FRIENDS of the UPPER EAST SIDE HISTORIC DISTRICTS

SUMMER 2008 Upper East Side Historic District Expansion – Sweeping Support but Demo Threats Continue

FRIENDS’ proposal for the Upper a neighborhood church, a unique East Side Historic District Expansion Lexington Avenue residence and more. has received resounding support Although the expansion is recognized from our city, state, congressional, on the state and national level, it is and borough-wide elected officials only through local historic district who represent the area. Manhattan designation by the New York City Borough President Scott Stringer, Landmarks Preservation Commission Councilman Daniel Garodnick, State that the neighborhood will be protected Senator Liz Krueger, Assemblyman from demolition and inappropriate Jonathan Bing and Congresswoman development. Despite these threats and Carolyn Maloney have all written the overwhelming support from our letters to the LPC urging the elected officials and the neighborhood, commission to hold a hearing on the LPC has not yet acted! We need this endangered neighborhood as you to show your continued support for soon as possible. The expansion the expansion. If you haven’t signed a has also received strong support petition or written a letter yet, please do from neighborhood institutions and so to preserve this quintessential New businesses, as well as local, state, and York City neighborhood. Visit our national preservation groups. website www.friends-ues.org for sample Upper East Side Historic District In recent weeks, FRIENDS has received letters and sign up on our email list to Current Proposed Individual reports of potential demolitions learn more. Boundary Expansion Landmarks in the expansion area, including Young by SarahFriends O’Keefe “That looks like Spitzer’s building!” exclaimed a second grader during my March visit to his classroom. In the first visit of our architectural education program, we examine pictures of buildings and discuss the clues that can tell us a building’s history and function. Amazingly, I hadn’t noticed that the image I was holding up was of a modern residential building next door to First graders from P.S. 290 point to a column as they survey a block in their school neighborhood Governor Spitzer’s Fifth Avenue soaring columns of a museum or gazing Through classroom visits and walking apartment building. It reinforced at the Empire State Building is a tours, our education program has been for me the astounding power of common occurrence. Our program very active this spring, working with observation and memory that a second aims to make students aware of these public and private school classrooms on grader can possess after seeing a unusually rich surroundings and hone the Upper East Side and in East building once or twice on the news. It their already developed skills of Harlem. We have served over 320 then comes as no surprise that by our observation. We learn to identify houses students ranging from 1st-4th grade at second lesson, children are able to of worship, schools, museums, and P.S. 6, 59, 102, 290 and at Convent of point out many of the twenty storefronts. Along the way they discover the Sacred Heart. We look forward to architectural vocabulary words they gargoyles, pediments, cornices and visiting many more classrooms during learned during our first visit, and by lintels in order to create a new vision of the 2008-2009 school year. If you our third visit they are comfortable the city that surrounds them. We hope are interested in learning more adding these elements to their own that they will share this vision with their about our program or if you would creative building designs. friends and family and spread the like to volunteer teach, please contact For many New York City students, appreciation of our built environment our Education Coordinator, Sarah O’Keefe, at being surrounded by significant and the importance of maintaining [email protected] or at 212-535-2526. buildings is normal—walking past the historic buildings.

FRIENDS to Honor Liz Smith Save the Date! Monday, September 22, 2008

Join FRIENDS for an exciting evening Her memoir, “Natural Blonde” was as we proudly honor Liz Smith at our published in 2000 and immediately Fifth Annual Ambassador to the Upper flew onto the New York Times East Side Award Dinner on Monday, Bestseller list and was followed by September 22nd. Liz Smith calls her food memoir, “Dishing.” Her herself “The 2000-year-old gossip philanthropy is legend – raising columnist.” Arriving in Manhattan millions for AIDS, Literacy Partners, from the University of Texas journalism N.Y. Restoration Project, P.A.L., the school in 1949, she has worked in Mayors Fund to Advance New York, the celebrity/show biz for 57 years. She has Landmarks Conservancy and now written for seven different NYC Friends of the Upper East Side Historic newspapers and for almost every Districts. With such outstanding magazine. She was a CBS radio company, this is sure to be an evening producer for Mike Wallace, then an to remember! For inquiries: 212-535- NBC-TV producer in the Fifties. 2526 or [email protected]. Photo by Joan Jedell, Dishing, Simon and Schuster FRIENDS’ Twenty-Fifth Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony

FRIENDS held its Twenty-fifth Annual The Vilcek Foundation located at 167 Meeting and Awards Ceremony on East 73rd Street also received a March 18, 2008 at The New York RESTORATION AWARD for the School of Interior Design. FRIENDS’ outstanding restoration and adaptive president, Anne Millard, greeted the re-use of the foundation’s headquarters audience and thanked Inge Heckel, located in an individually landmarked president of the New York School of 19th century carriage house. The Rev. Interior Design for allowing us use of John Kamas presented the award to their marvelous school. The first order Jan and Marica Vilcek, Tow Studios and of business was to nominate the the foundation’s Executive Director, members and officers of the board. We Rick Kinsel. are thrilled to have board member A HATS OFF AWARD was presented by Annie MacRae as a new vice president. Council Member Dan Garodnick to the During the awards ceremony, Board Member and Host Hermes Mallea, Susan Peck and owners and craftsman behind the Friends’ President Anne Millard FRIENDS recognized fine restoration, cornice replacement of 1046 Madison renovation, and advocacy work on the Avenue. A second HATS OFF AWARD Upper East Side, both in and out of the was presented to the owner and districts. Hermes Mallea, a FRIENDS architects of 145 East 74th Street for board member and architect, gave a the preservation of the impressive lion lively presentation of this year’s awards studded cornice. The exemplary work covering diverse categories from on both structures is particularly Central Park to carriage houses. After significant as they are located outside of the ceremony, honorees and guests a historic district. headed to the school’s art gallery for a reception. A PRESERVING CLASSIC NEW YORK AWARD was presented to the A RESTORATION AWARD was Café Carlyle in the Carlyle Hotel for presented to the Central Park the impressive restoration of the Marcel Conservancy and their team of Vertes murals decorating the walls of conservators for the meticulous and this world famous cabaret. Fred Papert stunning restoration of the Minton tile presented the award to the artists, Council Member Jessica Lappin and ceiling in Central Park’s Bethesda designers and hotel management. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Terrace Arcade. David Karabell presented the award to the Central Park Conservancy and their project team, FRIENDS from lighting designers to architects launches New Website and Blog and welders. We are pleased to announce our newly designed and informative website Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney www.friends-ues.org. Explore the site presented an ADVOCACY AWARD to to learn about upcoming events, free Council Member Jessica Lappin for publications, our elementary school her dedication to the landmark program and much more! You can designation of City and Suburban also view a list of monthly LPC Homes Company, First Avenue Estate. hearings and decisions on Upper East Neighborhood activists Elizabeth Side buildings and keep up to date on McCracken and Joy Kieras were also proposed new developments and our recognized for their commitment to work towards saving the historic preserving these important buildings. architecture of the Upper East Side. Success Against Madison Ave Demo and Tower After strong opposition from Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts and a coalition of concerned neighbors, the Landmarks Preservation Commission rejected a proposal for a mid-block 170-foot tall tower at 746- 748 Madison Avenue. FRIENDS was greatly concerned with the scale, design and location of the proposed tower, requiring the demolition of the charming two-story neo-Georgian building home to neighborhood favorite La Goulue. Although the proposal included salvaging the historic storefront and incorporating it into the new building, the resulting structure would have been a mid-block tower completely out of context with the character of the block, Madison Avenue 744-746 Madison Avenue and the historic district. If approved, proposed building. Commissioner respect.” FRIENDS could not agree this project could have set a dangerous Stephen Byrns stated that the tower was more, and we thank all of you who precedent for the Upper East Side “oversized” and called for the “low areas have supported this important and Historic District and historic of Madison Avenue to be preserved.” precedent setting issue. Prior to this neighborhoods throughout the city. Commissioner Roberta Gratz said article going to press, we learned of a At a March public meeting, the that the existing two-story building is a new proposal for this site. We will be LPC commissioners resoundingly contributing building within the sure to keep our readers up to date. disapproved of the scale of the historic district and it “deserves In memoriam

This spring the preservation tenements. This was a bold and public hearings where his eloquence, community lost two of its most devoted controversial move that recognized the insights, and humor were memorable. and inspirational leaders, David F. M. planning and philanthropic principles Advocates across the city depended on Todd and Roger P. Lang. of the buildings. David was a good his good sense and passion as they friend to FRIENDS, writing just fought for their causes. One of his David Todd was appointed to the months before his passing to lasting triumphs was his campaign to Landmarks Preservation Commission congratulate us on the walking tour save the south side of Ellis Island, where in 1984 and was named Chair by Mayor guide of Lexington Avenue historic a collection of hospital buildings Koch in 1989. As an architect, district extension, calling it “the best languished in the shadow of the he brought a contemporary design of this kind of teaching the public restored Arrivals Building. His and the sensibility to the commission, as well what’s what.” Conservancy’s concern for these as experience in residential and structures led to a compelling exhibit of educational buildings. Although he Roger Lang came to New York from photographs shown at the National professed to being primarily interested Boston in 1992 after many years Building Museum in Washington, in the architectural qualities of there working as an architect and D.C., which in turn led to their stabi- proposed landmarks, as opposed to the preservationist. As the Director of lization. FRIENDS joins the preserva- cultural or historical, he presided over Public Policy at the New York tion community in grateful remem- the designations of the City and Landmarks Conservancy, he became brance of these two outstanding leaders. Suburban Homes Company model a familiar and beloved figure at Mt. Sinai Hospital In Gratitude

Proposes 600 Foot Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts wishes to acknowledges the Residential Tower generous support of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The renowned and respected Mt. Sinai the Upper East Side Historic Districts’ Council Member Daniel Garodnick Medical Center, located from 98th preservation and planning committee and Council Member Jessica Lappin Street to 102nd Street between Madison found it critical to testify against through the Department of Youth and and Fifth Avenues, has embarked on an the proposal before the BSA Community Development and State ambitious expansion plan to build a because of the projects far-reaching Senator Liz Krueger. new Center for Science and Medicine implications. We were in good on Madison Avenue and East 101st company; Community Board 11, Street. To help finance the expansion, Civitas, Carnegie Hill Neighbors and Mt. Sinai has proposed selling air East Harlem Preservation all testified Call for rights to a private developer for the against the proposal before the BSA on construction of a 600 foot market-rate May 6th. The BSA has asked the project Entries residential tower in the mid-block of team to return for a second hearing. We East 102nd Street between Fifth and will be sure to keep our readers updated Madison Avenues. Because the project on this important issue. Each year, Friends of the Upper East does not conform to existing zoning Side Historic Districts awards outstand- rules, waivers are required by the Board ing achievements in preservation, of Standards and Appeals (BSA) related architecture and advocacy on the Upper to the set back and lot coverage of the Join us for East Side. Nominations are sought science building. a Tour for our 2009 Annual Awards. If you While we certainly value and respect know of a restoration or renovation the extraordinary work of Mt. Sinai FRIENDS is sponsoring free walking project, or even a new building that hospital as one of New York City’s tours of the proposed Upper East Side fits with its historic neighbors, let premier medical institutions, we do not Expansion Area. Visit our website for us know! Projects must be completed support the institutions’ request for the tour dates at www.friends-ues.org. between December 1st, 2007 and zoning waivers because of its negative December 1st, 2008. impact on the livability and character of the surrounding area. Such a large intrusive tower would loom over the LETTER from the PRESIDENT neighborhood and Central Park and be completely out of context with It has been a beautiful Spring with the blooming of cherry, calary pear and the 6-story tenements and 15-story so many more trees and flowers all welcoming the warm weather. It is always public housing that distinguish the special to New Yorkers to see their streets come alive with the lovely sights and neighborhood. To understand the smells of springtime. impact of the proposed building, one can look at Mt. Sinai’s Annenberg Lexington Avenue is just such a street, with its blocks of low-scale historic Research Building and Icahn Building. buildings and quirky personality that MUST be preserved for all to enjoy. The new tower would dwarf these FRIENDS is continuing our work on expanding the Upper East Side massive buildings by at least twenty Historic District to include Lexington Avenue from 60th to 75th Street and stories, casting long shadows across the charming residential side streets. We are trying to save this truly unique Central Park and the surrounding New York neighborhood before we lose any of its architectural gems. blocks. In addition it will be invasive on And we need you to help to make this happen! Join us on July 21st at 6:30 the Fifth Avenue skyline as seen from p.m. as we present our work to the community board. We will need your Central Park and the west side. enthusiasm and support! Although Mt. Sinai hospital is located outside a historic district, Friends of Voice Your Opinion! 2007 Board of Directors FRIENDS First President (1982-1991), Halina Rosenthal Landmarks Preservation Commission Anne L. Millard, President of the UPPER EAST SIDE Robert Tierney, Chair Tony Rosenthal, Honorary Chairman Municipal Building HISTORIC DISTRICTS Rita C. Chu, David I. Karabell, Annie One Centre Street, 9th Floor, MacRae, Gretchen Siebel, Vice Presidents Friends of the Upper East Side New York, NY 10007 Historic Districts, founded in 1982, [email protected] O. Kelley Anderson, Treasurer is an independent, not-for-profit Franny Eberhart, Secretary membership organization dedicated to Upper East Side City Council Members preserving the architectural legacy, Hon. Jessica Lappin Kent L. Barwick, David W. Beer, FAIA, livability, and sense of place of the The City Council Christina R. Davis, Andrew S. Dolkart, Upper East Side. We safeguard the 336 East 73rd Street, Suite C Lionel Goldfrank III, Erin Gray, future of the Upper East Side’s six New York, NY 10021 Huyler C. Held, Adam Holender, historic districts and 126 individual [email protected] Thomas Jayne, E. William Judson, landmarks and act as an advocate for sound preservation policies for the P: 212.788.7210 Rev. John A. Kamas, Henry Lambert, city. Friends has also been a leader F: 212.788.7207 David L. Levinson, Mimi Levitt, in successful efforts to improve Hermes Mallea, Norman Marcus, Hon. Daniel Garodnick dramatically the zoning laws governing Joyce Matz, Alice McGown, the area’s avenues and residential 211 E. 43rd Street, Suite 2004 side streets. New York, NY 10017 Frederic S. Papert, Judith Price, Robert C. Quinlan, Genie Rice, For more information please call garodnick @council.nyc.ny.us 212-535-2526 or visit our website at P: .212.818.0580 Alexandra Schlesinger, Annie Schulhof, www.friends-ues.org. F: .212.818.0706 Patricia B. Selch, Andrew P. Steffan, Patricia F. Sullivan, Roger W. Tuckerman, Friends of the Upper East Side Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg Margot Wellington, Julia Widdowson, Historic Districts Mayor Caroline Zaleski 20 East 69th Street, #4B City Hall New York, NY 10021 Seri Worden, Executive Director p. 212-535-2526 New York, NY 10007 f. 212-535-2155 P: 212.788.3000

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