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Nosy Neighbor: What’s That White Thing on 56 Leonard?
What’s that white thing on the third-floor balcony at 56 Leonard? Is the building going to have more art besides the Anish Kapoor sculpture at the base? —G.
I’m always relieved when someone else is as curious as I am. The perforated white whatsit was hoisted up to the balcony on June 3, then subsequently unwrapped. A resident I asked was mum about the matter, so I tried the doormen, who were friendly but weren’t even aware of it. They did say that the residences don’t start till the ninth or tenth floor, so when a media rep for the developer said, “This is a private residence and the art piece is part of the owner’s personal collection,” I pushed back. “I think it’s being held there until the person officially moves in,” she clarified.
And that’s all we know unless someone out there knows more…. And no, we don’t know when the Anish Kapoor sculpture is due. The last we unofficially heard was late summer/early fall.
UPDATE: “Did some sleuthing and I believe that is the apartment of Lee Mindel of the firm Shelton Mindel, or one of his clients,” commented TG. “You can see the reflection of the sculpture on his Instagram post.” Excellent sleuthing! But I don’t know that we can assume it’s anyone’s apartment—as mentioned above, the residences don’t start that low. I’ve reached out to see if they’ll tell us anything about the object and/or where it’ll end up.
UPDATE 6/20: “Apartments start on the third floor,” commented Evan, which is the Schedule A form on the Department of Buildings site confirms (although the certificate of occupancy says the two apartments are on the west side, which makes no sense). The question stands: What is that white thing? Art? Is it going to end up on someone’s balcony?
Got a question? Email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.
Previous Nosy Neighbor posts:
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• What’s happening to the building at Canal and Vestry?
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• Why are construction fences always green?
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• What’s this Citi Bike pole?
• Is there a Moore Street?
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• What’s that terrace above Le District?
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• Why is the MTA parking buses on Church?
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• How come film shoots have a trailer with doors marked “Lucy” and “Desi”?
6 Comments
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It’s white construction fencing.
No, it’s not.
Hey Erik-
Did some sleuthing and I believe that is the apartment of Lee Mindel of the firm Shelton Mindel, or one of his clients. You can see the reflection of the sculpture on his instagram post, seen here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjk7djZjXKK/?hl=en
Apartments start on the third floor. I’d upload the CO if I could. Of note: it’s a 1968 code building–meaning this development is a long time coming.
No, it means that because this is an old, existing building, the 2014 Building Code does not necessarily apply.
§28-101.4.3 Optional use of the 1968 building code for work on prior code buildings.At the option of the owner, and subject to applicable provisions of this code,work on prior code buildings maybe performed in accordance with the requirements and standards set forth in the 1968 building code, or where the 1968 code so authorizes, the code in effect prior to December 6, 1968.
Exceptions:
1.Fuel gas, plumbing and mechanical work. The installation of and work on all appliances, equipment and systems regulated by the New York city fuel gas code, the New York city plumbing code and the New York city mechanical code shall be governed by applicable provisions of those codes relating to new and existing installations.
2.Fire protection systems.Alterations of buildings and changes of use or occupancy shall be governed by chapter 9 of the New Yorkcity building code, subject to special provisions for prior code buildings as set forth therein.
3.Elevators, conveyors and amusement rides.The installation of and work on elevators, conveyors, and amusement rides shall be governed by chapter 30 and appendix K of the New York city building code and the rules of the department, subject to special provisions for prior code buildings as set forth therein.
4.Safety during construction operations.Safety of public and property during construction operations including demolition shall be governed by chapter 33 of the New York city building code.
5.Accessibility.Alterations, including minor alterations, of buildings and changes of use or occupancy, shall be governed by chapter 11 of the New York city building code, subject to special provisions for prior code buildings as set forth therein.
6.Encroachments into the public right of way.Encroachments onto the public right of way shall be governed by chapter 32 of the New York city building code.
7.Administration and enforcement.Except as otherwise limited by the commissioner, administration and enforcement of the 1968 building code shall be in accordance with this code, including but not limited to approval of construction documents, issuance of permits and certificates of occupancy, tests and inspections, penalties and enforcement.
8. Special inspections.Controlled inspections and semi-controlled inspections as referenced in the 1968 building code shall be deemed to be special inspections and shall be governed by the provisions of this code relating to special inspections.
9. Materials.Materials regulated in their use by the 1968 building code shall be subject to applicable provisions of this code.
10. Security grilles.The installation and replacement of security grilles shall comply withsection 1008.1.4.5of the New York city building code.
11. Energy efficiency.All work related to energy efficiency shall be regulated by the New York city energy conservation code.
12. Roof recovering and replacements.
12.1.Installation and materials. Work involving the recovering or replacing of an existing roof covering shall be governed by sections 1510.1 through 1510.6 of the New York city building code;
12.2.Cool roofs.Work involving the recovering or replacing of an existing roof covering shall comply with section 1504.9 of the New York city building code unless the area to be recovered or replaced is less than fifty percent of the roof area and less than 500 square feet (46m2).
12.3.Green roofs.Notwithstanding the applicant’s election to use the 1968 building code or prior code, work involving green roof systems and container gardens shall be permitted to be performed pursuant to Chapter 15 of the New York city building code.
13. Handrails.Where the alteration of a building includes the addition or replacement of an entire stair enclosure including the stairs, handrails shall comply with section 1009.12 and section 1012 of the New York city building code. Where the alteration of a building includes the addition or replacement of ramps, handrails shall comply with section 1010.8 and section 1012 of such code.
14. Guards.Where the alteration or repair of a building involves the addition or replacement of guards, such guards shall comply with sections 1013 and 1607.7 of the New York city building code.
15. Areas of special flood hazard.Within areas of special flood hazard in accordance with section 28-104.9.4, all work for any activity regulated by Appendix G of the New York city building code shall be governed by such appendix.
16. Structural.The use of load resistance factor design (LRFD), calculation of live loads, and applicability of seismic and wind loads shall be governed by special provisions for prior code buildings as set forth in section 1601.2 of the New York city building code.
17. Emergency and standby power systems.The installation of and work on emergency and standby power systems shall comply with section 2702.1 of the New York city building code.
18. Parking garages and open parking lots.Where an alteration of a parking garage or an open parking lot includes an increase in the size of the electric service, such alteration shall include provisions for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in accordance with section 406.2.11 or 406.7.11 of the New York city building code, as applicable.
19.Mold protection.Alterations shall comply with sections 2506 and 2509 of the New York city building code relating to areas subject to moisture or water damage
That sculpture is by Marc Fornes, also Known as “THEVERYMANY”
He’s a brooklyn based sculptor/architect