Rapid real-estate development in the East Village has prompted preservationists to try to save the last remnants of the neighborhood’s immigrant history with a bid to landmark six buildings, including an old biscuit factory and Webster Hall
Scattered across the community are buildings that played key roles in the lives of immigrants dating back to the 19th century, said Robert Tierney, chairman of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.
“These were important buildings,” Tierney said of the structures that were selected in a block-by-block study of the neighborhood, which has evolved from an immigrant ghetto into a trendy area that is also seeing development by an ever-expanding New York University.
“The path from Ellis Island went right through this neighborhood,” Tierney said. “As a example of the nation’s early immigrant history, the East Village is as good as any that’s left.”
Among the buildings proposed for landmark status:
* Webster Hall, 119 E. 11th St., once home to Bohemian balls, labor rallies and a recording studio where Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra performed. It continues today as a dance club and live music venue.
* Eleventh Street Public Bath, 583 E. 11th St., built in 1903 as the city attempted to improve hygiene among the poor and lower classes. It was converted into a photo studio by Eddie Adams.
* Elizabeth Home for Girls, 307 E. 12th St., built in 1891 by the Children’s Aid Society as a shelter for young women. It now has 13 co-op apartments.
* Beth Hamredash, 242 E. Seventh St., built in 1908 as a synagogue for Hungarian immigrants. Converted to residential use.
* The Public National Bank, 106 Avenue C, built in the early 1920s to serve primarily immigrant customers. Converted to apartments in the 1980s.
* Wheatsworth Factory, 444 E. 10th St., built in 1927 as a biscuit factory and the last remaining factory building in the neighborhood. Now a storage facility.
Rosie Mendez, who was raised in the neighborhood and now represents the East Village and the Lower East Side in the City Council, said the pace of development is endangering the community’s history and some buildings need to be protected.
Many of the historic buildings under review are prize targets for developers, Mendez said, adding that the older structures don’t use up all the development rights permitted under the city’s zoning codes.
“There’s so much development going on, it could wipe out the Lower East Side’s history,” Mendez feared, adding that landmark status for the venerable buildings “does preserve our history, and we owe that to future generations.”
Public hearings were held for the proposed landmarking of the six buildings last month, and Tierney said a vote by the commission could come by spring.