Plans for the renovation of the Greystone Apartment building at 24 Johnson Park have literally fallen through. Ellicott Development has decided that the ornate six-story structure cannot be economically renovated. Carl Paladino purchased the property in March 2002 with plans to convert the complex into a market rate, upscale apartment building. Work came to a halt after a worker fell through an upper floor while gutting the building.
Opened in 1897, the former Berkeley Hotel was designed by Carlton Strong. The vacant columned building is an early example of reinforced concrete construction. Unfortunately, this grand dame of a building looks doomed under present ownership even as its neighborhood is seeing millions of dollars of new investment. The West Village and Johnson Park areas continue to solidify, Chippewa Street is within walking distance, Uniland is poised to begin construction of a new office building in the 200 block of Delaware, the former Buddyis is being rebuilt as a supper club, and Ani DiFrancois transformation of the Asbury Delaware United Methodist Church is wrapping up. Lets keep our fingers crossed that Paladino can make the numbers work or another developer steps forward with a redevelopment plan for this diamond in the rough.
photos courtesy of Steel and NYC007