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The Landmarks Preservation Commission intends this Tuesday to officially begin considering designating a Prospect Heights Historic District, according to a release from the Municipal Art Society. If approved, city law would prevent some 750 buildings on 21 blocks in Prospect Heights, in most cases, from being demolished or altered in a way unfitting with their historic character. Gib Veconi, chair of the Prospect Heights Development Corporation, said in a statement, The pressure from the Atlantic Yards project and other recent developments are of grave concern to the hundreds of local residents who have written in support of historic designation for Prospect Heights. We’re all grateful for LPC’s swift action in moving the process forward. Historic designation has throughout the city been found to increase property values and the cost of making improvements, according to a study cited in the Atlantic Yards Report. The original district, according to the release, included more than 800 structures. Anyone know why specific buildings were taken out, or why others were added?
ProHi Historic District Could Include Almost 800 Homes [Brownstoner]
Prospect Heights Historic District nudges forward [AYR]


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. “People save to buy a house and took great pride in it. House wasn’t a “investment” but a place to live and raise your family.”

    What- I totally agree.My friend and I had this exact conversation about buying a home, not an investment. I know, of course that a house is a huge investment, but I agree- it was different. I just never quite looked at it the way you explained it in terms of the market and money supply. But as I’ve said many times, I’m not a money whiz (don’t I wish tho’!).

    I understand what you’re saying about the LPC telling people what to do with their property- a lot of CHN homeowners had misgivings, yet when I see some of these beautiful houses destroyed it really breaks my heart. I don’t believe new construction can come close to the kind of value and quality of older construction- it’s too expensive. And who knows? Maybe landmarking over time will prove itself to you and as the market bottoms out, the value of landmarked homes will show real financial benefit. Either way I can only hope what you said is true- they won’t be building any jacked up structures or make asshead improvements to their houses.

  2. “I understand what you’re saying, but asking you what you think if there weren’t a RE bubble and the economy were better.”

    I believe that people would not foolish with money. Remember just a few years ago people was not throwing away money. People save to buy a house and took great pride in it. House wasn’t a “investment” but a place to live and raise your family. Now the powers that be increased the money supply, brought interest rates under inflation and people lost their minds. Now you are seeing the unwinding of this Mutant Asset Bubble and things like LPC is a side effect! Just a bunch of pompous asshats trying to tell some one what to do with their house.

    The What

    Someday this war is gonna end..

  3. What- the designation applies to the exterior. Interiors are yours to do what you will. It goes more to maintaining the look and feel of a beautiful neighborhood. It adds value to the property (I know! I know- mutant real estate bubble!) and can stabilize a neighborhood. I don’t think that’s bad- but my feelings about this have more to do with society and community, and love of architecture- nothing to do with finance.

    I understand what you’re saying, but asking you what you think if there weren’t a RE bubble and the economy were better.