The Howard Hughes Corporation is one step closer to making its plans for the South Street Seaport a reality.
The Landmarks Preservations Commission on Tuesday approved the developer’s latest plans for Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. Landmarks green-lighted the plans after a controversial part of the design — a rooftop pergola — was axed from the design, New York YIMBY reported. The approval follows the commission’s previous nod to Hughes’ plan for the Pier 17 mall, which hadn’t included the rooftop arch or the demolition of the Link Building.
The pergola was particularly contentious because residents feared it would welcome more concerts and noisy events. In addition to removing the pergola, new plans changed the proposed material from asphalt to precast concrete pavers for an access road that extends from Fulton Street.
Howard Hughes Corp. still needs Landmarks’ go-ahead to move the Tin Building and to create affordable housing on Schermerhorn Row, the current home of the South Street Seaport Museum. The Seaport is the developer’s first New York City project.
In June, the seaport was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of the most endangered historic places in the country. The designation followed the developer’s agreement to scale back its plans for a residential tower from 52 stories to 43 stories. The final height of the tower remains up in the air.
In August, Howard Hughes Corp. sold two development sites — 80 South Street and 163 Front Street — to Beijing-based investment firm China Oceanwide Holdings for $390 million. [NY YIMBY] — Kathryn Brenzel