying text. 5. See infra notes 58, 59 and accompanying text. 6. See, e.g., infra notes 211-23 and accompanying text. 7. See, e.g., infra note 290. 8. Id. 9. See, e.g., infra notes 191-205 and accompanying text. 10. See infra notes 149-329 and accompanying text. 11. See infra notes 366-420 and accompanying text. 12. See infra note 39 and accompanying text. 13. See infra note 427 and accompanying text. 14. L. Kahn, The Loft Building in the Central Business District of Manhattan FORDHAM URBAN LA W JOURNAL [Vol. XIV in three waves: 1870 through 1900, 1900 through World War I, and 1920 through 1931.'1 In 1934, a real property inventory showed that 39.3% of all rentable loft building floor space existing at that time had been constructed prior to 1895.16 By 1957, the percentage of pre-1895 loft buildings had dwindled to 2.9% 7 due to demolition of older loft buildings."8 These pre-1895 lofts were built south of 14th Street, concentrating in areas near Broadway, Canal Street, and the Hudson and East Rivers.' 9 After 1900, industry, led by the apparel manufacturers, began to spread north of 14th Street.20 In Manhattan, 32.8% of the loft space in 1934 had been constructed between 1895 and 1914.2 ' Loft construction then slowed down until the 1920's, at which time a final burst of loft construction occurred, almost all of which was north of 14th Street.2 The changes in the structural characteristics of loft buildings co- incided approximately with the three waves of their construction. The typical pre-1895 loft building is "five stories high, situated on a lot 25' x 100,' with the building covering 90 percent of the land." 23 1-6 (June 1963) (Pratt Institute planning thesis) [hereinafter cited as Kahn]. A loft building has few or no interior bearing walls. "As such, it is basically a hollow structural shell with reinforced floors and a maximum of rentable floor space. It is not unusual, particularly on the upper floors, to have an entire floor with no partitions at all, except possibly for a small office." Id. at 51. The term "loft" is commonly used to refer both to the individual floors in such a building and to the entire building itself. Where a distinction is necessary, this article will use "loft living unit" to refer to a single floor or part of a floor converted to a residence and "loft building" to refer to an entire building. 15. Id.at 12-27. 16. Id. at 34. 17. Id. at 32. 18. Id. at 33. 19. Id. at 16, 28-30. 20. Id. at 22-25. Other industries have moved at other times. The textile whole- salers established themselves in the late 1800's in the Worth Street area. I. Wagner, A Policy Approach for Loft Living in Lower Manhattan 40-42 (October 1975) (the Graduate School of Architecture and Planning, Columbia University, M.S. thesis) [hereinafter cited as Wagner]. In the 1950's, the vast majority of these firms relocated to mid-Manhattan. Id. at 47. 21. Kahn, supra note 14, at 34. This had increased to 40.8% by 1957. Id. at 32. Clearly, the pre-1895 buildings suffered the most demolition. Id. at 33. 22. Id. at 35. As of 1934, 20.6% of floor area had been constructed during the 1920's. Id. at 34. This grew to 40% by 1957. Id. at 32. 23. C. RAPKIN, SOUTH HOUSTON INDUSTRIAL AREA 144 (1963) [hereinafter cited as RAPKIN]. These older loft buildings are of ordinary wood-joist construction, with the floors of rough wood or cement ... [and] are carried by brick-bearing walls. Where the span between the walls is too big, the floors are supported in the center by cast-iron columns, wedged between floor and ceiling, and not actually an integral part of the structure. Kahn, supra note 14, at 51; see also RAPKIN, supra, at 145-47. 1986] ILLEGAL LOFTS 561 During the second phase, which occurred after 1895, the supporting cast-iron columns used in larger loft buildings were made more uniform in thickness and thereby became safer.2 Finally, the third phase, which occurred prior to World War I, saw the appearance of a more modern form of loft, built on a steel frame with an 25 enclosed stairway and concrete floors. B. History of Loft Conversions 26 In the late 1950's and early 1960's, artists began to move into smaller loft buildings2 that manufacturers were beginning to vacate. 28 24. RAPKIN, supra note 23, at 145. Before 1895, the foundry process produced hollow columns of uneven thickness which often resulted in insufficient thickness at some points on the columns. Id. This lack of uniformity can be particularly dangerous in fires. Id. 25. Kahn, supra note 14, at 51; RAPKIN, supra note 23, at 145. 26. A conversion occurs when a loft building or loft floor once used for commercial and/or industrial purposes is remodeled or "converted" to accommodate a resident. The usual lack of any interior walls in a loft, see Kahn supra note 14, makes for easy conversions and unusual space arrangements. Id. at 52. At the minimum, a conversion involves installing a full bathroom and a kitchen; at a maximum, a loft floor may be converted into luxury housing. See S. ZUKIN, LOFT LrVING: CULTURE AND CAPITAL IN URBAN CHANGE 61-62 (1982) [hereinafter cited as ZUKIN]. 27. D. Diether, SoHo and NoHo Background 1 (Nov. 1975) (memorandum from the Zoning Chairman, Manhattan Borough President's Community Board No. 2) [hereinafter cited as Diether]. Artists began to move from Greenwich Village as they started doing artwork on a larger scale and as rents began to rise. Id. Artists first moved into SoHo (the area on the west central side of Manhattan and south of Houston Street) and into NoHo (the area in the center of Manhattan and north of Houston Street). Id.; Kahn, supra note 14, at 72 (noting that artists had moved into loft buildings around the Bowery, from Houston to 8th Street). As rents in SoHo increased, artists began to move into loft buildings in Tribeca (the triangle below Canal Street on the west side of Manhattan). Wagner, supra note 20, at 11. 28. Diether, supra note 27, at 1. As industries became more mechanized, the small floors of many loft buildings did not give manufacturers a large enough contiguous area to carry out efficient manufacturing. Id.; see also K. FORD, HOUSING POLICY AND THE URBAN MIDDLE CLASS 3 (1978) (estimating that any building with an area per floor of under 7,500 square feet is unlikely to attract a new business) [hereinafter cited as FORD]; RAPKIN, supra note 23, at 64-79; J. Baifinson, Regulating Loft Conversion in New York City: Better Late than Never 12 (Spring 1981) (Princeton University senior thesis) [hereinafter cited as Bailinson].
Load more

Recommended publications
  • N800458ZRM Amenaments of the Zoning Resolution
    -44 " ar CITY PLANNING COMMISSION N800458ZRM February 9, 1981 / Calendar #1 to Section 200 of the New York Amenaments of the Zoning Resolution pursuant 15-00, and Charter relating to Article I, new Chapter 5, Section City conversion non-res- miscellaneous changes in other Sections, regarding the of Communitu Boards Z through 6. idential buildings to residential use in Manhattan S.- 0110". The amendments seek to protect the vitally important Manhattan based industries from the effects of unbridled conversion of loft buildings to residential use. Concurrently, additional opportunities are provided for housing in areas where residential use will not have an adverse impact on the City's economy. The zoning map changes define current manufacturing districts, create new mixed use districts, and remap a manufacturing district to commercial. The text changes establish standards for the conversion of non-residential buildings to residential use outside the manufacturing districts. The text changes also provide a mechanism for relocation assistance for industrial uses displaced by conversion when they relocate in New York City. BACKGROUND In adopting the 1961 zoning ordinance, the Board of Estimate-- sought to ensure "that sufficient space will be available for use for manufacturing and related activities". Large areas of Manhattan which were occupied by industrial uses were mapped manufacturing. Other areas with significant industrial activity were mapped commercial, because they were adjacent to the central business districts or residential areas. The industrial uses in these commercial areas were expected to decrease over time. The first major review of this policy was undertaken in 1963. In response to the proposed Lower Manhattan Expressway, and to the sug- gestion that the area between Broome and Houston Streets be cleared for high-rise housing, Chester Rapkin was commissioned to study the S.
    [Show full text]
  • Loft Conversions and the Building Regulations
    A City and County of Swansea Dinas a Sir Abertawe Environment Department The Guildhall, Swansea SA1 4PE Tel No: (01792) 635636 Fax No: (01792) 648079 e-mail: www.swansea.gov.uk/bcon Minicom: (01792) 635609 LOFT CONVERSIONS and the BUILDING REGULATIONS Simplified Guidance LOCAL AUTHORITY BUILDING CONTROL SERVICES 2005 Rev1. C O N T E N T S Page 1:00 Introduction 3 2:00 Design Considerations 4 3:00 Structural Stability 5 4:00 Fire Safety 8 5:00 Ventilation 18 6:00 Staircase Access 21 7:00 Thermal Insulation 26 8:00 Electrical Safety 27 9:00 Typical Problems and Solutions 28 10:00 Checklist 32 The original edition of this document was developed by colleagues at Exeter City Council to whom Local Authority Building Control Wales are obliged Chapter 1:00 Introduction 1:10 This guidance booklet considers the extension of a typical 2 storey dwelling into a 3 storey unit, by the addition of a 'Loft Conversion' within the existing roof space. It is not possible, nor is it intended that this booklet should cover every aspect of the design. Primarily, it's purpose is to highlight the basic design considerations which need to be addressed. Specific technical detail has largely been omitted due to the criteria being subject to frequent change. If the proposal involves the conversion of a loft space above a bungalow, the fire safety provisions indicated in section 4:00 are not applicable, other than the arrangement of inner rooms. 1:20 For the purposes of this guidance, it is assumed the proposed conversion will not: (a) exceed 50 m2 in floor area, (b) involve raising the roof line above the existing ridge level, and (c) contain more that two habitable rooms, on the new second storey.
    [Show full text]
  • Steps to Planning and Costing a Loft Conversion Uncovering Your Loft’S True Potential Can Be Tricky – Especially If All It Has Been So Far Is Rarely Visited Storage
    LOFT CONVERSIONS Look at what you’ve got To ensure your space is worth converting, and to make it viable as a functioning and practical room, you ideally need the highest point to be at least 2.2m. There should be enough space to fit a new staircase – preferably within the existing landing area on the first floor – and a new landing into the loft rooom. Next, look at the roof. The gradient of its slope should be analysed, explains Sarah Livesey, director at Econoloft, as this will not only dictate the type of conversion possible, but also the finished layout. Generally speaking, the higher the pitch the taller the ceiling, and the more floor space you’ll have to work with. Anything above 30 degrees is workable. If you don’t have much head height, it’s still possible to convert – either by lowering the floor, raising the roof, or altering the shape of it by extending – but the project will cost more. To gain space, think about relocating a water tank if this is housed in the loft. Though 1you may need to install a new boiler or water system anyway if your existing plumbing can’t cope with serving additional rooms. If the loft has a chimneybreast, you may prefer to have it demolished if it will obstruct the layout. “Remember – this will impact the structural stability of the whole property, so it needs to be carefully managed with input from a structural engineer,” says Sarah. “Externally, check the condition of your roof tiles. If you need to re-tile or make repairs, do it as part of the conversion process.” 10STEPS TO PLANNING AND COSTING A LOFT CONVERSION Uncovering your loft’s true potential can be tricky – especially if all it has been so far is rarely visited storage.
    [Show full text]
  • Manhattan N.V. Map Guide 18
    18 38 Park Row. 113 37 101 Spring St. 56 Washington Square Memorial Arch. 1889·92 MANHATTAN N.V. MAP GUIDE Park Row and B kman St. N. E. corner of Spring and Mercer Sts. Washington Sq. at Fifth A ve. N. Y. Starkweather Stanford White The buildings listed represent ali periods of Nim 38 Little Singer Building. 1907 19 City Hall. 1811 561 Broadway. W side of Broadway at Prince St. First erected in wood, 1876. York architecture. In many casesthe notion of Broadway and Park Row (in City Hall Perk} 57 Washington Mews significant building or "monument" is an Ernest Flagg Mangin and McComb From Fifth Ave. to University PIobetween unfortunate format to adhere to, and a portion of Not a cast iron front. Cur.tain wall is of steel, 20 Criminal Court of the City of New York. Washington Sq. North and E. 8th St. a street or an area of severatblocks is listed. Many glass,and terra cotta. 1872 39 Cable Building. 1894 58 Housesalong Washington Sq. North, Nos. 'buildings which are of historic interest on/y have '52 Chambers St. 1-13. ea. )831. Nos. 21-26.1830 not been listed. Certain new buildings, which have 621 Broadway. Broadway at Houston Sto John Kellum (N.W. corner], Martin Thompson replaced significant works of architecture, have 59 Macdougal Alley been purposefully omitted. Also commissions for 21 Surrogates Court. 1911 McKim, Mead and White 31 Chembers St. at Centre St. Cu/-de-sac from Macdouga/ St. between interiorsonly, such as shops, banks, and 40 Bayard-Condict Building.
    [Show full text]
  • WEST STREET BUILDING, 90 West Street and 140 Cedar Street (Aka 87-95 West Street, 21-25 Albany Street, and 136-140 Cedar Street), Borough of Manhattan
    Landmarks Preservation Commission May 19, 1998, Designation List 293 LP-1984 WEST STREET BUILDING, 90 West Street and 140 Cedar Street (aka 87-95 West Street, 21-25 Albany Street, and 136-140 Cedar Street), Borough of Manhattan. Built 1905-07; architect, Cass Gilbert. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 56, Lot 4. On March 10, 1998, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation as a Landmark of the West Street Building, and the proposed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No . 1) . The hearing had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. Five persons, including a representative of the owner and representatives of the New York Landmarks Conservancy and the Municipal Art Society, spoke in favor of designation. There were no speakers in opposition to designation. A statement supporting designation has been received from Council Member Kathryn Freed. Summary The West Street Building, one of three major Downtown office buildings designed by Cass Gilbert, was built in 1905-07 for the West Street Improvement Corporation, a partnership headed by Howard Carroll. Carroll was president of two asphalt companies and vice-president of his father-in-law's Starin Transportation Company, which had major river shipping interests. Although today separated from the Hudson River by the landfill supporting Battery Park City, the site of the West Street Building originally had a highly visible location facing the waterfront along West Street. Carroll conceived of his project as a first-class skyscraper office building for the shipping and railroad industries. In addition to Carroll's companies, the building soon filled up with tenants including major companies in the transportation industry.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Loft Conversion with the Wow Factor Get Inspiration for Your Loft Conversion Contents
    THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CREATING A LOFT CONVERSION WITH THE WOW FACTOR GET INSPIRATION FOR YOUR LOFT CONVERSION CONTENTS A lof conversion can increase your property value by up to 20%. It can save you the headache, and heartache, of moving house to gain extra room. It can also be an excitng and stylish The Importance Of Good Design new space in your home, helping you to achieve the lifestyle Types Of Lof Conversion you’ve always dreamt of. Using Natural Light To Create Amazing Spaces Lof conversions do not have to be boring, practcal spaces; they can have the wow factor and become atractve, design- Lof Staircases led spaces for contemporary living. What kind of space do Heatng And Lightng Your Lof you want to create in your lof? A master bedroom with luxury ensuite, games room, home ofce or private retreat? Storage That Doesn’t Look Functonal Your lof conversion could be any of these, with the right space Inspiring Bathroom Design Ideas and some imaginaton. Smart Lofs And Smart Home Automaton This guide will take you through the many aspects of Eco Lofs: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint convertng your lof and help you decide what will work in your space and suit your needs. Our goal is to help you to Innovaton Is WOW! create a space you will love and be able to enjoy for years to come. We cover the following key factors that will shape your lof conversion - give them some thought now for a stress-free and successful conversion project: • The lof conversion experts you need on your team.
    [Show full text]
  • New York: the Ultimate Skyscraper Laboratory
    Tall Building Locations in New York City Tall Buildings in Numbers The recent skyscraper boom has been characterized by an increase in luxury residential construction, an increase in slenderness aspect ratios, and substantial construction in new locations away from Lower and Midtown Manhattan, in areas once considered “fringe,” such as Brooklyn, Queens and Jersey City. The research below examines the function and location of tall New York: The Ultimate Skyscraper Laboratory buildings over 100 meters, recently completed or under construction,3 in the New York City region4, with supertall buildings represented by larger dots. When construction of 111 West 3 4 57th Street (438 m) completes A timeline of skyscraper completions in New York uncannily Study of 100 m+ buildings in the New York City regionQueens – 20 in 2018, it will challenge the (2%) resembles the boom and bust cycles of the United States in QueensJersey – 20 City – 21 VIA 57 WEST (142 m), planned boundaries of engineering with Jersey City – 21 (2%) (3%) Bronx – 10 for completion in 2015, is a a width-to-height ratio of almost Upon completion in the 20th and early 21st centuries. The most active year was Hotel – 52 Other – 8 (3%) Brooklyn – 33 Bronx – 10 (1%) housing project designed as a 1:25, using 15,000 PSI concrete 2015, 432 Park Avenue hybrid between the European (426 m) will become the Hotel – 52 (6%)Other – 8 (1%) Brooklyn – 33 (4%) (1%) and a pendulum damper to 1931, when the fi nal excesses of the Roaring ‘20s were thrown perimeter block and a world’s tallest residential (6%) (1%) (4%) achieve this feat.
    [Show full text]
  • Design Masterclass Loft Conversions
    DESIGN DESIGN MASTERCLASS: Converting Loft Spaces GREAT IDEAS Experienced renovator and property developer Michael Holmes offers innovative design tips and practical advice sing the roof space to provide additional accommodation makes good sense. On a new dwelling it will maximise use of the built volume and bring down Uthe average cost per square metre. In an existing home, converting the loft is often the most cost-effective way to add space. There are two main options when it comes to design: to commission an architectural designer to produce drawings which can then be put out to builders on a competitive tender basis, or to hand the whole project over to a design and build contractor offering a one-stop service. Both will deal with planning permission, if required, and Building Regulations approval. Think 1 Ahead Designing a roof with future conversion in mind will allow for the expansion of living space should demand arise. Specifying either a cut roof or attic trusses instead of ‘fink’ trusses will add £1,500-2,000 to the average build cost but hugely simplify the conversion process. In addition, including a This self-contained loft apartment, designed plumbing and heating manifold in the roof by Brooke Fieldhouse Associates (01723 space, siting soil vent (SVP) pipes where they 871388), was created within a 1970s might be needed, and allowing space on bungalow, so the elderly owner’s adult son the consumer unit for power, lighting and could move back home to provide support. other circuits, will bring down the cost of The distinctive curved ceiling has been achieved with tongue-and-groove boards.
    [Show full text]
  • Lofts Narrative
    Joseph Pell Lombardi, Architect LOFTS Pioneering in the Urban Wilderness -- Title of a 1977 book by James Stratton INTRODUCTION “He adored New York City. He idolized it all out of proportion. Uh, no, make it he, he, romanticized it all out of proportion”. --The movie Manhattan by Woody Allen I have always sought out the older, forsaken buildings of New York City. In the 1940s and 1950s, as a child, I observed the then deteriorating residential areas of Harlem. In the 1960s, as a young architect, preservationist and investor, I became immersed in restoring multi-tenant rooming houses back to one family townhouses in the Upper West Side and the Kips Bay/Murray Hill areas of Manhattan. At the beginning of the 1970s, as I began to discover the fading magnifi cent commercial buildings of lower Manhattan, my focus shifted to converting warehouse and commercial buildings to residential use. At that time, lower Manhattan had hundreds of spectacular buildings which were physically and economically distressed. Like the townhouses of the 1960s, exploring lower Manhattan was the discovery of treasures; behind the beautiful, but dusty and poorly maintained, facades of lower Manhattan were magnifi cent lobbies, high ceilinged spaces with large windows, top fl oors with multiple skylights and, often, fully detailed interiors -- it was a preservation architect’s dream. At fi rst there was little competition in the residential conversion fi eld from other architects because it was an off -beat specialty consisting less of conventional architecture and more about preservation, retrofi tting, zoning obstacles and building code issues. It was also a waiting opportunity.
    [Show full text]
  • Loft Conversions
    Experts’ guide to Loft conversions brought to you by Lofts Unlock your home’s full potential with a loft conversion With house prices spiralling and competition for prime locations fierce, staying put and making the most of your home has never been a wiser decision Converting your loft space is one of the most This guide is designed to explain everything exciting and satisfying of all the home-improvement you need to know about planning, creating and projects. With up to 30% of your home’s floor enjoying the perfect loft conversion. From the space tied up in your loft, the scope for home suitability of your loft for conversion, to the types transformation and choosing what to do with of conversions available, different uses, planning all that new space above you is only limited by regulations, costings, step-by-step processes and your imagination. lots more – we hope this guide helps you on your way to transforming your home and creating the Why move to get more space when the alternative perfect new space. is staring you right in the face or, more accurately, looking down on you from on high? With such Quick guide – Click to go straight there a huge amount of potential in the house you’re Can your loft be converted? .....................................p3 already in (that, let’s face it, is often just used as Making the most of your new space ....................p4 a dumping ground for Christmas decorations, Six ways to convert your loft ....................................p6 camping gear and old toys), why go through the The importance of planning the staircase .........p15 stress of moving to a bigger place? Planning permission and regulations ..................p16 Party walls ......................................................................p18 So you’ve opened up your loft and gained How much will a new loft cost? ..............................p19 access to the space with a new staircase.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to the Department of Buildings Architectural Drawings and Plans for Lower Manhattan, Circa 1866-1978 Collection No
    NEW YORK CITY MUNICIPAL ARCHIVES 31 CHAMBERS ST., NEW YORK, NY 10007 Guide to the Department of Buildings architectural drawings and plans for Lower Manhattan, circa 1866-1978 Collection No. REC 0074 Processing, description, and rehousing by the Rolled Building Plans Project Team (2018-ongoing): Amy Stecher, Porscha Williams Fuller, David Mathurin, Clare Manias, Cynthia Brenwall. Finding aid written by Amy Stecher in May 2020. NYC Municipal Archives Guide to the Department of Buildings architectural drawings and plans for Lower Manhattan, circa 1866-1978 1 NYC Municipal Archives Guide to the Department of Buildings architectural drawings and plans for Lower Manhattan, circa 1866-1978 Summary Record Group: RG 025: Department of Buildings Title of the Collection: Department of Buildings architectural drawings and plans for Lower Manhattan Creator(s): Manhattan (New York, N.Y.). Bureau of Buildings; Manhattan (New York, N.Y.). Department of Buildings; New York (N.Y.). Department of Buildings; New York (N.Y.). Department of Housing and Buildings; New York (N.Y.). Department for the Survey and Inspection of Buildings; New York (N.Y.). Fire Department. Bureau of Inspection of Buildings; New York (N.Y.). Tenement House Department Date: circa 1866-1978 Abstract: The Department of Buildings requires the filing of applications and supporting material for permits to construct or alter buildings in New York City. This collection contains the plans and drawings filed with the Department of Buildings between 1866-1978, for the buildings on all 958 blocks of Lower Manhattan, from the Battery to 34th Street, as well as a small quantity of material for blocks outside that area.
    [Show full text]
  • The New-York Historical Society Library Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections
    Guide to the Geographic File ca 1800-present (Bulk 1850-1950) PR20 The New-York Historical Society 170 Central Park West New York, NY 10024 Descriptive Summary Title: Geographic File Dates: ca 1800-present (bulk 1850-1950) Abstract: The Geographic File includes prints, photographs, and newspaper clippings of street views and buildings in the five boroughs (Series III and IV), arranged by location or by type of structure. Series I and II contain foreign views and United States views outside of New York City. Quantity: 135 linear feet (160 boxes; 124 drawers of flat files) Call Phrase: PR 20 Note: This is a PDF version of a legacy finding aid that has not been updated recently and is provided “as is.” It is key-word searchable and can be used to identify and request materials through our online request system (AEON). PR 000 2 The New-York Historical Society Library Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections PR 020 GEOGRAPHIC FILE Series I. Foreign Views Series II. American Views Series III. New York City Views (Manhattan) Series IV. New York City Views (Other Boroughs) Processed by Committee Current as of May 25, 2006 PR 020 3 Provenance Material is a combination of gifts and purchases. Individual dates or information can be found on the verso of most items. Access The collection is open to qualified researchers. Portions of the collection that have been photocopied or microfilmed will be brought to the researcher in that format; microfilm can be made available through Interlibrary Loan. Photocopying Photocopying will be undertaken by staff only, and is limited to twenty exposures of stable, unbound material per day.
    [Show full text]