Often when talking about our projects, we’ll use the term NYC landmark windows. However, what a landmark window is isn’t normally explained. Working on these projects is part of our every day, so we decided to fully explain what a Landmark window is.

What is a landmark window?

A landmark window is a window inside either a designated landmark building or designated historic site.

What is a designated landmark building or historic site?

A landmark building or historic site is a building or neighborhood that has been designated by the Landmarks Preservation Committee to be architecturally, historically, or culturally significant to the City of New York.

What is the Landmarks Preservation Committee?

The Landmarks Preservation Committee (LPC) is a municipal preservation agency responsible for protecting New York City's architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites and regulating them after designation. It was created in 1965 as a result of the signing of the Landmark Law by Mayor Robert F. Wagner after the city suffered losses of historically significant buildings.

The agency is made up of a panel of 11 commissioners appointed by the Mayor of New York. The panelists are supported by a staff of approximately 80 preservationists, researchers, architects, historians, attorneys, archaeologists, and administrative employees.

How does the LPC determine if a building or site is landmark/historic?

Potential landmarks and historic districts are identified through surveys and other Commission-initiated research. This may include properties suggested by members of the public through Requests for Evaluation.

What is the landmark law?

The landmark law is an order to protect historic landmarks and neighborhoods from precipitate decisions to destroy or fundamentally alter their character.

According to the law, the purpose of safeguarding these buildings and places is to:

• Stabilize and improve property values

• Foster civic pride

• Protect and enhance the City's attractions to tourists

• Strengthen the economy of the City

• Promote the use of historic districts, landmarks, interior landmarks, and scenic landmarks for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the City.

What does this mean for construction/repairs on designated buildings?

If a designated building or site is undergoing alterations, demolition, and or new construction, the LPC must review any proposed changes and determine whether the “special qualities” of the designated buildings are not compromised or destroyed.

How many designated buildings and sites are there?

There are more than 37,600 landmark properties in New York City. In addition there are 152 historic districts and historic district extensions throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Within this number of protected sites are 1,445 individual landmarks, 121 interior landmarks and 11 scenic landmarks.