City Planning Approves New St. Vincent’s Hospital Development

By Kevin Korber of Village Confidential

The new luxury development at the former St. Vincent’s Hospital is inching closer and closer to a reality. DNAInfo reports that City Planning has approved Rudin Management’s plans to convert the old hospital into luxury apartments and commercial space.

The decision to approve the rezoning of St. Vincent’s Hospital was unanimous, and the City Planning Commission did not ask for any changes in Rudin’s original plans. City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden said in the decision that the current plan “successfully integrates new and historic buildings into a site plan that respects the existing built context of the neighborhood.”

The decision outrage Village residents, many of whom have expressed vehement opposition to the new development. Andrew Berman, president of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, told the press that it was “disappointing that they gave privileges intended for a hospital to luxury condos. It’s just wrong.”

The proposal has already received approval from Borough President Scott Stringer’s office despite being rejected by Community Board 2. A City Council vote is required before any construction can proceed on the buildings.

The vote did not affect plans to convert the O’Toole building into an emergency care center. Proposals to convert the St. Vincent’s triangle into an AIDS memorial were also undiscussed.