Preservationists Scramble to Save Row House at 339 Grand Street
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Neighborhood preservationists are springing into action to try and save 339 Grand Street. As we first reported last week, the Federal-style row house is currently on the block for $5 million. A song. Yet, many fear that demise is a distinct possibility since the 1832 structure is not landmarked. Even though the LPC did hear the case back in 2011.
The grassroots organization Friends of the Lower East Side is now turning up the pressure on Chairman Tierney to help save the building. In a recent email blast, the activists implore residents to contact the LPC and demand landmarking of 339 Grand. Here’s more from the plea:
Although the Commission heard testimony about the historic and architectural importance of the building from advocates for its preservation on June 28, 2011, it has not yet acted to designate this important structure.
I write with a deep sense of urgency to implore the Commission to immediately designate 339 Grand Street, currently on the market and slated for destruction. It is remarkable that the Federal-era row house, constructed 1831-32, survives in its original form on what was a major thoroughfare on the Lower East Side and the center of a thriving commercial district. Despite some alterations, the building exhibits typical elements of the Federal style, such as the three-bay facade, pitched roof and dormer, Flemish bond brickwork, and symmetrical window openings with rectangular masonry lintels and sills. Although not in pristine condition, 339 Grand Street retains a significant amount of its original features to qualify for landmark designation according to the standards made public by Commission staff.
Ideal Hosiery on the ground level is run by the Auerbach family (N&F Realty), which also owns the building.
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