BY JACKSON CHEN | The West End Collegiate Church received unanimous approval from the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission to create a new residential complex on the corner of West 78th Street and West End Avenue.
The new 66-unit residential building will result from tearing down an existing building at 260 West 78th Street and combining new construction into a second existing building at 378 West End Avenue. The plans, designed by CookFox Architects, include restorative work, but also call for a penthouse addition.
For the church, the residential complex is expected to provide revenue that would allow for maintenance of its landmarked building as well as support for its programming.
“This development will provide us the needed resources to preserve our landmark and sustain the philanthropic work the Collegiate Churches do across the neighborhood, throughout the city, and around the world,” said Reverend Michael Bos, senior pastor of the church.
During the LPC’s hearing on the Collegiate buildings, the plans were lauded by commissioners who said the “sensitively designed” plans reflect a project that “supports preservation.”
“Our priority was imagining a respectful and contextual building that celebrates the traditions of this historic neighborhood and our cherished landmarked church,” said Bos.
The Collegiate School, which plans to soon move to 61st Street and West End Avenue, currently occupies both 378 West End and 260 West 78th. According to the school’s director of finance and operations, Margaret Jadin, they’re hoping to be moved out of the two buildings by September 2017. For the church, the next steps hinge on the school vacating on that schedule.
