Castellano Seeking Approval for Changes to Landmark Jarmulowsky Hotel

The lodge in the works for the Jarmulowsky Bank Building is probably the most highly-anticipated Lower East Side real estate development in recent years. There it sat, dormant for the better part of a decade, while rumors of its revitalization swirled. Then earlier this year, prior owner Baruch Singer (yup, him) sold the Beaux Arts masterpiece to DLJ Real Estate Partners for a cool $36 million. It is this crew that enlisted local design house Studio Castellano (Forward building conversion) for the new hotel project at 54 Canal Street.

Since Mr. Jarmulowsky is in fact a landmark (since 2009), permissions are required for any construction work on premises. The CB3 Landmarks subcommittee meeting will convene this evening to discuss their proposals. In one fell swoop, Castellano and company hope to receive blessings for the following structural changes:

1. Raise the parapet, install new mechanical equipment, convert existing mechanical room to occupiable space on roof. The new event space is capped with corrugated metal shed;
2. Install new storefront infill, new masonry balustrade in existing bay ground floor;
3. Install new balconies at rear.

Materials submitted ahead of the gathering illustrate the (gritty) before and (streamlined) after for this iconic neighborhood skyscraper. Say goodbye to the water towers.

Meanwhile, contrary to earlier reports, Ace hotel chain still denies any involvement in the project.