Construction (And Demolition) Proceeds On Lexington Avenue

The demolition at 16 Lexington Avenue, by the corner of Grand Avenue, appears to be nearing completion, we noted during a recent stroll and via a quick peek through the fence.

The lot will eventually house what looks to be a five-story residential building, according to a rendering posted at the site, which notes it should be completed by winter 2015. Permits for a sidewalk shed and the ongoing demolition were filed in July and earlier this month.

Previously, Guardian Better-Pak Corp., a packaging company, was housed on the premises, which abuts the iconic Colonial Laundry smokestack.

The Colonial Laundry, for you local history buffs, operated from 1917 to 1951. In 1934, in the midst of a strike by its workers over wages, the laundry drew the ire of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia for failure to pay its water taxes. The mayor exerted his influence to bring an end to the strike and to have Colonial Laundry pay up.

But the work at 16 Lexington is not the only change afoot on that portion of Lexington. Just across the street at 1 Lexington, builders look to be nearing completion on a three-story residential walkup.

When we walked by the crew was hard at work on the interiors.

By Paul McCaffrey