Resources for Property Owners and Businesses…and Anyone Interested in Landmarks!

Some of the answers at our fingertips include (click on the questions for more information):

• Is my building an individual landmark or located in a historic district?
• Who designed my building? When was it built?
• What is Landmark West!’s role in the process of reviewing and regulating changes to Landmark buildings?
• Think you or someone you know has done a great job on a preservation project?
• How do I report possible illegal work on a landmark?
• I want to do work on a building that is a landmark or in a historic district. What kind of permits do I need?
• What is a landmarks violation?
• How can I do research on New York City buildings?

The following links are designed to answer commonly asked questions about the landmarks process. These websites are useful tools for those seeking to learn more about the New York City landmarks process, guidelines for work on historic properties, plus funding opportunities.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission “is the New York City agency that is responsible for identifying and designating the City's landmarks and the buildings in the City's historic districts. The Commission also regulates changes to designated buildings.” For more information about the LPC, its mission, members, recent activities, and upcoming hearings please visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/about/about.shtml.

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the New York City landmarks process (such as, “What is a Landmark?”), please visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/faqs/faqs.shtml.

To learn more about what landmark designation means for you as a property owner, business, or anyone else dealing with buildings that are individually landmarked or located in historic districts, please visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/working_with/working_with.shtml . On this page, you will find information on:

• Applying for permits to perform work on landmark properties
• Rules and guidelines for work on landmark properties
• The kinds of projects that require a public hearing

The Landmarks Preservation Commission maintains a glossary of commonly used architectural terms. Go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/glossary/glossary.shtml.

The New York City Department of City Planning maintains a glossary of commonly used planning terms that relate to historic preservation issues. Go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/glossary.shtml

Find out what community board you are in by clicking here.

For data on zoning, land use, and property in the Upper West Side and beyond click here for NYC Oasis Community Map.

Need an architect or consultant to help you with a preservation project? The New York Landmarks Conservancy posts an online Directory of preservation professionals at http://www.nylandmarks.org/Directory.php. Several Technical Guides are also available – click here for more information. Some projects may qualify for financial assistance. Visit The New York Landmarks Conservancy's Financial & Technical Assistance webpage, the Preservation League of New York State's Grant Program, and the New York State Historic Preservation Office's Sources of Preservation Assitance.

Although Landmark West! is primarily dedicated to New York’s Upper West Side, we are always engaged in preservation activities across the entire city, state, country, and even world. Through collaboration with colleagues who share our mission to preserve the historic places that matter most we become even more effective at preserving those in our own backyard. Below are links to preservation projects, issues, and activities that are shaping preservation today.