Norah Jones Fights For the Light

First Norah Jones got criticized for a nouveau-Tuscany vibe in the kitchen of her new Cobble Hill home—now the songstress is moving right along with her renovation and allegedly sweet-talked the LPC into letting her have a little bit more light. Beautiful, warm, embracing light. Sounds innocent enough, but the NY Post reports that "neighbors don’t want a window into her soul — or home."

Basically, Jones purchased the Brooklyn brownstone for $4.99 million earlier this year, and now wants to add "10 double-hung windows to the side brick wall." Neighbors charge that the change would make her home inconsistent with the Greek revival architecture, noting that "breaking this precedent is wrong." Good luck with that fight, neighbors — mainstream, chart-topping, Top 40 adult contemporary artists have never tried to fit in.

But wait, Jones allegedly told her opponents in an email: "With respect to the Cobble Hill Association, my windows went through the approvals process with Landmarks and are not out of character with the neighborhood." She added that her goal was to keep Cobble Hill "beautiful and peaceful." And on that note, the locals are picking up their torches and threatening they'll block the construction by filing a lawsuit saying it’s a safety hazard.

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By Jen Carlson in News on November 16, 2009 2:30 PM

Comments [rss]

SonofTheSniper

I guess she should build her windows, but what happens when someone buys the vacant lot next door and decides to build there. DON'T START CRYIN'!!!!

villagegal

The house does not have windows on the wall because it was not originally at the end of the row. End houses often, maybe usually, do have windows on the side. The building that originally stood next to hers is no longer there so the original condition has already been altered. I'm more concerned about historic preservation than the real estate groupies that typically comment, but this is a tricky one for me, because aesthetically, I think her alterations may be an improvement. Those who take issue with Ms. Jones may be comforted because her heating bills are going to be appreciably higher.

inoyourider

Who gives a fuck?

Didn't this Norah bitch have a hit song about 10 years ago?

wiseguynyc

I'm with the neighbors. There's a reason landmark laws were created and a celebrity shouldn't have special privileges. Yes, windows seem innocuous but if they are, in fact, a violation of the historic district policy, then she shouldn't get a pass. (Though Kojak does make a compelling point.)

JenChungsBaby

Who gives a damn what her side wall looks like. Let her have some windows!

billybob

It's probably the Republican baby boomers protecting their property for which they paid 85k per brownstone in 1970.

bigandtall

How does anyone have enough time to fight something like this? She's not installing gaudy neon or a huge fountain or anything like that. It's just windows! Jeeze.

kafkask

More importantly, why does anyone outside of her block give a shit?

Kojak

I hear that they will only approve the windows if they are located within her Bathrooms. And they must not have privacy screens. She must also never bathe behind shower curtains and her naked body must be in perfect view from the side street. She must also rub herself (mostly her breasts) with soap & water in a circular fashion using only her hands while pressed against the windows closest to the sidewalk.

If these demands are met, only then will her windows be appoved.

NannyState

But the thousands of creepy onlookers could drive up the pervert population in Cobble Hill by at least 5%...

hotstepper

hey man! don't hate the player, hate the game.

hotstepper

hot!

felixthecat2

nice

tagmunkee

lol.

Guest

So she purchases a home for nearly $5 million and she's not allowed to do with it what she wants because her neighbors are a bunch of dipshits? I hope she ends up putting 20 of those windows on her home.