Landmarks Preservation Commission Approves Pavilion Plans, While Community Concerns Continue

In a meeting on Tuesday, October 20, the Landmarks Preservation Committee (LPC) approved plans for the Pavilion Theater project to move forward.

The approval comes after a round of updates and adjustments to the project from its previous presentation in August.

The adjustments to the previous plans — which had elements of the project being scaled down — were presented by architect Morris Adjmi and Ward Dennis, a representative for the preservation firm Higgins Quasebarth & Partners.

To those not well-versed in the details, the adjustments may seem relatively subtle. Some of the adjustments from the August presentation include (the numbers correspond to the plans shown above):

1. The fifth floor is set back six feet. The main bulk of the building terminates at the fifth floor, continuing the cornice line of neighboring buildings and completing the circle.

2. The cornice is stronger and more prominent. It matches the protrusion of the neighboring cornice and gives a the building a more robust termination.

3. The ground floor openings are lifted from the ground and reconceived to match the residential character of the circle. The base of the building is thus more solid and its retail function less conspicuous.

4. The brick color has changed to take on a warmer hue.

5. The sixth floor is reduced to 10’ from 12’ in height and is set back 4’ to make its mass less conspicuous above the theater. The addition of a chamfered edge makes the structure appear much lower.

The public was not allowed to speak during this meeting. The Brooklyn Eagle explains that “because of the LPC’s procedural rules, public testimony was allowed at the hearing in August but was not allowed at Tuesday’s meeting. The commission accepted written comments, though.”

DNAinfo reports that in an email to the LPC, 14th Street resident Michael Padwee wrote, “the architects have made a good start with their second iteration. … However, there are still some problems with the overall plan.”

Councilmember Brad Lander continued to show support for the project, who also supported the project during the LPC presentation in August.

Questions remain to be answered for the project — including who will be take over the movie theater. According to DNAinfo, Matthew Viragh, the owner of Williamsburg’s Nitehawk Cinema, has expressed interest.

In order to view further details of the updates to the Pavilion theater project, you can visit the LPC’s website.