Goodbye To Garden Apartments

Does the need for housing in New York spell the end of the gardens in garden apartments

1 minute read

December 30, 2000, 9:00 AM PST

A developer in Queens, NY is removing the gardens in his garden apartments and replacing it with more apartments."When residents of the complex, Bowne Trees, received news of the plan to build four four-story apartment buildings in the courtyard, there was both the expected outrage and the expected reply: surely, they complained to elected officials, this must be illegal. They cited not only the loss of open space, but also the potential for blocked access for firefighters and emergency crews. But it turns out that the owner of the complex, Suzuki Associates, which bought Bowne Trees in 1998, was well within its rights under zoning laws, according to city officials. Now, politicians and local civic leaders are concerned that the project could spur development on hundreds of city courtyards."

Thanks to Congress on New Urbanism

Read the full story: Owner Takes the Garden Out of Garden Apartments to Add Housing

Thursday, December 28, 2000 in The New York Times

Land Use New York

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

Start Learning

Advertise with us

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.