Federal-Style 140 Bowery Loses Trademark Dormers

Carve another notch in the wall for historically significant structural victims along the beloved Bowery. Since the beginning of 2010, three separate buildings, each dating back more than a century, were handed death sentences. The first victim was the elegant townhouse at 185 Bowery, which lost its upper floors in anticipation of a new CitizenM monstrosity yet to arrive (landmarking would throw off demolition efforts); one year later 35 Cooper Square was torn down amidst a cacophony of community outcry. Meanwhile, 135 Bowery remains on death row after City Council all but ruined its bid for landmarking back in September.

We revisit the issue because another endangered Federal-style house was just attacked across the street – 140 Bowery. Alas, a quiet deconstruction has already befallen the two-story brick building, currently home to Lighting Library and Classic Lighting. Scaffolding arrived on scene last month with a DOB-permit-backed promise of  replacing “existing roof rafters and interior insulation.” Little did we know that this would spell a fly-by-night beheading for this tough veteran. Both of the trademark dormers were excised from the rooftop not too long ago, leaving a pair of tarps to offer protection from the elements.

This latest bad news comes eight months to the day after 140 Bowery was listed for sale, stoking these exact fears.

The Bowery is losing its soul one building at a time.