"The 135-year-old building has remained shrouded by plywood to protect passersby from the crumbling stone, which has formed a reddish beach on the shed below. The church's congregation dwindled to 12 members and had to fire its pastor to save money."
"The church signed a deal in 2022 with developer Kenneth Horn of Alchemy Properties to do exactly that. Alchemy would pay $33.4 million for the site and build a tower - likely a condominium - that includes a 10,000-square-foot white box space for the church and $9 million for the congregation to build it out."
"The nonprofit organization created in 2016 to manage the property and restore its facade instead spent seven years focused on its arts programming while the price tag for a proper renovation soared to as much as $40 million."
West Park Presbyterian Church, designated as historic in 2010, has deteriorated significantly over the past decade despite preservation efforts. The 135-year-old building remains covered in plywood due to crumbling stone, while the congregation shrank to 12 members. A 2022 development deal with Alchemy Properties offers $33.4 million for the site plus $9 million for church reconstruction in a new tower. A nonprofit created to restore the facade instead focused on arts programming while renovation costs escalated to $40 million. The organization was evicted after disputes with the church. Preservationists, supported by celebrities and politicians, continue fighting the demolition, while the Landmarks Preservation Commission reconsiders the church's fate.
#historic-preservation #real-estate-development #landmarks-commission #church-demolition #urban-conservation
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