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Rivington House

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Coordinates:40°43′15″N73°59′28″W/ 40.7207°N 73.9911°W/40.7207; -73.9911
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Rivington House
The Rivington House in December 2018
Map
General information
TypeFormer AIDS/HIV nursing home
LocationLower East Side, Manhattan
Address45 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
Town or cityNew York City
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°43′15″N73°59′28″W/ 40.7207°N 73.9911°W/40.7207; -73.9911
Renovated2016
OwnerChina Vanke Co., Adam America Real Estate, and Slate Property Group

Rivington House(45 Rivington Street) is a building located at Rivington Street and Forsyth Street in theLower East SideofManhattaninNew York City.It was originally constructed as an elementary school known asPublic School 20in 1898, and then operated as avocational schoolbeginning in 1942. In the 1990s, the building was purchased by Village Nursing Home (later VillageCare) and was converted into a specialtynursing homefor patients with HIV/AIDS.

The building gained media attention in 2015 when it was planned to lift the deed restriction on the building, allowing it to be transformed into a residential or commercial property. When the building was ultimately sold for $116 million, MayorBill de Blasiodrew criticism for straying from his policy to increase affordable housing in the city. The building was eventually reclassified and sold to China Vanke Co., Adam America Real Estate, and Slate Property Group for residential development.[1]

Design

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The entrance to the building on Rivington Street.

The Rivington House is located on the south side of Rivington Street between Forsyth Street and Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side. Across Forsyth Street to the west isSara Delano Roosevelt Park.The building was constructed from 1897 to 1898, designed by architectC. B. J. SnyderinRenaissance RevivalorRomanesque Revivalstyle. Snyder, at the time the city's Superintendent of School Buildings, designed numerous other schools throughout the city.[2][3][4][5][6]The building is five stories tall, with a basement and a small sixth floor in the center of the building.[3][5]Its exterior features several decorative elements, including large stone-framed windows, several of which are arched, stonebelt coursesin between stories, and terracotta moldings. It also features several decorative plaques, including two at the front entrance on Rivington Street representing the New York City government. The interior, meanwhile, contains cast-iron columns with decorative elements.[3][6]

The building was originally U-shaped, which was a common quirk of Snyder-designed schools and other city schools tolet in more natural light.The open-space was filled in during the 1990s renovations to the building.[3][4]It also originally featured a yellow-brick facade,[7]but was later altered with pink-red bricks.[2][3][5][6]

The building was renovated from 1993 to 1994 into a nursing home for HIV/AIDS patients by thePerkins & WillandDavis Brodyfirms.[2][3][8]The first floor features a lobby with reception and gift shop areas, a chapel, a meeting room, administrative space, and anintensive care unitwith 17 beds.[3]The remaining four floors each contain around 50 beds along with two nurses stations and dining areas. The fifth or penthouse floor contains additional recreation facilities.[3]A ward for tuberculosis patients was also constructed.[5][8]The basement contains utilities, kitchen facilities, and labs including a radiology suite.[3]A loading dock was constructed as a southern extension of the original building on Forsyth Street.[3]

Nearby sites

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History

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As a school building

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Public School 20 was completed in 1898,[2][5][6]opening on September 12, 1898.[9]Upon opening, the school was also used as an evening recreation center for children.[7]Alumni of the elementary school includeIrving Caesar,GeorgeandIra Gershwin,Harry Golden,Jacob Javitz,Paul Muni,andEdward G. Robinson.[2][10][11] [12]In 1934, construction began onSara Delano Roosevelt Parkacross the street, which would provide boys and girls playgrounds for Public School 20 and the nearby Public School 91.[13]

Public School 20 was closed in June 1942 due to low enrollment, with the nearby P.S. 91 expanding to replace it.[2][14]Afterwards, the building became theManhattan Trades Centerand hosted special vocational programs for theNew York City Board of Education.[2][11][12]This began with a high school program to trainradio operatorswhich opened on October 7, 1942.[15]The programs at the school contributed to the United States efforts duringWorld War II,with graduates going on to become technicians and radio operators in the Armed Forces and theMerchant Marine.The school also featured programs to train disabled and vision impaired individuals.[16]Following the end of the war, the Board of Education created accelerated vocational and academic programs at the school for returning veterans.[17][18]

In 1963, a new Public School 20 was opened at Stanton Street and Essex Street.[10][19][20]By 1963, the building at Rivington Street was used as theNew York City Adult Training Center.At this time, the school operated programs training unemployed people to work in occupations such as house painting, as well a programs to trainorderliesandlicensed practical nurses,through an initiative from the federalManpower Development and Training Act.[21][22][23]

As a nursing home

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On April 18, 1989, then-New York City MayorEd Kochannounced that the school would be redeveloped by the Village Nursing Home group into a facility called the Rivington House for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS. The nursing home would contain 230 beds, 80 of which would be reserved for patients from city hospitals.[24]This was in response to theoutbreak of the diseasearound this time, with the Lower East Side being one of the most affected neighborhoods in the city.[25][26][27]Later plans called for 45 beds reserved for tuberculosis patients.[5][8]At this time, the school building had gone unused for several years.[24]

The building was sold by the city to Village Nursing Home and was reconstructed from 1993 to 1994, with funding from public bonds.[2][5][24]The renovations were designed by thePerkins & WillandDavis Brodyfirms. The Davis Brody firm had several employees who had contracted AIDS.[2][3][8]The nursing home opened in 1995 with 219 beds.[2][25][28]Initially, the typical length of stay for patients was only 12 to 15 days with a 50 percent mortality rate. As treatment options for AIDS improved, by 1997 the length of patient stay increased and many were able to leave the facility and return home.[25][29]In addition to in-patient care, the Rivington House also offered outpatient services and job placement assistance for patients.[26]

Closure and sale

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Rivington House operated as a HIV/AIDS nursing home until 2015.[30]The lack of patients and the change in community care for people with HIV led VillageCare to announce in 2014 that they would be closing the facility inManhattan.[31][26]As local press reported at the time,“the need for a single-purpose skilled nursing facility like Rivington House that segregates AIDS patients is long past."[32]

By 2015, Rivington House was non-performing and nearly vacant, and a nursing home operator in the region called The Allure Group purchased the building. Within the first year under new ownership, the building featured in theNew York Citypress after an application was made to change the property'sdeed restrictions.Its restrictive deed prevented the property from being developed like many of the buildings in the same district, stating that the building had to be used fornon-profitresidential health care.[33]

Following the required payment to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, as determined by the city, the building's deed restriction was lifted, and The Allure Group sold the building for $116 million to a developer.[33]While sales of this value are common inNew York City,the media honed in on MayorBill de Blasiofor moving away from his policy of providing affordable housing.[34]Ricardo Morales, a deputy commissioner at the Citywide Department of Administrative Services was eventually relieved of his duties following the sale of Rivington House.[35]

More information about the deal entered the media in 2016, when MayorBill de Blasiosuggested he didn't know about the land deal, prior to signing off on the lifting of thedeed restriction.[36][37]The statement made byBill de Blasiowas questioned following the release of a report by theNew York City Department of Investigation.The report suggested that while many city officials denied knowing about the details of the deal, they were in fact fully aware of what was taking place.[38]TheNY Postreported thatBill de Blasio's administration offered millions of dollars the month prior, in February 2016, to effectively undo the deal as it would reflect badly on the administration.[39]

The report stated that both The Allure Group and the city wanted to reclassify the building, and both parties knew a $17 million fee was needed specifically to remove thedeed restriction.[40]The report also showed that the city understood any fees would result in the nursing home being flipped by The Allure Group, as the property was no longer viable in its current position.[41]TheNew York TimesandNY Postmade similar remarks to the report, referring to a meeting on March 11, 2015. If a $16.15 million payment was required to lift thedeed restrictionit“could not afford to pay the cost to remove the deed restriction and retain the property as a nursing home,” and “would consider converting the property into a luxury apartment building and forgo the nursing home renovation.”[42]

The city ofNew Yorkopened an investigation into what had gone wrong with their management of the situation. However, the probe found no illegal conduct.[43]The city announced they could not sue The Allure Group, as legally they had not done anything wrong and determined instead that there was a need to revamp its own internal policies and procedures.[44]Despite the controversy caused by the sale and removing the deed restriction from Rivington House, the state legislators decided to reject a bill aimed at preventing similar sales from taking place in the future.[45]

References

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  1. ^Walker, Ameena (February 11, 2017)."Rivington House fate is still being challenged by community".Curbed.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  2. ^abcdefghijMendelsohn, Joyce (2009).The Lower East Side Remembered and Revisited: A History and Guide to a Legendary New York Neighborhood.New York:Columbia University Press.pp. 176–179, 229.ISBN978-0-231-51943-4.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  3. ^abcdefghijk"Long Term Care Facilities: Plans"(PDF).Progressive Architecture.8(93): 32. August 1993.Archived(PDF)from the original on February 28, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  4. ^abSnyder, C. B. J.(January 1898). Butler, Nicholas Murray (ed.)."School-Building in New York City".Educational Review.15(1).Henry Holt and Company:17–25.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 5,2021.
  5. ^abcdefgLambert, Bruce (December 26, 1998)."A Rare Warm Welcome for an AIDS Project".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  6. ^abcdSecond Avenue Subway in the Borough of Manhattan, New York County, New York: Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.Metropolitan Transportation Authority. March 2003. pp. G1-14.OCLC52034794.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedDecember 4,2021.
  7. ^ab"At the Recreation Centers".The Sun (New York City).October 11, 1903.Archived(PDF)from the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  8. ^abcdDunlap, David W. (April 3, 1994)."AIDS and the Practice of Architecture".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  9. ^"Children Awaiting the Opening of the Doors of Public School No, 20, Clinton Street, Near Delancey".New York World-Telegram.September 18, 1898.Archived(PDF)from the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  10. ^ab"ABC Playground:History".New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  11. ^abSmilon, Marvin (February 23, 1960)."Old School Tie-on the Lower East Side".New York Post.Fultonhistory.p. 46.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  12. ^abGolden, Harry(November 25, 1961)."Top Alumni Tribute Tops 20 Teachers".The Evening Press.Fultonhistory.Archived(PDF)from the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  13. ^Dennen, Sarah S. (February 28, 1934)."For Immediate Release".New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.Archivedfrom the original on April 26, 2020.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  14. ^"Hamilton High to be Shut Down".The Sun (New York City).Fultonhistory.March 27, 1942. p. 43.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  15. ^"Open New School For Radio Operators".Brooklyn Eagle.Newspapers.October 7, 1942. p. 5.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2022.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  16. ^"Post-War Aim in Job Program: Radio Center Utilizes Old School Building".The Sun (New York City).Fultonhistory.December 2, 1944. p. 12.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  17. ^"Board Describes Veteran Program".The Sun (New York City).Fultonhistory.December 14, 1945. p. 20.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  18. ^"Veterans Study in City Schools".The Sun (New York City).Fultonhistory.December 24, 1945. p. 4.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  19. ^"Plaque Presented to Silver For His Aid to P.S. 20".The New York Times.March 1, 1964.Archivedfrom the original on April 21, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  20. ^"NYC Department of Education Building Condition Assessment Survey 2018-2019: P.S. 20 - Manhattan"(PDF).New York City Department of Education.May 26, 2016.Archived(PDF)from the original on April 20, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  21. ^"New Educational Procedures Introduced In Public School".Brooklyn Daily Eagle.Fultonhistory.October 2, 1963. p. 2.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  22. ^"Training Act Aides State Unskilled; Courses Subsidized by U.S. Won Jobs for 3,000".The New York Times.January 6, 1964.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  23. ^"664 Jobless Persons to Get Training in Making Shoes".The New York Times.October 14, 1964.Archivedfrom the original on April 21, 2022.RetrievedApril 21,2020.
  24. ^abcLubasch, Arnold H. (April 18, 1989)."Former School To Be Converted To AIDS Home".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  25. ^abcShockley, Jay; Davis, Amanda; Lustbader, Ken; Dolkart, Andrew (2019)."NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project: Historic Context Statement for LGBT History in New York City"(PDF).National Park Service,New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.pp. 70–71. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 20, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  26. ^abcToth, Katie (November 7, 2014)."With Longtime AIDS Care Center Rivington House Closing, Its Patients Are Left Anxious".VillageVoice.Archivedfrom the original on February 14, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  27. ^Goldfarb, Jeffrey (August 22, 1999)."AIDS Center Shows Times Are a-Changing".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  28. ^https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/allure_settlement_doc.pdfArchivedJuly 1, 2021, at theWayback Machine[bare URL PDF]
  29. ^Richardson, Lynda (January 25, 1997)."An AIDS Nursing Home Finds It Is No Longer the Last Stop".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  30. ^Toth, Katie (October 23, 2014)."Owners of AIDS Care Facility Stuck With Building After Booting Patients".VillageVoice.Archivedfrom the original on September 12, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  31. ^Robins, Brittany."End of an era for an AIDS center".NY Press.Archivedfrom the original on January 26, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  32. ^"Rivington House Nursing Facility is Closing in November".The Lo-Down.Archivedfrom the original on June 28, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  33. ^abGoodman, David (March 30, 2016)."How New York Allowed Gentrification for $16 Million".New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  34. ^"Bill de Blasio again blames everyone but his own bungling hires".NY Post.April 26, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on November 23, 2017.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
  35. ^Smith, Greg B. (February 26, 2017)."City fires official who OK'd lifting deed restriction to convert nursing home into luxury condos".NY Daily News.Archivedfrom the original on February 25, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  36. ^Rosenberg, Zoe (July 16, 2016)."City Hall's Inaction Led to Rivington House Sale, Report Finds".Curbed.Archivedfrom the original on July 11, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  37. ^Dawsey, Josh (March 25, 2016)."De Blasio Administration Didn't Know About Land Deal Before Lifting Deed Restrictions".Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on September 20, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  38. ^Ramey, Corinne (July 14, 2016)."Bill de Blasio's Administration Failed to Protect Public Interest on Rivington Deal, Report Finds".Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on February 26, 2017.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
  39. ^Vincent, Isabel (April 24, 2016)."How the city knew about, and tried to undo, $116M nursing-home flip".NY Post.Archivedfrom the original on September 19, 2017.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
  40. ^"Appendices for Examination of the City's Removal of the Deed Restriction at 45 Rivington Street in Manhattan".New York City Department of Investigation.July 2016.
  41. ^Stringer, Scott (July 14, 2016)."De Blasio faults policy, not staff, for Rivington deal".Politico.Archivedfrom the original on January 6, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  42. ^Goodman, David (July 14, 2016)."New York Officials Were Warned About Lifting Nursing Home's Deed Limits, Report Says".NY Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 5, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  43. ^"DOB lifts stop-work order at controversial Rivington House Nursing Home".The Real Deal. June 17, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on June 17, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  44. ^"City admits it doesn't have a legal case against Allure Group over Rivington House".The Real Deal. December 30, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on January 12, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
  45. ^Rosenberg, Zoe (April 26, 2017)."State Senate rejects bill that could prevent another Rivington House scandal".Curbed.Archivedfrom the original on July 11, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 19,2017.
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