Photo of Morningside Heights in 1919 by William Davis Hassler via the Museum of the City of New York.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a new historic district on Tuesday that stretches from 109th Street to 119th Street, and includes 115 buildings.
“The district, which numbers 115 historic properties that include single- and multi-family dwellings, a church, and a synagogue, is home to the highest density of early-20th-century, middle-class apartment buildings of anywhere in the city. Their construction—and that of numerous religious institutions and institutions of higher learning—was spurred by the departure of the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum in the late nineteenth century and the introduction of the subway into the area in the early twentieth.”
A mapping site includes 3-D renderings and information on the properties that are included. Below see 2 maps showing the area. The second is from the mapping site linked above.
Some locals have been concerned that Morningside Heights has been in danger of losing its character as religious organizations like the Jewish Theological Seminary sell property to developers. On the other hand, proponents of new development argue that landmark districts can slow new development, which is badly needed in a city with a severe housing shortage.
Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell notes that the historic district won’t stop all development but will make sure it remains in character with the neighborhood.
“A historic district preserves the interests of our community by giving them a voice and a seat at the table whenever major changes are proposed.”
The City Council still needs to vote to approve the district.
“On the other hand, proponents of new development argue that landmark districts can slow new development, which is badly needed in a city with a severe housing shortage.”
I always find comments like this almost quaint in their absurd logic, since the kind of housing that is being built by these people is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the kind of housing that is “badly needed.” Those who can afford the hideous, barely lived in luxury condos currently taking over the UWS will never be among those who for whom new housing is “badly needed”.
Grant Houses; “The view from Morningside”; “The Spy on Riverside Drive”; Morningside Gardens ? I miss certain Budgies in a Cage, in an Office in Barnard College. My sufferings be on certain folk in 10027. @ 1954; near Barnard College was so different; &, the Spanish language was , maybe, NOT forced on us. I’m internationally hidden homeless. Too many foreign construction workers in 10039. “The rent is too d-mn high”.
Why is the district so heavily gerrymandered? What major changes are being proposed that need community input?
This appears to be an excessively large historic district–with many privately owned buildings in which the designation will mean a sharp jump in rental costs, an incentive for developments whose presence and cost will undermine the concept of “historic” and less rather than more control over institutional expansion at the cost of less v. more needed affordable housing. Each suggest far too “sloppy” thinking by the Landmarks Preservation Ctee. The communities covered by this plan need to protest it on a number of substantial grounds to the City Council ASAP!
I think it’s a great idea. It’s necessary to preserve these beautiful buildings. Already Barnard has demolished a fine example of a mid-century modern building on their campus and in the bargain also probably destroyed a stunning spring magnolia tree that seemed to be at least a 100 years old (guesstimate). In their defense, yes, they’ve had it professionally moved to a location on the grounds, away from the construction site. But so far it shows no sign of revival. The poor tree is probably still in shock. It doesn’t help that the site is being dug up and the ground shakes every time the heavy machinery thumps into ground. How do they expect the tree to take root. I sincerely hope it does. I’m a prolific photographer so I’m glad I have photos of the tree and the cool 60’s building. Barnard can do whatsoever it wants since it owns the site but this is just an example of what’s happening. The Manhattan School of Music built a 19-story housing facility next door to their location on Claremont Avenue and 122nd Street on which the majority of the buildings are about six stories high. One of the delightful results is the sound of drunken 20 year olds yelling and screaming at four in the morning on their way back from wherever to their dorm. One of these days hopefully the Landmarks designated area will creep up a little higher than 119th street.