NYC Will Decide Whether To Landmark Willem De Kooning's Old Home

UNION SQUARE, NY — A city commission will decide whether to landmark Willem de Kooning's former Union Square home later this month, after months of petitioning from local preservationists asking that the historic building be saved.

The abstract artist worked in a studio on the top floor of the stately cast iron buildings 831 Broadway. Since last year, preservationists have been pleading with the city to landmark both 831 and its neighbor, 827 Broadway, to save it from the wrecking ball. Investors announced plans last year to demolish both buildings and replace them with a 14-story tower with retail and office space. The building's owners withdrew those plans after outcry, and now say they will wait to present plans until after the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission makes a decision on the buildings.

The LPC, which protects significant NYC structures by designating buildings as landmarks or as part of historic districts, decided this year to consider landmark applications for the cast-iron buildings, which were built in 1866. On Tuesday, the commission held a public hearing, during which preservations with the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and other groups asking that the structure be landmarked. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

"Some of the greatest art of the 20th century was made in these buildings," GVSHP executive director Andrew Berman. "Some of the greatest innovations in 19th century commerce were sold here. We were literally facing the wrecking ball, with demolition permits approved but not issued, when the City finally responded to our call and started the landmarking process."

The commission will vote on whether to landmark the building on Oct. 31. If they approve landmark status, the application will proceed to City Council for final approval.

Image credit: Ciara McCarthy / Patch