Certain buildings, structures, and neighborhoods that have special historic or cultural significance for the community are registered as a local landmark, historic district, or “historic place” by the City or State. Properties with these designations may have special protections that regulate how the building, site or historic district may be changed, or require public input before the property is sold. Many of the individual property pages on NYCHA Real Talk include information about whether a place is landmarked by the State or City. You can also check for City Landmarks designations or the State and National Registers.

When a property has been designated a NYC Landmark, any changes to it, any work will need to comply with these rules and get their work approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Note that only City landmarks are First Houses, Harlem River and Williamsburg Houses. Proposed changes will be reviewed at a public hearing and testimony is invited. Agendas and details are posted on the LPC website here. Make your voice heard whether you agree or disagree with the proposal!

When a NYCHA property is listed or eligible for listing on the State and National Register of Historic Places, NYC's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has the obligation to collect public input about proposed changes to the property (see Secf XVIII on page 15 of this 2018 agreement). It's not clear to the team behind NYCHA Real Talk if HPD has been doing what it is obligated to do; we welcome your input at the email address below.

Sadly, landmark designations cannot alone protect a property from neglect. You'll need to organize to get a Landmarked property activated. Designation does make funding for preservation available, e.g. Randolph Houses renovation.