The scaffold on 172 Duane, the townhouse on the south side of Duane Park, is finally coming down and while this is a welcome sight — and a relief for neighbors and pedestrians — there is plenty more to do.

The building has been under construction since 2015, and when I last did an update a year ago, it had been dormant for at least six years. Now most of the scaffold is removed, though the diamond plate steps and the entrance are still awaiting repairs.

The historic building has a very modern four-story addition and was originally scheduled to be a two-family dwelling. An occupancy list in the permits from 2023 showed plans for an “apparel and display studio” on 1; offices on the mezzanine and 2; then two apartments on each of floors 3, 4, 5 and 6, plus a roof terrace.

The original building has fanciful cast-iron columns going up two stories; a design from the ’80s called for an 8000-square-foot addition by the Italian architect who modernized the building in the ’80s — Vincenzo Polsinelli. In 2020, I happened to hear from Polsinelli, who is American and has practiced in the U.S. since 1980. He was last involved in this project in 2009. After he got the original approval from Landmarks, the owner hired another architect, who I am assuming added the vertical metal structure that looks like a scaffold. Polsinelli added: “The design (do not know who did it) is really lacking sensibility for this rich neighborhood. Very surprised Landmarks approved the change!”

The building’s history is featured here in Tom Miller’s post. It was also the longtime HQ of hip-hop impresario Damon Dash, who had a lease there until 2011.