By Ellie Choi
While his character, Ross, was welcomed into Monica’s apartment with open arms, David Schwimmer hasn’t been so well received by his East Village neighbors. The actor purchased and subsequently demolished the 1852-built townhouse that was a few months shy of receiving landmark status.
After buying the $4.1 million building in 2010, Schwimmer received notices from the city Landmarks Preservation Commission informing him of the impending 2012 landmark status for his home.
However by September 2011, the entire building was razed to make way for a six-story mansion replete with an elevator and roof terrace—sending the neighboring residents into frenzies.
One commenter on “EV Grieve,” an East Village-based blog, complained of the inconvenience the construction has imposed on the neighborhood. “Recently I came out of my building at 8:30 am and the entire street was fogged with dust from these jerks…”
Schwimmer purchased the home through 331 East 6th Street Townhouse LLC., a limited-liability company. Sources have confirmed him as the owner of the building, despite his name not being attached to the deal.
Another “EV Grieve” commenter expressed their disbelief at the building’s demolition. “This really shocked me when I saw it. I’ve always thought it was the nicest looking building on the block and I fantasized about living there. What a shameful loss.”
