News from FRIENDS – Fall 2025
The Fall 2025 issue is here, delivering a powerful look at the most urgent preservation battles and victories shaping the Upper East Side. This issue dives into the crisis of affordable housing and development, featuring an Open Letter to Mayoral Candidates. You will also find an in-depth analysis of the Mayor’s Charter Revision proposals going to a November vote, with FRIENDS urging a NO vote on measures #2, 3, and 4 that threaten to weaken
2025 Ambassador of the Upper East Side Award Dinner
On September 30, FRIENDS of the Upper East Side gathered for a special evening to present the 2025 Ambassador of the Upper East Side Award to Christian Keesee and Larry Keigwin. Honored for their remarkable contributions to the arts, culture, and historic preservation in New York City, the event celebrated their enduring impact on the cultural vitality of our neighborhood.
Mayor’s Charter Revision Push Goes to Voters This November
This November, New Yorkers will not only vote for elected officials—they will also decide on a series of ballot measures that could significantly expand mayoral authority and reshape longstanding mechanisms for community oversight in the city’s land use and development process. Behind the bureaucratic language of “streamlining” and “fast-tracking,” the Mayor’s Charter Revision Commission is advancing a dangerous agenda: weakening public input and consolidating control over land use decisions that shape every block, building, and
1000 Park Avenue Receives the FRIENDS 2025 Exterior Restoration Award!
Susan Tunick, artist and President of Friends of Terra Cotta, presented the FRIENDS Exterior Restoration Award to the team behind the restoration of the 1000 Park Avenue façade, completed in 2024. The three-year project involved extensive cleaning and the repair of deteriorated terra cotta elements on this Emery Roth-designed building.
FRIENDS Publication Award Celebrates “Rosario Candela and the New York Apartment 1927–1937”
At the Annual Awards Ceremony on April 17, 2025, Janet Ross presented the Publication Award to the authors of Rosario Candela and the New York Apartment 1927–1937.
Advocacy Alert: Write to state lawmakers about concerning provisions in Faith-Based bill
The misleadingly named “Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act” has once again moved to the forefront in Albany — and it poses a serious threat to historic preservation and the character of neighborhoods across New York City.
New Upper East Side Individual and Interior Landmark!
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) unanimously voted to designate the (Former) Whitney Museum of American Art building at 945 Madison Avenue as both an Individual and Interior Landmark.
George M. Janes receives Ralph C. Menapace Award
Urban planner George M. Janes received the Ralph C. Menapace Award at the FRIENDS 2025 Annual Awards for his contributions to our advocacy work. FRIENDS rarely bestows the Menapace Award, named after Ralph Menapace, a seminal figure in New York City preservation. Click on the video above to listen to his acceptance remarks.
Ronda Wist on Colonial Dames
FRIENDS Board member Ronda Wist presented the FRIENDS Institutional Restoration Award to The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York (NSCDNY) for the restoration of their headquarters. President Marguerite Morrison accepted the Award on behalf of NSCDNY
Opposition Mounts Against Proposed 5G Tower at 1150 Madison Avenue
FRIENDS expressed strong opposition to the installation of a Link 5G tower at 1150 Madison Avenue.