REMARKS
Kate Lemos-McHale Presents Barkin Levin Office Pavilion Landmark Designation
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3 min
Council Member Kamillah Hanks introduces Kate Lemos-McHale and Steven Thompson from the NYC LPC, who present the landmark designation of the Barkin Levin Office Pavilion in Long Island City, Queens. The presentation highlights the pavilion's unique architecture, designed by Ulrich Fransen, and its historical significance in the fashion industry. The landmark designation received support from various organizations, with no opposition noted. The owners support the preservation efforts, highlighting the pavilion's role in New York City's architectural and industrial history.
Speaker 3
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This next designation is the Barkin Levin and Company office pavilion, a distinguished example of mid 20th century modern architecture architecture designed by Ulrich Fransen.
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Of particular interest is the Pavilion's unusual structural system, 9 concrete pillars that support umbrella like ceiling vaults that project beyond glass walls.
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It was identified in a city wide survey of modern architecture.
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At the Commission's public hearing on November 28th, 4 people spoken supportive designation, including representatives of the owner, DOCOMO US slash New York Tri State, the Historic District Council, and the New York Landmark's conservancy.
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And we also received support from Queen's Modern.
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There was no opposition to designation.
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At the time of designation, this was in Council member 1's district, and we briefed her staff on this designation.
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Next, please.
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The Bark And Lebanon office pavilion is in Long Island City And Queens.
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And it is now in district 22, Tiffany Keban.
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It is the it's at the northwest corner of a large tax lot.
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That includes the former Barkin 11 factory building, a window is structured to the south.
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The landmark site includes just the office pavilion and the lawns surrounding it.
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The property owner supported designation and informed the commission of plans to develop the site to the south using air rights from the Barkin Leaven Pavilion.
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And their plans for the Pavilion site include preserving it and the open space around it.
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Next, please.
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The architect, Ulrich, friends, and designed the pavilion as part of a factory complex for Barkin Levin and Company, a successful New York City manufacturer of women's coats.
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A German emigre who became significant architect known especially for his work in the Brutalist style.
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This was one of Fransen's earliest commissions.
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The new factory was conceived as the, quote, 1st major plant in the garment history industry to incorporate all stages of production and more than 2000 people attended the opening in 1958.
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Next, please.
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The graceful minimalist structure was the factory's architectural highlight, with a square foot print, the glazed walls and floating cantilevered roof expressed a stylish modern sensibility that reflected the company's concern for fashion and the welfare of its employees.
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It was presented as an exemplary design of an office pavilion in a range of publications shown here.
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Next, please.
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In November 1958, the Queen's Chamber of Commerce awarded the Barkin Levin Factory 1st prize in the industrial class, and it was featured in the New York Times.
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It subsequently was leased to the structural display company, and their ad shows that holding up an elephant.
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And the AIA guide to New York City has itly noted its importance.
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Next, please.
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The building's current owner sends it we refurbished the pavilion in 2009, and it retains much of its original design and form and architectural significance.
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This little known architectural gem was designated on December 19th.
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And we hope the council will uphold the designation.
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Thank you.
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And we could go to the next two slides actually.
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Thank you.