"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 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."
"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."
West Park Presbyterian Church at 165 West 86th Street has deteriorated significantly since receiving historic landmark designation in 2010. The 135-year-old structure remains boarded with plywood due to crumbling stone, while the congregation declined to 12 members. A 2022 development deal with Alchemy Properties would provide $33.4 million for the site, a new condominium tower, and $9 million for a 10,000-square-foot church space. A nonprofit created to restore the facade instead focused on arts programming while renovation costs escalated to $40 million. Preservationists, including celebrities and politicians, oppose demolition, while the real estate industry watches closely as the Landmarks Preservation Commission reconsiders the church's fate.
#historic-preservation #real-estate-development #landmarks-commission #church-demolition #urban-development
Read at therealdeal.com
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