Online News From The Tribeca Trib

Architect Seeks Approval For Building with a Glow

by Barry Owens

Mid-block on Vestry Street, a strikingly modern residential building of glass and stone may be constructed. That the design is severe looking with a flat facade and slits of windows, is one striking feature for a structure in the Tribeca North Historic District.

Another is that the new building will glow.

Translucent stone, a faux-marble laminate that lets light through its milky looking veins, will allow lights from apartments to seep through the facade and cast a warm glow at night. By day, light from the outside will seep in through the stone.

"I'm not trying to make something that doesn't fit," said Winka Dubbeldam, the architect for the nine-story building, which would go up on what now is a parking lot at 31-33 Vestry St. "But once you decide to make a contrast, you need to make a contrast."

Dubbeldam presented her design to the Landmark's Committee of Community Board 1 last month and it was set to go before the Landmarks Preservation Commission this month. The board praised her bold plans, but ultimately did not recommend that the LPC approve the design, calling the ground floor-set back five feet from the facade of the upper floors-too dramatic a break from the other building fronts, or "street wall," on the block.

"The one thing Tribeca is, is street wall," noted committee member Eric Anderson. "To break that is, well, rude."

There was also concern over the building's height. At 96 feet, it would be taller than its next-door neighbors.

Anderson called the design a "beautiful, modern interpretation" for the neighborhood, but added that if it is too big, "people will hate it and it will fail. The way the building can be successful is if it comes down in size."

Although the committee wanted to see the design revised before recommending approval by the LPC, it lauded the architect for her unorthodox approach.

"Very fresh," said Bruce Ehrmann, the committee's chairman. "I think it makes sense in the neighborhood. I certainly prefer it over creating 'Disneyfied' copies of old Tribeca."