Landmarks Preservation Commission March 22, 2011, Designation List 440 LP-2420
Landmarks Preservation Commission March 22, 2011, Designation List 440 LP-2420 JAPAN SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS, 333 East 47th Street (aka 327-333 East 47th Street), Manhattan. Built 1969-71, Junzō Yoshimura and George G. Shimamoto, of Kelly & Gruzen, architects; expanded 1992, 1995-98, Richard L. Blinder, of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 1340, Lot 16. On June 22, 2010, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation of the Japan Society headquarters and the proposed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No. 2). The hearing had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. A letter from the Vice-President of Japan Society was read in support of designation, and two people spoke in favor of designation, including representatives of Docomomo US New York/Tri-State, and the Historic Districts Council. Summary The headquarters of Japan Society, earlier called Japan House, is located in the Turtle Bay section of Manhattan on the north side of East 47th Street, close to First Avenue and the United Nations. Founded in 1907, Japan Society functions as a cultural and educational institution, as well as a forum for dialogue between Japanese and American business leaders. Junzo Yoshimura, a leading Japanese architect during the second half of the 20th century, was responsible for the building’s handsome horizontal design, in partnership with George G. Shimamoto, of the firm Kelly & Gruzen. In addition to being Yoshimura’s only work in New York City, this building is likely to have been the city’s earliest permanent structure designed by a Japanese citizen.
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