Historic Tribeca Artists' Building at 67 Vestry Street Faces Demolition by Developer Aby Rosen
Developer Aby Rosen's RFR Holding is considering the demolition of the historic live/work building at 67 Vestry Street in Manhattan to construct a new 11-story residential complex featuring 42 units. Originally built as an A&P warehouse in 1896 by Frederick P. Dinkelberg, the site is currently home to 12 artists who are fighting against the demolition with the help of the Tribeca Trust, having gathered over 1,500 signatures on their petition. The building, which became rent stabilized in 1977 and fully stabilized by 2012, has housed notable figures like Andy Warhol and Dan Flavin. Critics claim that Rosen's proposal undermines his image as a proponent of cultural preservation, while residents argue that designating the building as a landmark would bolster New York's artistic community as artists move to more affordable areas.
Key facts
- 67 Vestry Street is a historic artists' live/work building in lower Manhattan built in 1896.
- Developer Aby Rosen's RFR Holding plans to demolish it for an 11-story, 42-unit residential building.
- The building was designed by Frederick P. Dinkelberg, architect of the Flat Iron Building, and expanded by Frank Helmle in 1910.
- Residents, including 12 artists, are petitioning for landmark protection with over 1,500 signatures via Tribeca Trust and MoveOn.org.
- Notable past and present tenants include Andy Warhol, John Chamberlain, Dan Flavin, and Roland Gebhardt.
- The building became fully rent stabilized by 2012 after being designated under the Loft Law in 1992.
- Rosen chairs the New York State Council on the Arts and has renovated landmarks like Lever House and the Seagram Building.
- In early April 2014, The New York Landmarks Conservancy prevented Rosen from removing a Picasso curtain from the Four Seasons Restaurant.
Entities
Artists
- Jack Beal
- John Chamberlain
- Mark di Suvero
- Marisol Escobar
- Dan Flavin
- Andy Warhol
- Ronnie Cutrone
- Miguel Abreu
- Heiner Friedrich
- Tim Nye
- Lennie Kravitz
- Howard Johnson
- Lucinda Childs
- Roland Gebhardt
- Paul Pagk
- Jacqueline Miro
- Alberto Mugrabi
- Jeff Koons
- Tom Sachs
- Damien Hirst
- Barbara Kruger
- Robert Wilson
- Philip Glass
- Wim Wenders
- David Ellis
- Frederick P. Dinkelberg
- Frank Helmle
Institutions
- RFR Holding
- New York State Council on the Arts
- Tribeca Trust
- MoveOn.org
- The New York Times
- The Architect's Newspaper
- The Village Voice
- The New York Landmarks Conservancy
- Four Seasons Restaurant
- The Bruce High Quality Foundation
- artcritical.com
- A&P
Locations
- 67 Vestry Street
- New York
- Manhattan
- United States
- Tribeca
- Chinatown
- Pearl Paint
- Washington Street
- Washington Market
- New Jersey
- Park Avenue
- Detroit
- Pittsburgh
- Flat Iron Building
- Bush Terminal Sales Building
- Lever House
- Seagram Building
- Gramercy Park Hotel