Hard to believe something this beautiful could also be illegal. But, emails an intrepid Curbed reader, the H&M advertecture currently fronting the Flatiron Building is exactly that, per order of the Department of Building. The nine violations?including #5, "sign creates hazardous wind load," follow, after the jump.
A Curbed reader emails:
Per your post, you should be aware that the advertising is illegal. I was informed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on 3/28 that: The Department of Buildings issued nine violations for the illegal advertising banner recently placed on the apex of the historic Flatiron Building at Madison Square today.
The violations were:
1. Failure to comply with filed plans. Plans called for a 4-foot high shed and they built it to 8 feet in order to accommodate the Citigroup ad.
2. Sign on surface area is too large.
3. Prohibited advertising sign.
4. Installing advertising sign without a permit.For the immense sign on the scaffolding:
5. Sign creates hazardous wind load.
6. Prohibited advertising sign on scaffold.
7. Sign exceeds the 40-foot height limit.
8. Surface area for the sign is too large.
9. Failure to get permit from Buildings Department.
· Surely this violates the Landmarks Preservation regulations? [Coonrod.net]
· Trend Alert: Advertecture at Flatiron Building [Curbed]
· Steichen's Flatiron Remixed [Curbed]