ABS Partners Real Estate has filed plans to demolish 2560 Broadway at the corner of 96th Street
A developer is planning to demolish a rental building which has stood on the corner of 96th and Broadway for almost a century. Crain’s was first to report that ABS Partners Real Estate has filed plans to demolish 2560 Broadway (on the northeast corner of West 96th Street), a multifamily property spanning approximately 53,000 square feet and standing seven stories tall.
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The Ancott, whose residential address is 231 West 96th Street, has 27 apartments, some of which are rent-regulated and two of which are currently occupied.
When ILTUWS visited the site on Tuesday, all the commercial spaces (about 7,500 square feet) on the ground floor were empty. Previously, businesses such as Trek Bicycles and Citi Bank had operated there, among others.
It is currently unclear what will become of the parcel if and when the building is torn down. The site is just steps away from the 96th Street subway, providing access to the 1, 2, and 3 lines.
While the building currently has rent-regulated apartments, many units have been rented at market rates in recent years, according to StreetEasy. In October 2020, a 3-bedroom unit rented for about $6,000 per month, while a 2-bedroom unit went for $4,000 in May 2021.
It appears that 2560 Broadway is the only Upper West Side building in ABS Partners’ portfolio, which includes over 100 properties across 11 states. Among their holdings are several Broadway addresses, such as 915 Broadway in the Flatiron District and 407 Broadway on the Lower East Side. ABS also owns 1 University Square Drive in Princeton, NJ, and 280 Cadman Plaza West, a 36-story tower that houses the new 26,620 square-foot Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.
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“Oh boy, I wonder what’s going to go there,” said Vincent Kiely, 76, who lives nearby on West 101st Street. He was unaware of the impending demolition. “I know we need housing, but hopefully it doesn’t make a mess of this intersection—it’s a busy one.”
“I sure hope it’s housing and not luxury development,” said Maxwell Vandervliet, District Manager of Community Board 7. “Our district needs as much housing for everyday New Yorkers as we can get. Increasing the amount of units at a site such as this that’s so close to transportation would be fabulous!”
ILTUWS reached out to ABS Partners for information on their plans and timeline for 2560 Broadway but had not received a response by the time of publication.
7 stories right near a key subway station is not impressive. I hope the developers can do something big.
Huh? The current building is 7 stories, and what makes you think more is better? Many examples around us to the contrary.
Yep, at least 70 floors or bust!
I am not alone is saying, “we are relentlessly destroying our history. These mid sized UWS buildings were built in the days of plentiful wood, plaster, moldings and space- nothing reasonably priced can ever replace these beauties.
I vote to preserve this joint and let ABS Partners / Developers go to Dubuque, Sioux Falls or -shoot!- Mozambique to turn a value-less profit on another tasteless high rise.
I am 100% with you. Why not renovate this beautiful building? You know that if they go ahead and demolish, a ridiculously tall, ugly, glass building will go up in its place. It makes me sad that our NYC history isn’t preserved, but greed is a powerful master.
Agree, agree agree! The scale of our city is being destroyed. We are not Shanghai, Dubai or any other “new” metropolis. Everything about NYC that once made it a great city is being destroyed. No the “City of Yes.” No to more skyscrapers in our traditionally residential neighborhoods!
Your definition of beautiful is suspect
Ah, Cy…
If your background is in the trades, especially as an assistant or apprentice, as we might call a plumber’s helper, really? We don’t blame you for running out on a liberal arts class in Architecture or, say, Art History. Money must be made and often, without good parenting, what?
We must excuse ourselves and allow others to lead us to what one might call, “good taste”. It is so important you understand you must defer to those who have an exposure in the liberal arts to judge beauty for the rest of those of us who have had the ill fortune of having none.
I have learned that the big church on Amsterdam, 96 to 97 streets, owns adjoining properties and may sell them. The apt. building on 96 and Broadway appears to be empty. Has looked that way for many months. How about doing research for your readers?
I’ve seen it happen at many major intersections. One by one, the corner buildings fall to much larger towers. Eventually, we’ll be a city of dark intersections, punctuated by crappy glass boxes. No creativity in the architecture, because of course that costs more.
Another nail in the coffin for middle class families who hardly exist on the UWS today.
The carnage continues!