Norah Jones Cuts Back on Her Windows
There’s peace in Cobble Hill. The platinum-selling singer Norah Jones, who got the neighborhood in quite a tizzy at the end of the year when she received approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to pop in ten new windows along the western wall of her recently purchased townhouse, took a voluntary step at a compromise….
There’s peace in Cobble Hill. The platinum-selling singer Norah Jones, who got the neighborhood in quite a tizzy at the end of the year when she received approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to pop in ten new windows along the western wall of her recently purchased townhouse, took a voluntary step at a compromise. According to The Brooklyn Paper, which broke the news, Jones has amended her LPC application to include only seven windows instead of ten–three on the top floor and four on the bottom floor. The president of the Cobble Hill Association, which has weighed in with the concern that the side windows are not historically consistent, expressed mixed feelings about the news: I’m still concerned that this sets a precedent, said Roy Sloane, the president of the Cobble Hill Association. But I’m always in favor of a compromise, if that’s what happened here. One concern that is not raised by either The Brooklyn Paper or The Post, which also covered the story, is whether the seven-window layout might actually look less natural than the original ten-window layout. Any thoughts on that?
Compromise in Norah Jones’ Windowgate Plan [NY Post]
Windows 7 was Norah Jones’s Idea [NY Post]
Cobble Hill Neighbors Irked by Norah Jones’ Windows [Brownstoner]
If I recall correctly, one of Mr. Sloane’s major issues (and the CHA’s) was that the windows were a last-minute add-on in the LPC offices. There was no input on them from the CHA or the local Community Board’s Land Use Committee.
The LPC is notoriously understaffed and underfunded. The people who should have the first voice in this matter are the local community (through CHA and CB6) and Ms. Jones. Once they have given their opinion, the LPC must take it into consideration.
The LPC recently approved an underground garage behind the historic Riverside House in Bklyn Heights — despite the fact that none of the proper DOB, etc., filings had been made. People in a community know the most about that community, and should have the first say in how the community develops — especially in an historic neighborhood.
Please stop maligning Roy Sloane (with his 35 years of unpaid, volunteer public service) until you have spent some time dong the same.
the 4 windows on the bottom floor will not be visible to walkers’ by, since there is a fence separating the sidewalk from ythe garden and driveway nest door.
all that will be visible will be the 3 top floor windows…
Let It Be!
Enough with the coy games: which one of you is Norah Jones???
I thought there was a garden there? Well, if it happens, Norah will just have to deal with it- she can’t stop a building going up. The only thing they can do is make sure it’s in context according to landmarking.
STARGAZER, with landmarking and those NIMBYs, NOTHING will ever be built on the lot line.
The placement of windows is determined by the interior floorplan. Whether or not they are symmetrical or in-line from the exterior is not really an issue.
If there’s an odd shaped one for a stairway, for example, it might break up the whole “pattern” and look even more pleasing.
Regular double hung brown framed windows will look correct on the blank brick wall, however, she is having 7, shouldn’t it be the same top and bottom like all symetrical.
I do agree though, windows will definetely look better than a blank brick wall.
But what will happen should anything be built on the lot line?
rob- I suggest you stop attacking 11217 every time he posts before you point a finger at my relationship with benson.
I hear that Norah NEVER wanted 10 windows in the first place, only 7, but got approval for 10, so when the neighbors got out their pitchforks and torches, she’d appear magnanimous by compromising at 7, and then they’d leave her alone.