Dozens Debate Tower for Landmarked Fort Greene Church

"Forty-six speakers supported the plans for the church at 144 St. Felix Street, on the corner of Hanson Place, largely citing the need for new housing - and many said the design was respectful of the church, the neighboring Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, and the BAM Historic District. But 33 opponents argued the project was grossly out of scale, would block views of the iconic clock tower, undermine the church's history and architecture, and amount to "facadism.""

"Developers Strek­te have applied to alter the 1930s neo-Gothic church, designed by Halsey, McCormack & Helmer, by demolishing portions of the structure, removing and relocating doors and stained-glass windows, and constructing the tower. FXCollaborative and ADP Architects (the latter also behind the controversial proposed tower at the Duffield Street Houses) are designing the project, which requires LPC review because while the church is not individually landmarked it sits within the BAM Historic District."

"The proposal includes restoring the church's St. Felix Street and Hanson Place facades; repairing masonry and cast-stone ornamentation; restoring stained glass; removing and preserving religious iconography; replacing windows to meet light and air requirements; and adding new doors, skylights, a roof, and retail and community spaces. The attached 27-story brick-clad tower would step down along both streets and contain 50 to 60 permanently "affordable" - e.g. rent-stabilized and income-targeted - units."

A 3.5-hour Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing drew nearly 80 participants about a proposed 27-story, 240-unit tower using the Hanson Place Central United Methodist Church as its base. Forty-six participants supported the plans citing new housing needs and respectful design; 33 opposed the project as out of scale, view-blocking, historically damaging, and tantamount to facadism. The commission received 95 letters opposing and 64 supporting, and LPC staff noted housing policy falls outside the commission's purview. Developers propose partial demolition, relocation of doors and stained glass, facade restoration, masonry repair, and an attached 27-story brick tower with 50–60 permanently "affordable" units.

Read at Brownstoner