The New York City Landmark Preservation Commission is reviewing a proposal for a new mural on the north wall of 530 Broadway, an 11-story office building in Soho, Manhattan. The property, managed by SHVO, is composed of three buildings that were adjoined in 2021: 530 Broadway, 532-534 Broadway, and 536-538 Broadway. The combined structure stands at the northeast corner of Broadway and Spring Street.
Proposed area for artwork master plan, via LPC proposal
The artwork master plan outlines several high-level terms and criteria for the LPC to review. Notably, the criteria outline that the artwork, if approved, must be 2D and executed with paint, only be located on secondary façade that is plain brick, and not cover any of the building’s windows. If approved, the terms would be valid for six years, with the artwork on the side of the building changing every 12 months.
Historical mural at West Broadway and Houston, circa 1969, via LPC proposal
The proposal provides several historical images of the block of buildings, as well as historical photos of other buildings in Soho with murals, underscoring that the project would be appropriate in the context of the neighborhood’s history of public artwork on building façades.
536-538 Broadway, the original structure that would be covered by the mural, was designed by De Lemos & Cordes and completed in 1902. It was the third of the three buildings to debut, following 532-534 Broadway in 1896 and 530 Broadway in 1898. The property is located steps from the Prince Street and Spring Street subway stations, which service the N, R, and W trains, and the 6 train, respectively.
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I think you have to go to Philly to see interesting building murals.
Looks terrible. I hate building murals. Really degrades the building.
Hilarious opinion
By “artwork” do they mean ads? Hard to imagine an actual art mural only sticking around 12 months / 6 years.
Unfortunately graffiti tagging usually follows after a mural is completed! 😔
Kind of like a dog peeing on a rosebush!
Don’t mind the mural idea, but that one looks awful.
I don’t understand why murals have to be bold colored and bright and desperately calling attention to themselves. That’s not how we deal with walls in our homes. I would prefer murals that acted more like wallpaper, complementing the scene all around them.