NYC Landmark Designation for Amsterdam Houses

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We, the undersigned, support the preservation of Amsterdam Houses, a well-designed, community-oriented public housing project that has been called home by thousands, including many World War II veterans, and was an incubator for civil rights activism in post-war New York. Constructed between 1947-48, this complex marks the end of an era when government viewed the creation of model housing for low-income citizens as a social responsibility. In recognition for its significance, Amsterdam Houses has been declared eligible for the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Located between West 61st and 64th Streets and Amsterdam and West End Avenues, the buildings and tree-covered grounds of Amsterdam Houses are a resource worthy of a secure and celebrated place on the Upper West Side. This 13-building complex was one of the New York City Housing Authoritys first experiments in integration which responded to a 1939 law prohibiting discrimination based on race and religion in public housing. Furthermore, in contrast to later towers-in-the-park developments, Amsterdam Houses was one of the last such projects to define open space along Classically inspired lines and to exhibit brickwork that was carefully detailed to create simple ornament, according to historian and architect Robert A.M. Stern. The Amsterdam Houses design team included some of the most prestigious professionals working in New York City at the time: architects Grosvenor Atterbury, Harvey Wiley Corbett and Arthur C. Holden worked together with landscape architects Gilmore D. Clarke and Michael Rapuano.

More about Amsterdam Houses design and oral history interviews with past and present residents is available at: www.landmarkwest.org/amsterdamhouses.

We ask the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to schedule a public hearing to recognize Amsterdam Houses as a valuable resource on Manhattans Upper West Side and designate this significant complex a city landmark.

129 Signatures

  • Sarah Sher
  • Elyse Newman
  • Richard Liebowitz
  • Sarah McGullam
  • Ashley Norton
  • Kiera McCourt
  • Dana Kresel
  • Nicole DiBiase
  • Brandon Smoller
  • Linda Ullrich
  • Matthew Rienzo
  • Jackie Brown-Richardson
    • Comments
    • Amsterdam Houses is deserving of Landmark Status from every category of qualification.
  • Peter Tsirkas
    • Comments
    • It would be sad if all we had to remember that era when the government felt an obligation to protect the less fortunate was a memory. I sincerely hope we afford the Amsterdam Houses the protection they deserve.
  • Jessica Brown
  • Matthew Sobin
  • Jessica Ironman
    • Comments
    • This is such a worthy cause!
  • Jenny McGullam
  • Roland Betancourt
  • Lauren Reynolds
  • Leonette P. Joseph
  • elizabeth starkey
    • Comments
    • Just as designing and building this complex of apartment houses for returning veterans and working class residents of the UWS was the right thing to do in 1947, designating Amsterdam Houses as a NYC Landmark is the right thing for LPC to do in 2007. Thank you.
  • Sarah Bradford Landau
    • Comments
    • В
  • Michael G. Williams
  • rashid abdur-rahman( nee Rivera)
    • Comments
    • original resident of 248 W.62 St. apt1A
  • Gabriele C. Ursitti
  • Ariel Schwartz
  • Heather McCown
  • Christina Lee
  • Chake Nichanian
  • Christina Salvo
  • Benjamin Waldman
  • Eamon Poller
  • Patrick A Mann
    • Comments
    • please protect our history
  • Robert Roman
    • Comments
    • В
  • Gregory Dietrich
  • Franзoise Bollack
  • Dawn Payne (Stroude)
    • Comments
    • Former tenant of 242 W. 63rd Street
  • Pat McCray
  • Mary Howard
  • Kathy Bunin
  • Michael Ugarte
    • Comments
    • One of the first to move into 247 W 61st. Dr
  • JaneMarie Molina
    • Comments
    • Please keep Amsterdam Houses a Landmark
  • Rey Davila
  • Carol Belmer
  • Sandra Ugarte
  • Beverly Ann Johnson
    • Comments
    • Amsterdam Houses is where I was born and raised. My parents moved there in 1953 and still reside there. Please preserve Amsterdam and allow me to continue to call this property home. I am fortunate to be raised in one of the best neighborhoods in the world.
  • Michael Glynn
    • Comments
    • It is remarkable that Amsterdam Houses was not landmarked many years ago.
  • Angelica Suarez
  • milton ruiz
    • Comments
    • I HAVE ONLY GREAT MEMORIES OF GROWING UP IN "THE PROJECTS"
  • Herminio Hernandez
    • Comments
    • I was raised in this housing development. My experiences in the neighborhood were great, in terms of diversity and culture. The upper westside location provided those who had less, more opportunities to take in New York City's finest neighborhood.