Clinton Hill Skyscraper Approved To Replace Hot Bird

CLINTON HILL, NY — A 29-story skyscraper that would replace the popular Atlantic Avenue bar Hot Bird were approved by the city along with plans to renovate the neighboring landmarked church.

The special zoning permit to build the tower at 550 Atlantic Ave. got the green-light from the Landmark Preservation Commission on Tuesday after developer Hope Street Capital revised plans to repair the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported.

Portions of the new tower would take over the lot currently occupied by the popular bar Hot Bird, which opened in 2010, according to the plans.

Hope Street's plan calls to build a 312-foot tall concrete and glass tower next to the nearly 130-year-old church, according to documents filed with LPC. The building will be designed by Morris Adjmi Architects and include a rooftop-tower overlooking Atlantic Avenue.

As part of the work, developers also would restore the facade of the historic church, at 520 Atlantic Ave., which was damaged in a "suspicious" 2012 fire.

The original plans drew criticisms from the LPC over the quality of materials proposed for the church's facade.

Developers now promised to retool damaged stone on the church and, when it must be replaced, they would use brownstone from England or salvaged from another church in the borough, the Daily Eagle reported.

The Italian Romanesque-style Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew was designed by John Welch and was built sometime between 1888 to 1891, according to the LPC. It was protected as landmark in 1981.

It was damaged in a fire fueled by gasoline containers stored for Hurricane Sandy relief which burned the wooden doors and foyer, the New York Times reported.

Image: Landmark Preservation Commission