The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has officially stamped landmark status on five historic buildings in the Garment District amongst important rezoning plans for Midtown South. During the proceedings last Tuesday, it became clear that these buildings are not only architecturally significant but also carry the cultural weight of the city’s fashion history. The Gothamist reported that this move comes shortly after the City Council nodded through a rezoning initiative aimed to enable nearly 10,000 new apartment units, including about 2,900 priced as affordable.
The designated buildings include the Barbey Building, Fashion Tower, Furcraft Building, 29th Street Towers, and the Lefcourt Clothing Center. Each edifice bears a unique tale from the early 20th century when the area thrived as the heart of New York’s fur and fashion industries. The Landmarks Preservation Commission's Executive Director Lisa Kersavage told Gothamist, “We are excited by the idea of residential conversions,” indicating that under the new zoning, conversions that preserve the exterior façade could proceed without commission oversight.
On the other hand, the landmarking decision did encounter some controversy, particularly regarding the Fashion Tower. Richard Lobel, an attorney representing the tower's owners, questioned the timing and urgency of the designation at a public hearing, as noted by the Gothamist. The LPC maintains that the buildings warrant preservation given their unique styles—ranging from the Fashion Tower’s Art Deco flourishes to the Barbey Building’s red brick and terracotta facade—and their roles in the city’s labor and industrial history.
According to a statement by Sarah Carroll, LPC Chair, to AMNewYork, the decision reflects a broader intention to acknowledge the district’s past while positioning for future growth. Carroll highlighted the significance of the buildings: “Designed by many of the city’s leading architects of the time, the buildings designated today are some of the Garment District’s most impressive examples of early 20th-century commercial architecture.” She went on to celebrate the detailed ornamentation that often nods directly to the garment trade.
Meanwhile, the rezoning plan continues to push forward, championed by figures like Manhattan Councilmember Erik Bottcher. Bottcher praised the landmarking as a means to honor "our city’s rich history and ensuring a vibrant, mixed-use future for Midtown South," as quoted by AMNewYork.
