- One of the most iconic views in New York may soon be replaced by high-rise apartment blocks.
- The view of the Manhattan Bridge and Empire State Building taken from Dumbo in Brooklyn has become particularly popular on Instagram.
- There are three new buildings proposed, two of which would block the view.
A New York City view famous on Instagram may soon be replaced with apartment buildings, to the dismay of tourists and residents alike.
The scene, a quintessential view of the Empire State Building standing tall in the distance behind the Manhattan Bridge, is located in DUMBO, Brooklyn — and it draws countless bloggers and influencers for the view alone.
However, skyscrapers may replace the idyllic backdrop, according to a testimony to the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Consideration written by the Municipal Art Society (MAS) that raises issues surrounding the Two Bridges Large-Scale Residential Development (LSRD) Proposal for the Manhattan side of the East River.
The proposed high-rises would be built in Manhattan’s Two Bridges neighbourhood, and two of the three would block the view from across the river.
The proposal states that two of the towers would share a four-story base, with one rising 62 stories and the other 69 stories.
The third building would be the tallest, at 79 stories, according to the proposal, which would mean the iconic view of the Empire State Building would be obstructed.
“A person standing on the street...where previously you would see the Empire State Building, you will now see part of this development,” MAS vice president of policy and programs Tara Kelly told the New York Post.
In its testimony, the group, which “has supported sound planning and effective community engagement in New York City for 125 years,” also claims that the Two Bridges neighbourhood faces “dire consequences” from the “proposed redevelopment,” in addition to ruining the view from Washington Street in Brooklyn.
According to the MAS, the proposed buildings do not “comply with the New York City Zoning Resolution regulations” and will result in “unmitigated adverse impacts on socio economic conditions, community facilities, open space, shadows, transportation, parking, and construction.”
The MAS also predicts the proposed buildings will have “serious, long-term, adverse consequences on the Two Bridges Community,” which faced serious damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
“We really think that this is something that requires much more community input, much further study,” Kelly said.
As of now, a date has not been set for the Planning Commission to vote on the LSRD Proposal.
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