Thru the Lens: Dolkart discusses 50-year anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Law.

On July 28 at The Skyscraper Museum, Andrew Dolkart, the director of the Historic Preservation Program and professor of Historic Preservation at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, offered his thoughts on the 50-year anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Law. His talk that elaborated on his essay in Saving Place: 50 Years of New York City Landmarks, a book which accompanies the current exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York. Professor Dolkart focused on the special role of Grand Central Terminal in the legal evolution of the Landmark Law and the LPC's decision to deny architect Marcel Breuer's controversial fifty-five-story tower - a concrete slab faced in granite, to be built atop Grand Central's waiting room. A second rendition would have entirely demolished the façade. The commission unanimously rejected all three Breuer's designs, which resulted in a lawsuit that finally reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the city. Prof. Dolkart's presentation was taped by C-SPAN. The lecture can be viewed on The Skyscraper Museum's website: http://goo.gl/hDcQYi