FRIENDS

NEWS


Watch It Again: “Yorkville: Housing Laboratory” with Lucie Levine

Watch a recording of our illustrated webinar "Yorkville: Housing Laboratory" exploring Yorkville’s history as a testing ground for affordable and progressive housing schemes by historian Lucie Levine  Lucie Levine held on February 18, 2025.

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FRIENDS Issues Joint Statement Opposing Lenox Hill Hospital Redevelopment Proposal

FRIENDS testified at the July 10 City Planning Commission Public Hearing on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the New York City Department of City Planning's suite of zoning text amendments meant to encourage and incentivize housing creation and address the affordability crisis in the city. Friends was among some 200 New Yorkers--both advocates and concerned individuals--who came together to make their voices heard at the marathon hearing that lasted just under 15 hours.

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Affordable Housing Loss in Yorkville

For the fifth time in recent years, there is a fast-moving proposal at the State level to lift the longstanding cap on residential development in New York City. Lifting the 12 FAR cap would potentially unleash a flood of development rights that are likely to yield more supertall superluxury development, displace existing affordable units, and threaten livability in neighborhoods across the City.

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LPC Calendars Breuer Building for Individual and Interior Landmark Consideration

The Landmarks Preservation Commission today took action to protect the Breuer building (the former Whitney Museum) on Madison Avenue, by voting to calendar it for consideration as both an individual and interior landmark.

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2025 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 2024 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony.

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City Council Advances City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Zoning Amendments

FRIENDS testified at the July 10 City Planning Commission Public Hearing on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the New York City Department of City Planning's suite of zoning text amendments meant to encourage and incentivize housing creation and address the affordability crisis in the city. Friends was among some 200 New Yorkers--both advocates and concerned individuals--who came together to make their voices heard at the marathon hearing that lasted just under 15 hours.

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City Council set to vote on “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity”

FRIENDS testified at the July 10 City Planning Commission Public Hearing on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the New York City Department of City Planning's suite of zoning text amendments meant to encourage and incentivize housing creation and address the affordability crisis in the city. Friends was among some 200 New Yorkers--both advocates and concerned individuals--who came together to make their voices heard at the marathon hearing that lasted just under 15 hours.

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News from FRIENDS – Fall 2024

This past Tuesday, March 27th, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on a new set of rules the agency has proposed to streamline the process of making changes to designated historic buildings.

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Image: Ben Rosser/BFA.com

2024 Ambassador to the Upper East Side Award Dinner

FRIENDS honored Philip K. Howard, a best-selling author and lawyer, at the annual benefit dinner. Howard was recognized for his longstanding civic commitment, which extended beyond his early years as an officer and Chair of the Municipal Art Society to his role as one of America's leading thinkers on governing frameworks.

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CPC approves “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity”

FRIENDS testified at the July 10 City Planning Commission Public Hearing on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the New York City Department of City Planning's suite of zoning text amendments meant to encourage and incentivize housing creation and address the affordability crisis in the city. Friends was among some 200 New Yorkers--both advocates and concerned individuals--who came together to make their voices heard at the marathon hearing that lasted just under 15 hours.

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FRIENDS of the Upper East Side 2020