UPDATES: Annual Awards & Public Programs

Given the current state of the COVID-19 outbreak, and out of an abundance of caution and respect for you, our members, and our colleagues, FRIENDS has decided to postpone the events scheduled for April, including our 37th Annual Meeting & Awards.

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200 Amsteram

Community Advocacy: Recent Victories and Ongoing Battles

On the heels of of the news regarding 200 Amsterdam, we thought this to be a good time to talk to you about zoning and development.

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2020 Annual Awards: Call for Entries

This spring, FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts will celebrate outstanding achievement in preservation, architecture, and advocacy on the Upper East Side during our 37th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony.

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Rachel testifying

A year-end message from the Executive Director of FRIENDS

From the New York City Council to the U.S. Supreme Court — it's been a year of stunning successes for FRIENDS!

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First Hungarian Church

Support FRIENDS, your preservation “boots on the ground”

At FRIENDS, we relish our role as your watchdog for the Upper East Side. We fight to protect everything you love about the neighborhood — the gorgeous architecture, the tree-lined streets, and the mom-and-pop businesses.

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78th Street

Help FRIENDS Fight Against Upper East Side Mega-Towers

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That's what I said when I saw this image showing the impact of two massive residential towers looming over a block of historic, elegant, five-story row houses like Behemoth Bookends.

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U.S. Supreme Court Denies Stahl an Appeal AGAIN

FRIENDS is thrilled to share the news that the U.S. Supreme Court has denied Stahl an appeal for the second time.

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Advocacy Alert: Stand with FDNY Union for State Zoning Reform

On top of undercutting predictable development and the intent of zoning regulations, the inclusion of empty “mechanical” voids in the core of new buildings poses grave safety concerns for New York City’s firefighters and the citizens they protect every day.

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Two New Upper East Side Landmarks!

Today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) voted to designate the First Hungarian Reformed Church (a.k.a. 344-346 East 69th Street) designed by Emery Roth and built from 1915-1916 and the exteriors of the National Society of Colonial Dames building (a.k.a. 215 East 71st Street) designed by Richard Henry Dana Jr. and

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Mechanical Voids Zoning Text Amendment Summary and Impact

On Wednesday, May 29th, the New York City Council voted to amend the Zoning Resolution to cap exempt mechanical void space within new buildings in residential neighborhoods.

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