By Bill Parry
The Clock Tower building in Long Island City has finally achieved landmark status. The city Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to designate the former Bank of Manhattan building, as it is officially known, as a New York City landmark.
The beloved 14-story building, located at 29-27 Queens Plaza North, was completed in 1927 and was the tallest building in Queens until the Citigroup building opened in 1990.
“For nearly a century the Queens Clock Tower building has been one of Long Island City’s most recognizable structures, greeting hundreds of thousands of commuters as they enter the borough,” LPC Chairwoman Meenakshi Srinivasan said. “The commission is proud to recognize this iconic building, which represents a significant period of development in Long Island City.”
A group of preservationists waged an online campaign that gathered over 1,600 signatures led by Michael Hall and Matthew Chrislip’s +Partners group. City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), The Hunters Point Civic Association, the Historic Districts Council, the Dutch Kills Civic Association, the Queens Historical Society, Community Board 1 and the SculptureCenter were among the institutions and civic groups that endorsed the campaign.
The future of the building had been in question since its owner, Property Markets Group, filed for permits to build a 77-story mixed-use residential high-rise on the adjacent parcel of land with its partner, the Hakim Group.
In a joint statement, Hall and Chrislip said“+Partners is very pleased that the commission voted to preserve one of the area’s most significant pieces of architecture,.”
