Landmarked UWS

Yes. All renovations will have to go through landmark process, which takes time & $ as your architect will have to review plans, and present more detailed plans.

But thus far, I see that they have only voted on Extension I.

Even if an area is not landmarked, but under review, renovation costs get driven up by the 60-day hold process and more intense review.

Just for exterior stuff. Most apartment-building windows have been replaced by now. Same story for decorative balconets and cornices. Local Laws 10 and 11 have been through so many cycles, most buildings that could cheaply strip them off have done it already.

nyc10023, the addition of extension 1 makes the whole WEA, plus almost all cross streets, landmarked now.
I just spoke to the Landmark office person. NWT is right, as usual. The question the Landmark person was deliberately vague was the issue of window air conditioners the the street-facing side of a building.

It could be that renovations requiring a permit would have to be go through Landmarks to get a "certificate of no effect", or whatever it's called, before Buildings would issue the permit.

No idea how that would work, but the same expediter would handle both, I guess.

NWT, that does mean more expense. Unfortunately, when NYC does something there's somehow always a cash cow effect built in.

Extension I went from 79th up to 87th. That was approved in June.

Has something happened with the West End-Collegiate Extension, which'll go from 70th to 79th? That's been calendered for more than a year, and there's nothing new on Landmarks' site or at http://www.citylandnyc.org

It really is unfortunate that such a large swath of the Upper West Side is even being considered for landmarking.

The houses have no cohesive architectural style whatsoever, and the exteriors of later buildings (particularly on West End Avenue) were zoning-dictated boxes of bricks with a minimal nod to decorative elements scattered economically here and there on the façades. Those, as NWT noted, have almost entirely been removed, leaving just the flat-faced walls of bricks ... usually a sallow yellow/beige tone that was fully intended to be covered in a rich patina of soot as quickly as possible.

Teardowns.

I was told window AC units are fine for the landmarked building we are moving to (facing the street), but through wall AC units are prohibited. I'm guessing it varies by building

lemony, you are right and I might be wrong. Also, my other misconception: Historic District designation is not the same as landmark status, and I think it's good. HD means no new construction (good!) but no extra loop to jump for renovation permits (good.)

What do you mean by historic district, dollar? As far as NYC building regulations go, there is just landmarked or not.

nyc10023, just what it says: HD - no razing of a brownstone to build a Trump pile and no extensive modifications of existing buildings BUT an apartment can be renovated without Landmark people getting involved. That's how it was explained to me: only individual buildings can be landmarked while a large area can be protected from developers.

Nimby. Nimby

bwj2103, you going to let w67 get away with calling you a nimby?

http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/faqs/faq_meaning.shtml

My building is located in a historic district. Do I need the Commission's approval to make changes?
Yes. Every designated structure, whether it is an individual landmark or a building in a historic district, is protected under the Landmarks Law and subject to the same review procedures. If you want to perform minor work or make alterations to your building (with the exception of the ordinary repairs and interior alterations mentioned below), you must obtain the Commission's approval before you begin the work.

Thanks, nyc10023. Damn. I knew there will be money for the city somehow. Thanks again.