Demolition for Former HRA Headquarters 210 Livingston

The days are numbered for the 1920s office building at 210 Livingston Street, on the corner of Smith Street in Downtown Brooklyn. The Department of Buildings just approved an application to demolish the 11-story building, which was the former home of the City’s Human Resources Administration, which moved to 470 Vanderbilt Avenue. The building was put on the market back in 2011, and marketed as a possible residential or dorm conversion, office space, a hotel, or for demolition. (As one commenter said back then: “Amazing that demo is even listed as an option — only a fool would consider such. This building is perfect for residential conversion — puts to shame all those glassy new towers.”) According to public records, the building never sold. Perhaps the current owner thinks it’ll sell quicker as an empty lot? Or perhaps there are plans for a new building, although nothing’s listed yet with the Department of Buildings. According to PropertyShark, this lot has a FAR of 10, and it’s currently built up to a FAR of 7.45. It is a shame to see a perfectly good, and certainly charming, building like this go.
210 Livingston for Sale [Brownstoner]