News  2021

The groundbreaking Lescaze House & Studio at 211 East 48th Street, designed by William Lescaze for himself, is before the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) with a Certificate of Appropriateness application requesting numerous alterations, threatening the integrity of this important and early work of Modern architecture. The architects for the renovation, The Turett Collaborative, presented the proposed project to the LPC at a public hearing on January 19. DOCOMOMO US/New York Tri-State President John Arbuckle delivered testimony encouraging the LPC to reject the proposed expansions.

Despite its design pedigree, could the extremely unsympathetic interior renovations be keeping the William Lescaze designed Kramer house from a smooth sale? This Curbed NY article raises interesting questions about historic interiors. While non-public interiors are not eligible for NYC landmark protections they can often play into a building’s commercial value, while maintaining its historical value. The Kramer House has been listed four times since 2014 and is again on the market for $15.9 million.

Making encouraging reuse news, Nuvance Health Systems has taken a long-term lease on Union Carbide Corporate Center, more recently known as The Summit, in Danbury, CT. Kevin Roche (1922–2019) designed the building in 1982 when Union Carbide moved from New York City to the Connecticut suburbs.

Docomomo US recently unveiled its theme for 2021: “Travel and Leisure.” Stay tuned for 2021 event announcements from DOCOMOMO US/New York Tri-State that will pick up the theme. Visit the Docomomo US announcement page for more information and to learn about other ways the public can participate.