It's been over a year since there was any action at 250 West Street, where a group of Russian investors reportedly purchased from Elad Properties the 1906 neo-Renaissance style 11-story warehouse designed by William H. Birkmire. The plan was to convert it to a batch of 80-90 condos and, up top, add a 5,000 square foot penthouse with sweeping views of the Hudson and points west. The big project, set for completion in 2010, was said to be designed by the British firm of David Chipperfield Architects. All those optimistic plans were stymied by last fall's big freeze. Then, this June, an Elad executive told the Downtown Express that the Russians had defaulted on the purchase.
Now new applications have shown up at DOB, listing the owner as "EL-AD 250 West LLC." Recent filings cite the architect of record as Francis Pisani Architect and show a change of contractors on the job. The project is winding its way through the approval process, and a scheduled hearing before the Landmarks Preservation Commission, set for August 11, has been "Laid Over" to a future date. In preparation for LPC review the development team has erected a "TEMPORARY MOCK STRUCTURE ON ROOF AS PER LANDMARKS" and the faux penthouse can be spied from the parks across the West Side Highway. From what can be seen, the new addition will have equally starry views as those enjoyed by sky-high neighbors at the River Lofts to the north. With a bit of luck and some good planning, this new penthouse project will avoid the star-crossed fate of another Tribeca roof-top addition.
· Under Cover - Credit Squeeze [Downtown Express]
· 250 West Street Job Overview [NYC DOB website]
· Tribeca 'Townhouse' Battle at West St. Condo Conversion [Curbed]
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