Life’s looking quite luxurious for Gustavo Gordillo, a recent arrival from Brooklyn.
The community board in Bedford-Stuyvesant opposed the plans for a significant renovation of the $1.5 million house that Gordillo’s parents bought for him, who leads the NYC Democratic Socialists of America. Still, the project was ultimately approved.
The community board expressed that the renovations didn’t align well with the historically black neighborhood, which has seen an influx of new residents who are changing its character.
During a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing, one commissioner remarked that the house might resemble a “Hampton’s beach house” rather than fitting in with the aesthetic typical of Bedford-Stuyvesant row houses.
Others on the commission also criticized Gordillo’s ambitious renovation proposal. He’s a 38-year-old Yale graduate from South Florida who previously worked as an electrician before securing a position with the NYC chapter of the DSA.
Evelyn Collier, who chairs Board 3’s landmarks committee, stated during the April 2023 LPC hearing that the proposed changes would alter the character of the district and noted that the dimensions of the windows and doors wouldn’t correspond to the neighboring homes.
Commissioner Everado Johnson pointed out that the front facade appeared overly slender, suggesting it wouldn’t blend with the rest of the street. He mentioned the design reminded him of a beach house from the 1960s or 1970s.
While the rooftop changes were positively received, there were lingering doubts about whether the overall “modern interpretation” suited the historic charm of the row house.
No vote was conducted during the hearing, with commissioners asking for revised plans before moving forward with a final decision.
By August 2023, however, the LPC granted Gordillo the permit for his extensive renovation of the $1.4 million row house.
The permit approval did come with stipulations, including the requirement to reduce the size of the windows and modify the cornice. Additionally, the architects were instructed to consider irrigation and drainage solutions for proposed planters and reassess the columns and fascia board under the roof.
It’s important to note that any drawings, including revisions to be submitted to the Department of Buildings, must receive approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Recently, the city’s Buildings Department issued a stop-work order for Gordillo’s renovations, citing the lack of proper interior and facade permits.
