Mayor-Elect Mamdani:
We are thrilled that you will be sworn in at the spectacular 1904 City Hall Subway Station—New York’s first. You said you admired it as a “physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things.” We agree wholeheartedly. This station is an incredible reminder of how public spaces conveyed a respect for citizens with beautiful design.
The station was declared a New York City landmark in 1979 and listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places on its 100th anniversary in 2004. We were honored that same year when the New York Transit Authority asked us to advise them on how to restore the ornate, leaded glass panels in the skylight and recreate a missing oculus skylight.
This is a fitting way to start since you will be living and working in two of our most treasured landmark buildings—Gracie Mansion and City Hall.
We hope your choice of the City Hall Subway Station indicates that your administration will continue to preserve our iconic buildings and neighborhoods. You will preside over the greatest collection of architecture in the country and landmark buildings known around the world. Our rich layers of architecture are the City’s heart and soul—giving New York it’s identity and sense of place.
Landmark buildings and neighborhoods benefit the City in a number of ways. After more than 60 years of designations, landmarks cover only five percent of the land. Five percent! There is plenty of room for growth. And historic districts aren’t frozen zones. The Landmarks Preservation Commission routinely approves new buildings and additions, aiming for projects that respect the district’s architectural character. We hope the Landmarks Chair you appoint will continue this good work.
Preservation is good for the City’s overall economy. Owners invest more than $800 million annually in our historic buildings, creating jobs for 9,000 New Yorkers and providing paychecks of over $500 million each year. Work on buildings in historic districts remains stable, providing good jobs through tough times.
Creative industries are a vital and growing part of our economy and many favor locating in historic districts. The majority of jobs at small and start-up firms are in historic districts.
Heritage tourism is a major component of the City’s visitor industry. More than 98,000 city jobs are directly related to heritage tourism, with nearly $6 billion in wages and $738 million in local tax revenue. Heritage visitors spend slightly more than regular tourists.
Historic districts are often the densest residential neighborhoods in every borough. They have become more diverse in the last few decades. Many reflect the demographics and composition of the areas around them. They are popular with residents or would not have been designated.
Conversion of landmark office and other buildings to housing is a key component of addressing housing needs. We hope you will see landmarking as a help in meeting your ambitious housing goals.
We look forward to working with you and your administration. Please know we will continue our efforts to preserve the City we all love.
Respectfully,
The New York Landmarks Conservancy