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Williamsburg, NY - Warehouse Protected Forever by Preservation Easement |
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Austin, Nichols & Co., Warehouse, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Williamsburg, NY - After years of battles between preservationists and the New York City Council, the old Austin, Nichols & Company Warehouse in Williamsburg is now formally protected thanks to the donation of a historic-preservation easement to the Trust for Architectural Easements.
The warehouse, designed in 1915 by Cass Gilbert, first galvanized preservationists in 2004 when the owner announced plans for a rooftop addition and other alterations.
In 2005 the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission recommended making the building a registered landmark, but the City Council reversed the decision. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg vetoed the reversal, but the council voted to override the veto.
Last year the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the Brooklyn industrial waterfront, which includes the warehouse, on a list of most-endangered places. But a new owner, 184 Kent Fee L.L.C., bought the building in 2006 and recently donated a deed of easement, which prohibits destruction of the warehouse and preserves the building's height and shape in perpetuity.
Some changes, however, still loom: a 60,000-square-foot courtyard is planned as an event space for artists, and other alterations, including a riverside walkway, are in the works.
History of the Building
Designed in 1913 by Cass Gilbert as a warehouse for Austin, Nichols & Co., the largest wholesale grocer in the world at the time. The company grew quickly to occupy 9 buildings in Manhattan before moving to Brooklyn to take advantage of water and rail transportation available at the site.
Havemeyer & Elder, which owned the land and the nearby American Sugar Company, financed the warehouse and commissioned Cass Gilbert to design the building and the Turner Construction Company to build it.
1934: Austin, Nichols entered the liquor business, and the building remained its headquarters until the late 1950s.
2001: The Kestenbaum and Hirsch families purchased the building, ending years of abandonment by previous owners, rented out illegal loft space, and submitted proposals to change zoning status.
2002: The Kestenbaum and Hirsch families obtained a variance to make residential occupancy legal, and pursued a two-year rehabilitation project to convert upper floors to luxury condos.
2004: Developer Moishe Kestenbaum presents a proposal to the Board of Standards and Appeals and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to construct a rooftop addition and transform the 72-unit rental building into 256 condos.
2005: The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission added the building to the city’s list of registered landmarks but the City Council reversed the landmarks decision. Mayor Bloomberg vetoed the City Council’s revocation of landmark status and the City Council subsequently overrode his veto.
2006: 184 Kent Fee LLC purchases the building from the Kestenbaum and Hirsch families.
2007: The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the Brooklyn Industrial Waterfront, which includes the Austin, Nichols & Co. Warehouse, on its list of 11 most endangered places.
2008: 184 Kent Fee LLC donates preservation easement to the Trust for Architectural Easements.
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Read Comments (16) — Post Yours »
1
Dec 22, 2008 at 08:54 PM Babishka Says:
So what does this mean, the building is now some kind of museum? How is this going to generate revenue for the community, or does it just have to stand there, collecting dust and vermin and homeless people, forever?
2
Dec 22, 2008 at 09:42 PM Jay Says:
Who is 184 Kent Fee LLC?
3
Dec 22, 2008 at 09:20 PM mordy Says:
Although the Frum community might be upset with this decision because it won’t be used for families who need it, there is a positive slant. The idea of preservation is like saving a shul from being given away to a church and the like. Much of our Jewish history would be lost if not for preservationist
4
Dec 22, 2008 at 10:33 PM fish AND COHUNYO Says:
“ Who is 184 Kent Fee LLC? ”
he named it that way so you hasidic nosybodys want know who is the owner
so dont be so nigerig....
5
Dec 22, 2008 at 10:30 PM vip Says:
This building is no loss to the jewish williamsburg community it's totally out of the neighborhood located on Kent and North 3 the former location of the famous Kentco kitchens. But it may be a personal jewish loss depending who the owners of 184 Kent LLC.
6
Dec 22, 2008 at 10:10 PM Babishka Says:
“ Although the Frum community might be upset with this decision because it won’t be used for families who need it, there is a positive slant. The idea of preservation is like saving a shul from being given away to a church and the like. Much of our Jewish history would be lost if not for preservationist ”
But this building is not a shul and was never a shul, it is just a big ugly warehouse.
7
Dec 22, 2008 at 10:04 PM freckleman Says:
Reply to #3 its to far where the community lives so it would be going anyway to the artist and youpis lowlifes
8
Dec 22, 2008 at 09:59 PM Anonymous Says:
This building is not in the Jewish area, it's down in the north's where the new comers settle.
9
Dec 22, 2008 at 09:11 PM Anonymous Says:
“ So what does this mean, the building is now some kind of museum? How is this going to generate revenue for the community, or does it just have to stand there, collecting dust and vermin and homeless people, forever? ”
"Dust,vermin, and homeless people" ....you're just so caring, aintchya? If you want to perpetuate the stereotype of Jews only caring about money then keep saying things like-"How is this going to generate revenue for the community"......
10
Dec 22, 2008 at 11:53 PM Anonymous Says:
184 Kent Fee LLC is the previous landlord
11
Dec 22, 2008 at 11:58 PM yankel knowitall Says:
“ "Dust,vermin, and homeless people" ....you're just so caring, aintchya? If you want to perpetuate the stereotype of Jews only caring about money then keep saying things like-"How is this going to generate revenue for the community"......
”
Hirsch & Kestenbaum sold the adjacent lot (next to the building)in 2007 for 90 Million, Not sure about the building itself, but even if they still own it............
12
Dec 23, 2008 at 12:24 AM not for nozy reasons Says:
“ he named it that way so you hasidic nosybodys want know who is the owner
so dont be so nigerig....
”
i copied the following info from state website, and the reason for an llc is not to hide names lol
Current Entity Name: 184 KENT FEE LLC
Initial DOS Filing Date: MAY 03, 2006
County: NEW YORK
Jurisdiction: DELAWARE
Entity Type: FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Current Entity Status: ACTIVE
Selected Entity Address Information DOS Process (Address to which DOS will mail process if accepted on behalf of the entity)
C/O MARATHON ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
ATTN: RON BERNSTEIN
1 BRYANT PARK 38TH FLR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10036
Registered Agent
NONE
13
Dec 23, 2008 at 10:20 AM Oh My Says:
Oh My - I have never read such paranoid hypocritical crap in my life.
You have disgraced Jews with your negative and suspicious comments.
How could anyone take something good and turn it into the grand inquisition?
The building will be converted into a mixed retail & residential structure with a food processor, a butcher, occupying most of the basement. The building will be run by members of the Lost Tribe – Black Jews from Africa – for members of the Lost Tribe. Many of the men are single and looking for Jewish spouses.
I hope your sisters and daughters all come and visit.
14
Dec 23, 2008 at 11:19 AM aronis Says:
its misspelled its reall 184 cuount fee llc
15
Dec 23, 2008 at 02:54 PM Askipeh Hanidreses Says:
Why does such an ordinary building need to be prserved? What makes this building so special?
16
Dec 23, 2008 at 10:40 PM Anonymous Says:
The owner granted the facade easement - its a charitable donation for which the owner gets a tax write off. No one forced the owner to do anything. Likewise with the tax credits they are taking - all strictly voluntary (and all as a result of the historic significance of the building).