Jan. 17, 2018 By Christian Murray
The seventh and final store located inside a corner building on 37th Avenue and 85th Street closed over the weekend freeing up space for development.
Jasper Beauty Salon was forced to close Saturday to make way for development at 84-11 though 84-23 37th Avenue. The landlord, Charles Patel, plans to add four stories of residential apartments on top of the existing one-story structure.
The salon joins stores such as Kelly’s Cleaners, the Jackson Heights Furniture Shop and Value Fabrics that have met a similar fate in recent months. Their leases had all come to an end.
The salon owner said that he is looking for a new location in Jackson Heights.
“We are looking for somewhere else in Jackson Heights,” said Sergio, the owner of the salon who wouldn’t provide his last name. “This is a great neighborhood. We have been here 10 years and have a good client base and they will follow us.”
Patel has yet to file his plans with the Buildings Department but he passed his biggest hurdle in May when the Landmarks Preservation Commission gave him the go ahead (click for decision).
Jasper Beauty Salon on Thursday (Queenspost)
The plan was contentious since the building is located in the Jackson Heights Historic District and many—including Community Board 3, Councilmember Danny Dromm—urged Landmarks to block the application.
Councilman Daniel Dromm, who spoke out against the proposal at a 2015 hearing, said. “We believe that allowing any additional height on this building violates the original intent of Jackson Heights [historic district].”
The LPC differed with the community’s view, with the commission approving it unanimously by a vote of 9-0, subject to some minor modifications.
“The buildings on the north side of 37th Avenue are predominantly 4-6 stories in height, and therefore, the height and massing of the proposed addition will relate to the scale on this side of the avenue,” read the LPC’s decision.
The LPC noted that “the material used for the addition will be harmonious with the materials of other residential buildings with a commercial base.”
Patel still has to send in his architectural drawings to the LPC to ensure that the corner of the building has the details that conform with the historic district, among other requirements. However, with the commission already approving the project this is just a case of just fine-tuning the plan, according to a LPC spokesperson.
Patel, who is currently out of the country, could not be reached for comment.
Rendering
84-11-37th-Avenue by Queens Post on Scribd
