Brooklyn Heights

Landmarked Montague Street building’s demolition approved by CB2

February 27, 2019 By Lore Croghan Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Community Board 2's Executive Committee supports residential development at 200 Montague St., which is the building at left. Eagle file photo by Lore Croghan
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Community Board 2’s Executive Committee unanimously voted Monday night to support new residential development at 200 Montague St. in Brooklyn Heights and allow the existing building to be demolished.

Midtown Equities wants to tear down the landmarked Modern architectural-style bank building on the site to make way for a 20-floor apartment tower.

Though 200 Montague St.’s exterior has been altered several times in its 60-year existence, the building was included in the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District, which was established in 2011.

The Executive Committee’s vote affirmed the decision CB2’s Land Use Committee made on Feb. 20 to approve the developer’s demolition and construction plans.

The committee’s recommendation now moves on to the city Landmarks Preservation Commission, which has legal authority over what’s built on properties in historic districts — and could forbid Midtown Equities from demolishing 200 Montague St.

Community boards play advisory roles in landmarking matters.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission’s hearing about the property is set for March 5 at 1 Centre St. in Manhattan. See the agenda here.

Midtown Equities wants to construct a residential tower at 200 Montague St., which is the second building from left in this drawing. Rendering by Beyer Blinder Belle
Midtown Equities wants to construct a residential tower at 200 Montague St., which is the second building from left in this drawing. Rendering by Beyer Blinder Belle
Beyer Blinder Belle designed the new tower

At the CB2 meeting held on Feb. 20, Beyer Blinder Belle architect Richard Metsky revealed design details of Midtown Equities’ proposed rental-apartment tower.

The facade would be a combination of limestone and pale-colored glass fiber reinforced concrete.

All 121 apartments are slated to be market-rate units.

The bank building on the site was constructed in 1959 and 1960 by the Lafayette Safe Deposit Company, according to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s designation report about the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District. Philip Birnbaum was the architect.

A more recent occupant of 200 Montague St., HSBC Bank, installed the building’s current facade in 2006.

The bank sold the property to Midtown Equities for $25 million in 2007, city Finance Department records indicate.

The property is also known as 192 Montague St. and 192-200 Montague St.

A preservationist group focused on Modern architecture, Docomomo New York/Tri-State, wants 200 Montague St. to be saved from the wrecking ball.

Follow Brooklyn Eagle reporter Lore Croghan on Twitter.

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