LPC Approves Dumbo Historic District
December 18th, 2007
The Landmarks Preservation Commission has granted landmark status to the Dumbo Historic District.
The Commission voted unanimously 8-0 this afternoon to protect the blocks and 91 historic buildings in Dumbo. The new historic district is bound by John Street to the north, York Street to the south, Main Street to the west and Bridge Street to the east. According to the LPC, the Dumbo area was “essential to Brooklyn’s rise as a major American industrial center and was the home of some of the most important industrial firms in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century America including Arbuckle Brothers (coffee and sugar), J. W. Masury & Son (paint), Robert Gair (paper boxes), E. W. Bliss (machinery), and Brillo (steel wool). The buildings in the district reflect the extraordinary diversity of Brooklyn’s industrial development, with manufactured and processed goods including coffee, tea, sugar, machinery, paint, varnish, paper boxes, shoes, soap, ale, and steel wool. By the early twentieth century, Brooklyn was the fourth largest manufacturing center in the entire country and a significant portion of this manufacturing was done in DUMBO.”
The Dumbo Historic District also protects its dramatic streetscapes. The Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge soar over the Belgian Block streets, some with remnants of the old Jay Street Connecting Railroad along Plymouth Street, to connect the former warehouses. In 1959, the Jay Street Connecting Railroad ceased to operate. Commission Chairman Robert B. Tierney states:
“DUMBO’s distinctively designed buildings and sublime vistas survive to this day, and still define its character, even as it has evolved into a largely residential neighborhood. This designation will ensure that this still-evolving neighborhood retains its unique historic character.”
Now the City Council needs to sign off on the designation. City Councilman David Yassky has publicly supported Dumbo landmarking and testified at the LDC that Dumbo is worthy of preservation.
LPC Press Release: Landmarks Preservation Commission Designates Dumbo As New York City’s 90th Historic District (pdf)
Previously:
{Dumbo Historic District Landmark Moving Forward, 31Oct07}
{LPC Public Hearing for Dumbo Historic District Tomorrow, 29Oct07}
{Dumbo Landmarking Calendared for 30Oct2007, 01Oct07}
{LPC Voted 8-0 to Consider Dumbo a Historic District, 26July07}
{Dumbo Historic District to Be Calendared Today, 24July07}
{NY Times Highlights Dumbo Neighborhood Association, 4June2007 }
{Any Feedback from the LPC Meeting?, 19April2007}
{Dumbo Landmarking Meeting on Thursday at 10am, 17April2007}
December 18th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
what does this mean for the proposed two trees development?
December 18th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Two Trees’ Dock Street tower is outside the proposed Dumbo historic district. It is also not a part of the Fulton Ferry historic district, so the Dumbo designation doesn’t have any impact on the Doct Street tower.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
any news on the previously mentioned upzoning for in-zone non-historical buildings and out-zone perimeter parcels?
December 18th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
[...] this afternoon to make DUMBO a historic district. Now all that's left is NYC Council approval. DUMBONYC.com: LPC Approves…:The Commission voted unanimously 8-0 this afternoon to protect the blocks and 91 historic buildings [...]
December 18th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Hopefully, the city council’s appreciation of DUMBO’s historic signifigance and contemporary value will be reflected in their squashing of 2 trees plans to diminish both the neighborhood and the bridge with it’s grotesque edifice.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
The proposed tower will be built about 15′ from my living room window. There goes the view so I am obviously upset about it. But! aside from that, I think this is a pretty darn good day for dumbo. It was the neighborhood’s wonderful feel that will be preserved and thats cool. I’d love to say thank you to those that put so much hard work into getting this done.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
BrooklynLove, there were no mentions of the rezoning one way or the other.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I wonder how this will affect new businesses in the neighborhood. I know of one in particular who is about to have an exterior sign installed, curious how that will go. What’s allowed, not allowed, etc.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Landmarks has already had their failed architect students photograph the entire neighborhood.If his sign went up the day before approval it would be a violation. He better have a discreet little awning with something like “Ye Olde Cell Phone Shoppe” on it.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:28 am
A good example: Halcyon, the record store. They have a very clever sign. If they were just opening up, that sign would not be allowed. Unfortunately the sign is damaged. If they choose to fix it someday, they will get a violation. Any sign that predates landmark designation and doesn’t come up to their high falutin’ standards can stay but you are not allowed to repair or replace the same. Good luck trying to open your little “edgy” gift shop in this neighborhood now.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:35 am
[...] as the DUMBO Historic District, the neighborhood was voted by the Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday. Simeon Bankoff, the Executive Director of The Historic Districts Council, the city wide advocate [...]
December 19th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
thanks, dumbonyc.
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
just curious if anyone knows next steps here other than city council sign off. do we get fancy new brown street signs? will our awful half belgian block/half pavement streets get fixed anytime soon? any other implications?
January 10th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Congratulations.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
[...] Landmark Commission noted in the DUMBO Historic District designation report that describe 192 Water Street as an “American Round Arch style stable designed by Edward N. [...]
August 14th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
[...] recreated in any new condo development. Technically, this building is within the boundaries of the Dumbo Historic District. Here’s the video that was produced by Social [...]
August 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
[...] recreated in any new condo development. Technically, this building is within the boundaries of the Dumbo Historic District. Here’s the video that was produced by Social [...]
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
[...] Witness (aka The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society). Because the Landmarks Preservation Commission granted landmark status to these buildings in Dumbo, the building exterior won’t change much in the future as well. [...]
July 29th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
[...] but the truth is, they’re in the Fulton Ferry Historic District and there’s a lot more history east of Washington Street in Dumbo as well. If visitors want to see the artist studios, [...]
November 30th, 2010 at 11:32 am
[...] {How Dumbo Got Its Name and What It Was Almost Called, 21May2007} {LPC Approves Dumbo Historic District, 18Dec2007} Filed in Dumbo in Media at 1:46 am View [...]
May 31st, 2011 at 9:07 am
[...] restaurant space in the area. This has to do with out-of-sight ductwork requirement to the roof of landmarked designated buildings in Dumbo, which is difficult and expensive. There are restaurateurs, celebrity Top Chefs, and world class [...]
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November 16th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
[...] Landmarks Preservation Commission granted landmark status to the Dumbo Historic District on December 18, 2007. Almost five years after the Dumbo Historic District designation, the terra-cotta colored Historic [...]