SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension

DESIGNATED May 11, 2010!

UPDATE!
Despite some vigorous opposition, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension on May 11, 2010, extending protection to approximately 135 properties.

See the map of the new district expansion, and read about its history in the designation report. The landmark designation of the Extension of the existing historic district originated with a proposal submitted to the LPC in 2006 by the Metropolitan Chapter’s Preservation Committee and represents a major achievement of the Chapter.

Thank you to everyone who wrote letters, signed post cards, and testified for the district expansion! Our collective hard work and advocacy paid off.

Background
The extended SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District is a wonderful way to honor the life and work of Margot Gayle, who passed away at the age of 100 in 2008. Margot, the world’s leading expert on cast-iron architecture, was the person who first brought to the public’s attention the incredible importance of SoHo’s cast-iron buildings. Without her tireless efforts, the original SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District would have never been designated, and the wonderful buildings within the historic district would not be with us today.

Despite her success in saving SoHo, Margot was never satisfied with the boundaries of the SoHo historic district. As one of the original founders of the Victorian Society in 1966, Margot turned to us to see that her dream of expanding the boundaries of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District comes true.

In 2006, the Metropolitan Chapter of the Victorian Society in America submitted a 47-page report to the Landmarks Preservation Commission asking for an expansion to the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. On June 23, 2009, the LPC “calendared” (the first step in the designation process) an expansion to the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. A public hearing was held on October 27, 2009, and the designation came just a little over six months later.

For more information on Margot Gayle, please visit the page on our Margot Gayle Fund for Preservation of Victorian Heritage.