The Trust for Architectural Easements takes its role as an advocate for historic preservation very seriously. Part of fighting the battle against the demolition of America's historic structures is making the public aware of news, policies and practices that are working for and against the preservation of our architectural history. The following are recent reports and articles that shed light on the cause of preservation and the controversy that sometimes surrounds it.
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- Preservation Easement Saves New York's Last Remaining Horse Auction Mart Building
- Two New York City Buildings, both Integral to the History of the Engineering Profession, Listed on National Register of Historic Places
- Fifteen Beacon Street, the Current Site of Boston’s Renowned XV Beacon Hotel, Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Wall Street Historic District Announcement
- More Structures Within Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood Now Qualify for Federal Preservation Programs and Incentives
- Wall Street Historic District Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Trust Leads Effort to Update Beacon Hill National Historic Landmark Designation
- NYC Council Revokes Landmark Status on Brooklyn Landmark
- Political Pressure On NYC Landmarks Commission
- The Case for Preservation Easements
- Preservation Versus Demolition: A CBS News Sunday Morning Report
- National Registered Landmark Demolished
Preservation Easement Saves New York's Last Remaining Horse Auction Mart Building
February 25, 2008, Washington, DC...
Another piece of New York City's architectural heritage has been preserved. The city's lone remaining horse auction mart building, the former Van Tassell & Kearney building located at 126-128 East 13th Street, is now protected by a preservation easement.
The 1903 building designed by Jardine, Kent & Jardine, which has not been designated a New York City landmark, first drew the attention of community and preservation groups as well as local media in 2006 when its new owner announced plans to demolish the only remaining horse auction barn in the city and build an apartment house in its place. Several local preservation advocacy groups attempted to halt these plans by asking the Landmarks Preservation Commission to grant landmark status to the Beaux-Arts structure, thereby preventing its demolition. Although hearing were held, no decision on landmark designation was made by the Commission. Instead, the owner and the Commission reached a "standstill agreement," preventing demolition or alteration of the auction mart while designation was considered. Despite the failure to protect the building through the use of New York City's ordinances, the Van Tassell & Kearney building is now guaranteed to be preserved in perpetuity because of the actions of its owners and the Trust for Architectural Easements - holder of the preservation easement.
The distinctive red brick and limestone building, with a symmetrical arched façade, was among the city's most prominent horse auction marts, selling horses and carriages to members of New York City's social elite. In 1916, soon after the "horseless carriage" appeared on the scene, Van Tassell & Kearney began auctioning automobiles at the building. In the second quarter of the 20th century, the open interior was divided into classrooms where men prepared for civil service exams and women studied machine technology. From 1978 to 2005, preeminent artist Frank Stella used the building as his studio, perhaps drawn by the abundant natural light provided by the skylights that had originally showcased horses.
The building owners, moved by the community and preservation groups' interest in preserving the building, sought out more comprehensive protection for the building on their own. They made the case that the building was historically significant and should be listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. The Park Service agreed and added the building to the National Register on November 20, 2007, finding it a significant example of a rare late 19th- and early 20th-century building type - the horse and carriage auction mart. This listing on the National Register made the building eligible for the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program.
This government program uses tax incentives to encourage owners of buildings of historical significance, and those contributing to registered historic districts, to make historic preservation easement donations to qualified organizations such as the Trust for Architectural Easements. Owners who participate in the Program are eligible to receive federal income tax deductions in exchange for the contractual assurance that they will maintain the building's historical character in perpetuity and not make changes to its exterior without authorization from the easement holder. The donation of a preservation easement on the former Van Tassell & Kearney Horse Auction Mart was completed in December.
"This program is the federal government's way of providing an extra level of protection to a limited and endangered national treasure - America's historic architecture. In this case the protection offered by the Program was the only type available to this one-of-a-kind historic building. Thanks to the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program and the owner's efforts, we were able to protect it," explains Trust for Architectural Easements area representative Dan Reardon.
To obtain a photograph of the former Van Tassell & Kearney Horse Auction Mart building, please contact: Christine Hagan, Kogan Communications & Design - 443-495-1211 or hagan@kogancom.com.
For Immediate Release
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Two New York City Buildings, both Integral to the History of the Engineering Profession, Listed on National Register of Historic Places
Turn-of-Century Adjoining Building in Midtown Manhattan, built by Andrew Carnegie,
earn federal designation for historical significance
September 19, 2007 ... New York, NY ...
The elegant adjoining buildings at 28-36 West 40th Street and 23-33 West 39th Street that were the focal point of the nation’s early engineering profession have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The announcement was made today by the Trust for Architectural Easements (www.architecturaltrust.org) (formerly the National Architectural Trust), which was instrumental in supporting the nomination of the buildings for the important designation.
“These two buildings are a landmark to the growth of America’s industrial society,” said Steve McClain, president of the Trust for Architectural Easements. “The engineering profession is intimately connected with the growth of the United States into a major industrial and economic power. At a time when the engineering profession was profoundly impacting the development of our nation, the focus of that activity was here. Today’s federal designation is well deserved.”
A prominent New York architectural historian, Anthony Robins of Thompson & Columbus, wrote the report nominating the buildings to the National Register of Historic Places. The report was submitted to and affirmed by the New York State Historic Preservation Office, which officially submitted the nomination to the National Park Service, the administrator of the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1904, steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie gifted $1.5 million to build a headquarters for the burgeoning engineering societies, as well as the Engineers’ Club, a social club of the variety growing increasingly prominent in New York at the time. The move was consistent with his focus on building not only libraries, but also constructing buildings for organizations that performed other educational or scientific functions. And, he had a personal connection to the engineering profession because of his leadership in the steel industry.
He and the involved professional organizations decided upon two distinct buildings, one for the Engineers’ Club, and the other as a combined headquarters for three different engineering societies: the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the American Institute of Mining Engineers. The two buildings – the West 39th Street location for the Engineers’ Club and the West 40th Street location for engineering societies – were to be interconnected for purpose and function, but each was to be architecturally distinct.
For more than 60 years, the two buildings served as the epicenter of the American engineering profession. The engineering societies occupied the space until 1957. The Engineers’ Club remained at the location until 1979. Today the Engineers’ Club building contains cooperative apartments. The Engineering Societies’ Building has since served as a photographic arts center, and a design headquarters for clothing designer Tommy Hilfiger.
“Architects Whitfield & King (Engineers’ Club) and Hale and Morse (Engineering Societies' Building) created designs that matched the buildings' separate functions: a stylish club building facing Bryant Park, and a more subdued, though still elegant, professional headquarters on West 39th Street,” said Anthony Robins. “The location too reflects the dual use: near other social clubs, but also just across the street from the city's grand new Public Library – supplementing the Club's unparalleled engineering library. Together, the two newly listed buildings stand as handsome reminders of the role that engineering has played in the creation of New York City – inconceivable without the engineering triumphs of its bridges, subways, water works and skyscrapers.”
“The National Register of Historic Places is the federal program that provides public recognition of our nation’s historic resources, whether those be architectural, cultural, or archaeological” said Heather Massler, an architectural historian and Director of Operations and Stewardship at the Trust for Architectural Easements. “The listing of a property is significant because, in addition to honoring a property’s history, it means consideration of the property in the planning for federal undertakings, eligibility for federal tax benefits, and qualification for federal historic preservation grants, when funds are available. It’s an important piece of the voluntary preservation puzzle.”
Trust for Architectural Easements Press Release
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Fifteen Beacon Street, the Current Site of Boston’s Renowned XV Beacon Hotel, Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
15 Beacon Street
1903 Classical Revival Building Receives Federal Honor for its Historic Significance
September 20, 2007 ... Boston, MA ...
The elegant building that houses the renowned XV Beacon Hotel in downtown Boston has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a federal designation that bestows honor on one of Boston’s architecturally and historically significant buildings. The announcement was made today by the Trust for Architectural Easements (www.architecturaltrust.org) (formerly the National Architectural Trust), which was instrumental in supporting the nomination of the building for the important designation.
“Fifteen Beacon Street is a jewel of New England architectural history,” said Steve McClain, president of the Trust for Architectural Easements. “Much of Boston’s mercantile, cultural and political heritage can be traced to upper Beacon Street and this very location. Today it earns its proper place among our nation’s architectural treasures.”
A prominent Boston architectural historian, Pauline Chase-Harrell of Boston Affiliates, wrote the report nominating 15 Beacon Street to the National Register of Historic Places. The report was submitted to and affirmed by the Boston Landmarks Commission and then the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which officially submitted the nomination to the National Park Service, the administrator of the National Register of Historic Places.
Potential impacts on 15 Beacon Street now will be considered during planning for federal, federally-licensed or federally-assisted projects in the vicinity. In addition, the property may qualify for federal historic preservation grants when funds are available.
Plans for the commercial building at 15 Beacon Street were drawn in 1903 by architect William Gibbons Preston, and the building was completed in 1905. The building’s first occupant was the Boston Transit Commission, which is credited as the nation’s first public transportation agency, and which built the nation’s first subway system. The building was deeded to the City of Boston in 1920, and the Boston School Committee occupied the building until 1976 and oversaw the busing crisis from its offices there during the 1960s and 1970s. From 1976 to 1997, the Department of Public Facilities and its successor, the Department of Neighborhood Development, were housed in the high-rise.
In 1997 the property was conveyed to the Boston Redevelopment Authority. It was subsequently purchased by Paul Roiff, a prominent Boston developer and entrepreneur, who converted it into XV Beacon (www.xvbeacon.com), an elegant 60-room boutique hotel. Designed by Celeste Cooper, then-creative director of Repertoire, a Boston-based design atelier, XV Beacon is handsomely modernist yet retains accents of “Old Boston,” such as the building’s original cage elevator and its cast-brass lit railing with brass newel post in the lobby. Artwork is also prominent throughout XV Beacon, whose collection includes works by renowned artists including Gilbert Stuart, Martha Lloyd, Joe Greene, Tony Evanko and Ben Freeman, who were specially commissioned to create pieces for the hotel. XV Beacon is also home to MOOO…, the newest steakhouse experience in Boston. Guests enjoy easy proximity to one of the city’s most prominent neighborhoods, and the hotel is located just a block from Boston Common and the gold-domed Massachusetts State House.
“This handsome ten-story commercial building embodies the Classical Revival style of the late-19th and early 20th centuries,” said Pauline Chase-Harrell. “Its characteristics include use of symmetry, hierarchy of spaces, and heavy use of architectural details. Preston was one of Boston's leading architects in the late 19th century, and in his hands, 15 Beacon Street incorporates many Beaux-Arts accents, such as gilded shields and scrolls, a painted cast iron storefront, and a commanding copper cornice. The grand marble staircase adds to the Beaux-Arts grandeur. It is fully worthy of this important national recognition.”
“We are thrilled that this recognition has been extended to the building that houses our world-class hotel,” said XV Beacon Hotel general manager William Sander. “This building juxtaposes cutting-edge technology with extraordinary Classical Revival styling, making us a refined hotel that combines peerless personal service with the intimacy of a private residence. We believe this designation only adds to the history and allure of our facility for anyone visiting Boston.”
“As an organization committed to the preservation of American architecture, we commend the National Park Service for listing 15 Beacon Street on the National Register of Historic Places. We are always delighted to see the voluntary preservation movement in action, protecting the historical and architectural integrity of America’s cities,” said Heather Massler, an architectural historian and Director of Operations and Stewardship at the Trust for Architectural Easements.
For more information about XV Beacon Hotel, please contact Jennifer Hawkins at (212) 255-6541 or jennifer@hawkpr.com.
Trust for Architectural Easements Press Release
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Wall Street Historic District Announcement
More Structures Within Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood Now Qualify for Federal Preservation Programs and Incentives
On April 4, 2007, the Secretary of the Interior acted to increase the number of qualified properties in the Beacon Hill Historic District. Specifically, many structures built or altered between 1920 and 1955 are now included in the National Historic Landmark designation and eligible for federal protections.
“This is great news for all Americans who are committed to the preservation of our nation’s finest and least altered early urban environments,” said Steven McClain, President of the Trust for Architectural Easements. “Beacon Hill constitutes one of the finest and best preserved examples of a large early republic or federal period urban area in the United States. We commend the National Park Service for recognizing the national historic significance of Beacon Hill by including more properties in the area that contribute to the neighborhood’s proud heritage.”
The Trust for Architectural Easements sponsored the detailed study and application to revise the definition of the Beacon Hill National Historic Landmark and include architecturally significant structures built or altered between 1920 and 1955, when the Historic Beacon Hill District was created. The Trust and local architectural historians worked with the guidance and support of the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the significance of Beacon Hill as a National Historic Landmark all proposed changes required expensive review, including final approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
Beacon Hill, the first local Historic District to be created outside the South, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. At that time, only structures built by 1835 were considered as contributing to the historic district, and Beacon Hill was described as a well-preserved “Early Republic or Federal Period Urban Area.” In the 1980s, the period of significance was extended to 1920 to include the Victorian, Colonial Revival and Neo-Federal styles, allowing buildings such as the Lincolnshire Hotel and Charles River Square to be designated as contributing to the historical significance of the district. In addition, the growing understanding of the significant role that the African Meeting House and the African American community around it had played during the abolition movement was also recognized as a nationally significant aspect of the district.
“It was a pleasure to be a catalyst in a process that resulted in a more accurate, complete recognition of the architectural heritage of Beacon Hill, which is a focal point of American history,” said Pauline Chase-Harrell, a former Boston Landmarks Commission Chairwoman and current President of Boston Affiliates, the consulting firm contracted by the Trust for Architectural Easements to conduct the study and submit the detailed application to the National Park Service. “What was missing in the Beacon Hill designation up until now was recognition of the significance of its architecture and urban planning that extends well into the 20th century, when it played a key role in both the development of the Colonial and Federal Revival styles and the creation of the historic preservation movement in the United States. The designation also now includes recognition of the way in which social reforms and literature have been found to contribute to the national significance of the area. The combination of the original areas of architecture and urban design along with the newly documented 20th century reinterpretation of that architectural heritage and the historic preservation movement gives the Beacon Hill Historic District its multilayered national significance.”
Impacts on the properties now included in the Beacon Hill National Historic Landmark will be considered during planning for federal, federally-licensed or federally-assisted projects because of the updated designation. In addition, property owners in the district may be eligible for federal tax benefits, and properties in the district may qualify for federal historic preservation grants when funds are available.
“Today’s development is great news for property owners in Beacon Hill,” said Edward Gordon, a Boston-based independent architectural historian who worked with Boston Affiliates on the study and application. “In addition to better understanding the Hill’s unique heritage, more people now will be able to participate in preserving the fabric of this great community. While none of the properties newly considered significant will be subject to additional restrictions under the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission, they will now be eligible for additional federal benefits such as tax incentives for rehabilitation of commercial buildings or for the donation of preservation restrictions.”
“Up until now, perhaps 10-15 percent of the property owners in this great historic district were forced to bear the costs if they felt committed to preserving their historic property, as government programs designed to help defray such costs were unavailable to them,” said Mory Bahar, the Trust for Architectural Easement's area manager in Boston. “But now they can take advantage of all the government tools created to assist and provide incentive for their work as voluntary guardians.”
Trust for Architectural Easements Press Release
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Wall Street Historic District Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
New York City's Federal Hall National Memorial
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash, along with U.S. Representatives Charles Rangel and Jerrold Nadler, Headline Event at Federal Hall
March 5, 2007 … New York, NY … The Wall Street Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that bestows honor and affords protection to one of the nation’s most architecturally- and historically-significant business districts.
The announcement was made this morning at New York City’s Federal Hall National Memorial during a press conference hosted by the National Architectural Trust in partnership with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the National Park Service. The event featured Carol Ash, incoming Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the agency of which the SHPO is a part, and two distinguished members of Congress: Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who represents the Wall Street Historic District, and Rep. Charles Rangel, the new chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.
“The Wall Street District is an unmistakable symbol of the American Dream, and today’s listing serves to preserve, protect and share its remarkable history,” said Commissioner Ash. “The New York SHPO is delighted to be part of this momentous occasion, and to play a role in preserving the heritage and spreading the word about the history of one of the world’s great business districts. We thank all of those who were instrumental in helping achieve this important listing.”
In January, the New York SHPO recommended the Wall Street Historic District to the National Park Service for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, following public input and a public hearing on the proposed nomination. The nomination was based on the District’s fulfillment of two National Register criteria: 1) its association with significant historic events and 2) its embodiment of the distinctive characteristics of a time period, type of building, or method of construction and its representation of the work of master architects.
“It’s an important day for our great city,” said Rep. Rangel. “It is an honor to be a part of this historically-significant event and to see the Wall Street District recognized for its tremendous role in shaping our nation’s identity.”
The impact on properties in the Wall Street Historic District will now be considered during planning for federal, federally-licensed, or federally-assisted projects because of the listing. In addition, property owners in the District may be eligible for federal tax benefits, and properties in the District may qualify for federal historic preservation grants when funds are available.
The site of the morning event – Federal Hall National Memorial – was ideal because the building showcases the quality of the District’s architectural treasures. Built from 1833 to 1842, the former Customs House exemplifies high-style Greek Revival architecture and serves as a prime example of the rich diversity of architectural styles in the Wall Street Historic District. In 1789, George Washington was inaugurated on the site of Federal Hall National Memorial.
“I am proud to represent Wall Street today,” said Rep. Nadler. “It has a rich heritage as a center of commerce, economy, community planning, politics and government. And its architecture is world-renowned. Today is a day to celebrate all that Wall Street represents to our nation.”
Although the Wall Street Historic District is the site of New York City’s earliest settlement, New Amsterdam, almost nothing other than the street pattern survives from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries because of the Great Fire of 1835. Yet, the District is rich in architectural treasures from that moment forward. It includes significant buildings from as late as 1967, and a world-class collection of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century styles such as French Second Empire, Renaissance Revival, and Beaux-Arts. More commonly recognized, the District contains a world class collection of early skyscrapers representing revival styles as well as early modern styles such as Art Deco, Modern, and the International Style.
“It’s possible that no single area tells the story of America's progression from a primarily rural nation to a diverse industrial society as well as the Wall Street Historic District,” said Steven McClain, emcee of the press conference and President of the National Architectural Trust. “The buildings of the District tell us who we are as an industrialized nation. As an organization committed to the preservation of American architecture, we commend the National Park Service for listing the Wall Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, and we are proud to help celebrate this momentous occasion.”
Trust Leads Effort to Update Beacon Hill National Historic Landmark Designation
The National Architectural Trust (NAT) has announced plans to submit a detailed study and application to the National Park Service to revise the definition of the Beacon Hill National Historic Landmark to include architecturally-significant structures built or altered between 1920 and 1955. Beacon Hill, the first local historic district to be created outside the South, was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. At the time, it was listed as a well-preserved "Early republic or Federal period urban area," and only structures built by 1835 were considered as contributing to the historic district. In the 1980s, the period of significance was extended to 1930 to include the Victorian, Colonial Revival and Neo-Federal styles, allowing buildings such as the Lincolnshire Hotel and Charles River Square to be designated as contributing to the district. In addition, with the growing understanding of the significant role the African American Meeting House and the black community around it had played in the Abolition movement, this, too, was recognized as a significant aspect of the district.
Following NAT staff review and recommendations, the study will be sent to the National Historic Landmark Advisory Board. A final decision on the application could come as early as the Board's fall meeting in November.
Entire Beacon Hill Press Release
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NYC Council Revokes Landmark Status on Brooklyn Landmark
On December 2, 2005, the New York Times reported landmark status was revoked by vote of the New York City Council for a 1915 Gilbert Cass building in Brooklyn. This building which is identified as a significant historic resource by both the Department of Interior's National Register of Historic Places and the NYC Landmark Commission is now no longer protected by city ordinances and is scheduled to go through major alteration considered to be inappropriate by historic preservationists. This is another example of how historic preservation easements can prove to be a significant protection for historic properties, if used, even when protected by local ordinances. Subsequent to this article, Mayor Bloomberg vetoed the NYC Council decision which was then overturned by the Council, finalizing the decision to remove protections from this historic landmark.
NYC Council Revokes Landmark Status on Brooklyn Landmark
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Political Pressure On NYC Landmarks Commission
According to the New York Times in an article of November 14, 2005, the New York City Landmarks Commission is receiving political heat from the New York City Council. The New York City Council has recently overturned the NYC Landmarks Commission decision to grant landmark status to the Jamaica State Savings Bank, is considering the revoking of landmark status for the 1915 Gilbert Cass designed Austin, Nichols and Company building and is refusing to consider landmark protection for the 2 Columbus Circle Building which is about to undergo a highly publicized and complete alteration. (See the CBS News Sunday Morning Report below and go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Columbus_Circle for more information on 2 Columbus Circle.)
Political Pressure On NYC Landmarks Commission
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The Case for Preservation Easements
The following research document prepared by architectural historian, Anthony Robins of Thompson & Columbus, Inc. was prepared in May 2005 and provides a thorough analysis of why Federal historic preservation protections remain a necessity even where local preservation protections exist.
The Case for Preservation Easements
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Preservation Versus Demolition: A CBS News Sunday Morning Report
On August 21, 2005, CBS News Sunday Morning reported on several examples of historic buildings being demolished or threatened with demolition across the nation. Locations represented in the report included Illinois, Missouri and New York. Although not covered in the report, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program, if used, could provide legal protection for these properties.
Several organizations were mentioned in the article, none of which have an affiliation with the National Architectural Trust.
Click here to see the news article.
Preservation Versus Demolition: A CBS News Sunday Morning Report
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National Registered Landmark Demolished
On March 31, 2005, the New York Times published an article that is a representative example of where the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program, if used, would have provided legal protection for this ornate, marble clad landmark. Its demolition was merely to facilitate the construction of a parking garage. Although identified on the National Register as a significant historic resource by the Department of Interior, this in itself did not provide the required protection to save this very important building.
Please note that the article is critical of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, initially founded by the federal government but now a private non-profit organization. The National Architectural Trust is not affiliated with this organization or any of the other preservation organizations mentioned in this article.
National Registered Landmark Demolished
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