A proposal has been submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for the modification and expansion of 69 Gansevoort Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. The proposal, assembled by David Bucovy Architect, is being presented for public hearing today. If approved, the project will introduce façade alterations and a rear and rooftop expansion of the existing two-story commercial building. The property is located between Greenwich and Washington Streets.
Rendering of 69 Gansevoort Street, via LPC proposal.
Plans show a reconfigured storefront with enlarged glazing and revised entry placement while retaining the historic “R&L Restaurant 69” signage band. Above, the design introduces a new second-floor façade with large industrial-style windows set within a brick frame, along with a terrace setback behind a metal railing.
Rendering of 69 Gansevoort Street, via LPC proposal.
At the rear and rooftop levels, the project introduces additional floor area and a rooftop bulkhead structure. Drawings and axonometric diagrams in the presentation illustrate a stepped configuration that adds enclosed interior space beneath a green roof terrace while maintaining a setback from the street frontage to reduce visibility from Gansevoort Street. The addition would sit above the existing building envelope and incorporate brick cladding with large glazed openings facing the rear.
Transit nearby 69 Gansevoort Street includes the 14th Street–Eighth Avenue station, served by the A, C, E, and L trains, as well as the 14th Street–Seventh Avenue station, served by the 1, 2, and 3 trains.
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Keeping a sign for a long-departed business seems a bit unreasonable. Even the McGraw-Hill Building had its sign changed at the top.
Totally reasonable to keep this beautiful storefront!.. a treasure, like a Norman Rockwell painting.
I totally agree-To much of the old classic styles are depleting. Clean it up a bit and let it survive. Like the old corner Luncheonette Dave’s, on the corner of Broadway and Canal St. What a beautiful Classic Neon Sign.
David, the McGraw-Hill Building did NOT have its sign changed. In 2021, the recently converted building’s owners wanted to change it to its street address in an identical Deco type style, but lots of opposition led to no bueno from the city.
A NYT article from 2021 explains the whole saga.
I stand corrected.
What is likely the oldest electric sign in the world can be found in the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ. It dates from 1894 and proclaims in light bulbs, “Holiness to the Lord.”
It’s fine, approve it. Though I wish they did something more edgy like the DVF store.
Florent the succesor to R&L was a reason to go to the area when no one wanted to go there. It was one of the first places to help revive the meat packing district into a trendy place to go to. As the district changed and rents rose a number of businesses unsuccesfully occupied this space. Keeping this signage legacy is part of NYC history is a reminder of what should be preserved.
The pandemic closed so many of the overpriced stores here, so what is this expansion intended for? There’s no elevator shown.
Fine. Just make sure the great art deco sigh remains.
I would have done a white picket fence instead of the industrial metal railing. I think it fits the retro vibe nicely. Gotta make it tall enough to see over those tropical plants tho or do something else instead