The Heywood, at 263 Ninth Avenue (at West 26th Street) is an attractive-looking condo conversion. So attractive, in fact, that the residents want to make sure their new neighborhood isn't sullied. Per NYMag's Alec Appelbaum:
Lest you have any remaining question about who — private developers or city government — really has the upper hand in today's New York, take a look-see at the Housing Department's request for proposal for a public housing tower [planned for a block south of The Heywood]. It contains lines like: "Preference will be given to proposals that maximize light and air to the Heywood."... The developer also “must meet with the board of the Heywood upon designation and keep the board apprised.” Why? "The board is particularly concerned about the windows on its southern façade and would like to engage the developer in a discussion about design solutions and possible legal instruments to protect these windows."Concludes Applebaum, "In other words, developers have to make sure that if Heywood residents must live near poor people, at least they won't have to see them. Phew." Priced from $1.35 million!
· Poor People Should be Neither Seen nor Heard [Daily Intel]
· The Heywood [Official Site]