5 Pointz May Be Eliminated In Owner's New Plans

It could truly be the end for the iconic 5 Pointz graffiti mecca in Long Island City: the graffiti-caked artist space may soon be bulldozed and resurrected as high-rises, restaurants and retail stores.

The building's owner, developer Jerry Wolkoff, told the News that he met recently with city planning officials to discuss replacing it with two high-rise residential towers and up to 1,300 rental units. He also said his plans include a mix of shops and restaurants, a supermarket, an open-air concourse between the towers and a park, as well as a studio space for artists. Because Wolkoff's plans require the taller of the two high-rises to rise above 40 stories, it will require a special permit and likely a zoning change, which means the changes must be approved by the city's zoning and land-use review process. He expects to submit a formal proposal to the city in the next two weeks.

Back in 2009, jewelry designer Nicole Gagne was seriously injured during an external stairway collapse, which led to all the artists being forced to vacate the space. Wolkoff argues that his $300 million project would revitalize the area and provide for thousands of construction jobs: "It is important for Long Island City, and it is important for Queens," he said. But artists are dismayed by the plans: "If it were to happen, it would be no different than tearing down the MOMA or the Guggenheim. It is not just any other building with graffiti on it. It is the epicenter for graffiti artists from all over the world," said Jonathan Cohen, the founder of the 5Pointz collective.

We stopped by to take a look inside of the complex back in August 2009. You can also see tons more great photos here.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in Arts & Entertainment on March 6, 2011 3:40 PM

Comments [rss]

I C

Oh my goodness. What is becoming of LIC? When I first worked in LIC 15 years ago there was hardly any place to eat and it was fine. Why destroy the character of 5 Pointz? I hope no rezoning permission is given.

Guest

LIC has been ruined over the years. Jackson Ave. Coffee Shop had the best Cubanos in the city, there was good pizza and plenty of interesting artwork at PS1 and at 5Pointz. Now LIC is becoming a latte sushi neighborhood and it is losing all of its charm. Glass clad towers do not a neighborhood make.

1429523

Why am I not surprised that the internet tough guys in the Gothamist comment section don't like graffiti. Hey, here's an idea: your conception of art may not be the same as everyone else's.

Unkle_Bob

It may not be my conception of art. Fine. But if the people who do like this art want the building to stick around, they're going to have to pony up for it.

bmdez

Such a shame that this ever changing museum of urban art could be torn down. Someone should start a campaign to raise funds for the artists to take over the property in order to preserve this piece of history.

Art is Not a Crime!
www.bmdez.com

Guest

So right!!! I know a few of the NYC great artists and this place should stay. LIC had so much culture now it has wasabi pizza.

cmdrogogov

so, walk through with a few gigapixel cameras and record it for posterity.

I think part of the appeal of art like this is the very fact that it is somewhat transient.

jibbly

This is exactly it. Street art is transient and almost never meant to be a permanent fixture in it's environment. Whether it's someone else tagging over the work or a fresh coat of paint by the super or in this case the building being torn down, this whole genre is defined by it's temporary nature.

random transplant

It sucks because the 7 is such a cool vantage-point. I didn't even know 5 points existed until my first trip on the 7...I'd seen photo's people took but I had never really made the connection. It was like a sunrise of surprise and stimulation and wonder a couple new condo's are not going to be able to reproduce.

FU Boy

While I like that building, why is anyone surprised at this? It's a prime location near almost all the queens train lines. After the artists were forced to leave, it was only a matter of time.

Richie Alicea

It's amazing how many tight asses there are on this site...

Have an open mind and actually look at some of the street art there instead of predisposing yourselves to thinking it's trash. A lot of it it really amazing.

Tina N. Lugo

Not all of the graffiti is great-sure. But alot of it is pretty damn GOOD! It's art whether you want to admit it or not. I'd like to see you pick up a spray can and make biggie smalls look that good. It's a real shame. It's only a matter a time before they infringe on smaller art galleries to make space for the yuppies their living expenses.

robingee

Bummer, that space is so cool.

Unkle_Bob

"It is not just any other building with graffiti on it. It is the epicenter for graffiti artists from all over the world"

Which is precisely the reason it's an ugly POS and needs to be torn down ASAP.

xsquatchx

"If it were to happen, it would be no different than tearing down the MOMA or the Guggenheim."

a less true hyperbole has never been uttered

Edward G Robincat

The art at 5 Ptz is better than the art at PS1.

Hooshe

I'm sorry to hear it. I've always loved the view from the 7 train as it swings around that building.

pandarelated

how cool that would be to have an apt. your paying to much for.. in LIC.. overlooking that big hole in the ground, and the queensburro bridge / above ground subway station. oh and the chase building. so cool.

凯文

its not graff. its legal but most of it looks like it was made by non locals. it would b more interesting if it was painted without permits by locals when no one was looking. it is cool to look at but not as important as it may seem and not sure what the building is saying