After I ran this post about the triangle site at 14 White, where it looked to me like they were just fixing up the curbs and sidewalks, or at least that’s all I could find at the DOB site, I got a note from Frank LePera of Parametric Development Group, who is developing the site along with his partners at the architecture firm NAVA.

Construction will start this month on what will be a six-story building with a partial seventh floor to house six or seven residential units and ground floor commercial. The site is quirky, so the developers had asked for a bit more height, but the Board of Standards and Appeals shortened them a bit. They are aiming to be done in 18 months.

These renderings are from their original presentation to Landmarks in 2017 and are similar but not exact: the new designs are being done by JFG Architects and will feature metal alloy siding. “The façade is beautiful,” LaPera said, and he promised to pass along some renderings when they have them ready.

His company also recently completed 80 East 10th Street, for a reference.

“When we presented this building to Landmarks they were honestly sort of gaga over it,” LaPera said. “They approved it unanimously without a single objection.”

The original plan was for an 85-foot high building with a higher square footage than the zoning (in the Tribeca East Historic District) would allow; the BSA would not give them the variance, despite the hardship of having to build around the subway below, hence the slightly shorter building this time around.

The lot has a special mention in the Tribeca East Historic District designation report, since it is the only property in the district with a Sixth Avenue address — #15.

“In 1928-1930 Sixth Avenue was extended southward causing the demolition of several five and six-story store and loft buildings near White Street and creating the triangular sites now used as parking lots that line the west side of the avenue from Franklin Street north to White Street. Sixth Avenue was subsequently renamed Avenue of the Americas in honor of the Organization of American States, though the street’s historic name is still commonly used.

In 1930 Sixth Avenue was extended southward to Franklin Street, cutting through Block 191 and necessitating the demolition of eight store and loft buildings on the north side of White Street near Church Street. A triangular lot was created at the northwest corner of the intersection of Sixth Avenue and White Street, encompassing parts of what originally were lots 7 and 8. In 1946 lot 8, which was vacant, was converted into the present parking lot.”