HISTORIC DISTRICT WOULD PROTECT SITE

By Dan Rivoli

Neighborhood preservationists were saddened when the Kean Residence, built in 1922, was torn down last year after the Landmarks Preservation Commission declined to protect the Mediterranean-inspired residence. But the group Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts feels it can prevent a tower from springing up where the residence once stood, on the corner of Lexington Avenue and East 65th Street.
The tower’s investor, Trevor Davis of Davis Development Holdings, is facing foreclosure and is being sued by its lender, Ark Real Estate Partners, for $17 million, according to The Real Deal, a New York real estate publication.
The project has been issued permits, which would grandfather the new building against any new landmark regulations. But if the site forecloses, any project would require new permits. Friends hopes the proposed expansion of a landmark district will protect the corner. The group has pushed to protect property along Lexington Avenue from East 71st to 75th streets and from East 61st to 65th streets.
“Whatever goes there, contemporary or not, it should somehow be appropriate for the site,” said Seri Worden, the group’s executive director. “Certainly, we don’t want to see a 170-foot tower built, which is what is proposed.”
Davis told The Real Deal that the project is going ahead and he is negotiating with the lender.

Tweet This Post