Landmarking Beverley Square West: The Fight Is Not Over

On November 25, 2025, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) acted to designate part of the Beverley Square West neighborhood -- but not all of it -- as an historic district, despite months of advocacy by the community for a more inclusive decision. BSW past president and landmarking advocate Janice Hamann provided this real-time update.

 I've been home for a few hours, and trying to digest the hearing that was held today, 11/25/25, at the Landmarks Preservation Commission headquarters. 

I didn't expect an outcome that was different from the original proposal to landmark part of our neighbohood and exclude the rest, and, of course, that is what ultimately happened.  In a few weeks, the blocks in the original BSW survey will be officially landmarked. That is a big victory, another step in our fight to preserve all of Beverley Square West.

There were 2 commissioners, Goldblum and Jefferson, who advocated to expand the boundaries of the district, both indicating the hope that this can be accomplished in the future. Commissioner Mahan asked if there was a consideration for both sides of the street being intact, to be considered in the designation process, which appeared to be an aspect of the decision making. 

The following is a link to the recorded LPC meeting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1vx-JSHvA.  See from 1:30-3:00

The video shows that LPC visited our neighborhood recently.  The map in the presentation cherry picked and highlighted the most altered homes on the excluded streets.  No one is denying that there are altered homes on our unchosen streets, as well as on the chosen ones. We hope to revisit that idea in the future. 

Check out the growing body of evidence we've compiled to advance our cause.

The fight is not over. 

Janice Hamann

Secretary, BSW