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| The Austin Nichols & Co. warehouse (Cass Gilbert, 1913). |
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The Austin, Nichols & Co. Warehouse is one of the earliest reinforced concrete warehouses in the United States designed by a nationally prominent architect. The building was constructed in 1913-15 when Austin, Nichols & Company, one of the leading grocery wholesalers in the country, moved from Lower Manhattan to Williamsburg, in part to take advantage of water transportation to ship its goods. The designer, renowned architect Cass Gilbert, employed Egyptian Revival motifs for the structure, with a coved cornice, battered walls and narrow window openings. The building remained the Austin, Nichols & Company’s headquarters until the 1950s and now contains both residences and office space.
Threat: Although designated a New York City landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in September 2005, the New York City Council overturned that designation in December 2005. Now unprotected, the owner plans to remove all the distinctive architectural elements and build a large and unsympathetic addition.
Current Status: The owner has successfully evicted all of the building’s tenants. Although work on the building has yet to start, it is expected to begin soon.
A Glimmer of Hope?: E-mail the Landmarks Preservation Commission and tell it to designate the building as a landmark. It is legally possible for the Landmarks Preservation Commission to redesignate the building. But with the strident opposition of the local council member, David Yassky, it is likely to meet the same conclusion at the City Council.
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