It's amazing how New York’s historic buildings keep their exteriors intact, yet get complete interior renovations well beyond the possibilities of the original use. Aaron Burr’s carriage house is now wildly popular restaurant One if By Land, Two if By Sea. The Woolworth Building has been converted to some of the city’s most in-demand condos. And now Tammany Hall, once synonymous with the Democratic Party in New York City, has been rechristened 44 Union Square, will gain a glistening glass dome, and is undergoing a gut renovation as retail and office space.
Marketer Newmark Knight Frank envisions multiple retail scenarios for the first three floors; these include full building branding or several smaller ground floor divisions. Upstairs, three levels of office space are targeted at finance or TAMI companies, the latter of which have flocked to the Union Square area in recent years. They will enjoy open floor plates, abundant light from the dome, and soaring Union Square views. Delivery is expected for the second quarter of 2018.
Office rendering via Newmark Knight Frank
Office renderings via Newmark Knight Frank
Renovations began in January 2016 following a $57.5 million construction loan, a zoning variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, and an approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. BKSK Architects’ design keeps the exteriors largely preserved while the interiors, which were most recently used as a theater, get renovated. The new dome is inspired by the turtle upon which Lenape Chief Tamanend (Tammany Hall’s namesake) stands in a famous likeness.
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The red brick and limestone neo-Georgian building opened in 1929 with offices for the Tammany Society political organization. It was sold to the International Ladies Garment Workers Union in 1943; in years that followed, tenants have included the Roundabout Theater Company and New York Film Academy. Theater developer Reading International bought the building for $7.7 million in February 2001, and it was landmarked in 2013.
44 Union Square shrouded in construction netting as of late January 2018 (CityRealty)
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Michelle Merritt
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