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Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
Demolition on Duane
The word is that the residents of the rent-stabilized building at 118-120 Duane (where Capital Audio was) have received letters notifying them of the forthcoming demolition of the building. Paperwork filed with the Department of Buildings refers to both a partial demolition and a full demolition; confusing matters further is the recently posted “store for rent” sign. I called and emailed the owner, United American Land, but I received no response. Back in November, UAL’s Albert Laboz insisted that the company was “not planning anything” for the quartet of buildings it owns at that corner (118-120 Duane and the three buildings to the southwest). “We like to leave the buildings the way they are,” he told me at the time.
UPDATE: Thanks to James for clearing up the full-vs.partial demolition question:
DOB approved a construction code waiver for this building project in 2015 which states: “We propose to maintain all perimeter foundations and remove the existing basement slab and interior footings. […] All perimeter foundations are being retained to maintain the structural stability of the adjacent building and sidewalk. […] The perimeter foundations provide vertical support for the adjacent building and sidewalk. […] The portion of existing 118 Duane Street structure from the 3rd floor down to sub-cellar grade that provides existing emergency egress for the adjacent 116 Duane Street at the 2nd floor is to be maintained.”
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Sounds like they’re not fully up-to-speed on the details of the classic “demolition scam” just yet. Might be a while until they get to the court precedents. I lived in 120 briefly in the mid-seventies. Nice, solid building.
Re partial vs full demolition, DOB approved a construction code waiver for this building project in 2015 which states:
“We propose to maintain all perimeter foundations and remove the existing basement slab and interior footings.
“All perimeter foundations are being retained to maintain the structural stability of the adjacent building and sidewalk.
“The perimeter foundations provide vertical support for the adjacent building and sidewalk. […]
“The portion of existing 118 Duane Street structure from the 3rd floor down to sub-cellar grade that provides existing emergency egress for the adjacent 116 Duane Street at the 2nd floor is to be maintained.”
What UAL is trying to pull off is widely known as a “phony demolition .”
That ploy was tried unsuccessfully by the owners of City
Hall restaurant a few years ago and with the help of Assembly Member Deborah Glick and their very good lawyers those rent stabilized tenants are still
There. A very good lawyer is handling 120’s tenants and Glick is also on the case. We’re hoping right wins again as the law is very clear here. And we now have precedent.