This urban area had transitioned from a key manufacturing center to a lively mix of office, retail, institutional and residential uses. We looked at three contextual commercial zoning districts, studying bulk compliance, land use, employment and real estate trends, to determine which rezoning would produce development most compatible with the existing, historic fabric of the area. WXY then recommended a rezoning that would facilitate appropriate residential development in this Manhattan neighborhood.

WXY proposed the much-needed rezoning of a mid-block manufacturing area in the Flatiron District as a commercial district, based on a two-part study. The zoning change proposed in WXY’s August 2002 and July 2003 reports was certified by the Department of City Planning on August 12, 2004 and has resulted in a number of new buildings. The benefit of this planned regeneration is already being felt.