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Commission approves adaptive-reuse plan for former garage at 122–128 West Third Street in South Village
Summary
The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the adaptive reuse of a through‑block garage at 122–128 West Third Street in the South Village Historic District, including rooftop additions, a courtyard and restoration of ground-floor openings. Commissioners praised revised storefront treatment and lowered rooftop massing; the vote was unanimous.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted March 11 to approve a broad adaptive‑reuse plan for 122–128 West Third Street — a former garage structure in the South Village Historic District — permitting rooftop additions, demolition of rear sections to create a central courtyard, restoration of the primary façades and a new connector between the two halves of the lot.
Project consultants from Higgins Quasebarth & Partners and Morris Adjmi Architects presented revisions that substantially reduced rooftop visibility, redesigned the West Third Street ground floor to restore a mix of historic openings and improved the Minetta Lane elevations. The team said the rooftop bulkheads were lowered by about 3 feet and that mock‑ups show only a few inches of visibility from immediately across the curb on West Third Street.
Commissioners said the revisions responded well to the commission’s earlier comments. Chair and commissioners praised the restored multi‑light casement windows, the reinstatement of historic arched openings, and the simplified, industrial‑style connector at the rear. Several commissioners noted that the project will replace an underused automotive garage building with new housing while retaining the site’s historic character through careful restoration and new brickwork where lot‑line walls will be rebuilt.
Staff recommended approval, noting the proposal will not "detract from the special architectural and historic character of the building or of the historic district" and will support adaptive reuse that meets modern light‑and‑air needs. The commission approved the application by a 7–0 vote.
Why it matters: The project converts a utilitarian garage into housing and restores significant façade elements. The commission’s approval demonstrates how adaptive reuse and contemporary additions can be balanced with restoration work in historic districts.
Vote: Approval — 7 in favor, 0 opposed.
