Cobble Hill Neighbors Irked by Norah Jones' Windows
There’s a major brou-haha brewing on Amity Street, reports The Post, over Norah Jones’ plans to install ten new windows in the highly-visible side of her brownstone. The Cobble Hill Association is up in arms over both the fact and the way that the Grammy-Award-winning singer got approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission and charge…
There’s a major brou-haha brewing on Amity Street, reports The Post, over Norah Jones’ plans to install ten new windows in the highly-visible side of her brownstone. The Cobble Hill Association is up in arms over both the fact and the way that the Grammy-Award-winning singer got approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission and charge that the windows are both historically inconsistent and structurally dubious. According to the article, Jones made an went before LPC based upon an initial filing for some minor changes; they later amended the application with the request for the addition of the 10 double-hung windows on the side of the house but were not required to appear again for a public hearing. Jones’ neighbors are threatening a lawsuit, but Jones has rejected its overtures to discuss a compromise.
Neighbors Bash Norah’s Window-in-Brick Trick [NY Post]
Famous Musician in Cobble Hill WindowGate! [Curbed]
Norah Jones Steps Up in Cobble Hill [Brownstoner]
I don’t think privacy or expectations of such have anything to do with it. Additionally, a fence can only be 6′ high.
As someone who had lot lined windows that are now covered with a neighbors wood fence, I wonder if the people in the mansion can’t just do the same. Norah Jones does not own the property next to her, and there hasn’t been another building there in almost a century. But I know the mansion’s back windows will now face directly into her house when her windows go up, so everyone in these 2 building will be losing privacy.
I SINCERELY hope Ms. Jones gets to read these posts. Team Norah! Team LPC-compliant lot-line windows!
The private garden isn’t all that private- it’s not like people in surrounding brownstones can’t see over the walls when they ar on upper floors. And sorry but there is no private “outdoors.” The whole thing is ridiculous. She has a chance to get more light inside- the neighbors should be ashamed of themselves.
Is the brick painted?
If so. Please take care of that Norah.
As unfortunate as the neighbor’s garden losing its privacy is, the only real issue here is the lot line windows. However DOB allows lot line windows for specific circumstances( length from adjacent building more than 60′, sprinkler or fireproof the windows, sign a paper that says you will cover them up if someone builds to the lot line, etc).
LPC has detailed guidelines for non-primary facades. It’s not like she is painting the building purple and adding 4 floors here!
“This is not a corner house. It is a house with an exposed sidewwall abutting a private garden. That is the problem”
Norah could just get up on the roof if she wanted to see what was going on in next door’s garden.
This is not a corner house. It is a house with an exposed sidewwall abutting a private garden. That is the problem. The neighbor’s garden will be a lot less private with windows looking down on it. No more nude sunbathing. Not that anyone would do such a thing in Cobble Hill.
DIBS — Not sure if anything was ever torn down here. But there are often exposed sides with no windows on the houses that abut the corner lot. E.g., the next blocks over the top floors of the equivalent house are exposed to view (at Congress, Baltic, Warren etc.) with no side windows.