Silver Towers May Get Landmark Status

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission will today take the first steps towards landmarking I.M. Pei's Silver Towers complex, two 30-story concrete 1960s-style towers that are part of the post-war superblock that runs between La Guardia and Mercer Street, and between Bleecker and Houston Streets in Greenwich Village.

The buildings' owner, New York University, is now signaling its support for the landmarking, which could end a years long dispute. NYU president John Sexton said yesterday landmarking now fits into the university's long term growth plans.

"We believe this step is an important one that demonstrates our respect for the 'ecosystem' in which our University exists. Both we and our partners took a major step in developing a relationship of trust last week; we think the action we are announcing today makes real our intention to continue building that trust," Mr. Sexton said in a statement.

Since 2003 the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has been fighting for landmark status and enlisted a number of resident groups and local elected officials, including the local City Council member, Alan Gerson, to rally for landmarking.

They argued that NYU's proposed campus expansion could some day threaten the towers, which sit at the edge of the university's campus.

The endorsement by the NYU is the fruit of an agreement reached between the university and public officials and community leaders to help pave the way for the university's plans to expand by as much as a million square feet.

The complex also has a gymnasium and an Associated supermarket known as the Morton Williams supermarket, both in space owned by NYU, along with a rare public outdoor Picasso sculpture, known as "Portrait of Sylvette," situated in the middle of the plaza.

The Landmarks Commission is expected to calendar a hearing on the complex today.