Testimony by John Jurayj in support of Designation of the Sohmer & Company Piano Factory Building at 31-01 Vernon Boulevard, Borough of Queens.

As one of the most prominent 19th century structures along the Queens shore line, I am excited to stand before you this afternoon and support the designation of the Sohmer & Company Piano Factory Building.

Built around 1886 by the noted firm of Berger & Baylies, the Sohmer Building is an excellent example of the American round-arched style, which was influenced by the German Romanesque Revival style. It is also a rare extant structure from New York City’s booming 19th century piano industry. For these reasons, as well as the fact that the LPC has held hearings on this structure in 1983, 1984, and 1990 and the fact that Queens deserves to have its history recognized that I ask you to designate this structure.

It is hard for me to understand why the owner objects, not just because I believe in civic duty over short-sighted greed, but, funny enough, a 19th century factory building is exactly the type of structure where civic duty and luxury profits can and are so beautifully married. Our city abounds in examples from Tribeca and Soho as regulated by the LPC, to the ongoing residential conversion of Dumbo where the power of place and architecture has sent real estate prices through the roof. In this day and age everyone knows that as the Queens waterfront develops, it is the history, architectural distinction and hopefully landmark status of the Sohmer & Company Piano Factory Building that will make it valuable real estate asset. I am sure the owner of the landmarked Starrett-Lehigh building is currently laughing all the way to the bank. I ask the owners of the Sohmer Building to wake up and note their beautiful bird in hand.

March 15, 2005 Testimony
Judith A. Berdy, President, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

To the Landmarks Preservation Commission:

I am here to speak in favor of the designation of the former Sohmer Piano Factory on Vernon Blvd. in Astoria, Queens.

For 27 years I have admired this structure and have constantly been impressed by the excellent condition it has been kept in.

The Long Island City and Astoria neighborhoods are now being eaten up by developments. Most are multi-story brick structures that lack any architectural significance and use all of the site that they can. Directly across the street from the Sohmer factory a six story apartment house is being built.

The landmarking of the Sohmer site is urgently needed to preserve the industrial heritage of the neighborhood.

The building is a magnificent link between the past and present of the area. It is adjacent to Socrates Sculpture Park and Isamu Noguchi Museum. The factory is clearly visible from Roosevelt Island's Octagon building and Lighthouse Park

Thank you for the consideration of this site. I hope to attend more hearings in the near future to preserve Queens history.

Dear Landmarks Commission,

I am writing in support of landmarking the Sohmer Piano Bldg. in LIC. I have admired it since I moved to Astoria several years ago, and it remains one of my favorite bldgs. in NY. It is a shining star on the otherwise bleak skyline of Queens. How lucky are those who live on Roosevelt Island or far enough on the upper east side to gaze at it from across the river. But I consider myself even luckier as I walk by it often on my way to the Socrates Sculpture park. It is a compliment to the arts community that is springing up in the area and indeed a work of art in itself.

Sincerely, Georgina Young-Ellis

The LPC now has a chance to correct a great oversight of 1982, when the Commission failed to designate this worthy building for protection. Because of comparable neglect in other parts of Northwest Astoria, many of Queens’ most historic buildings have been destroyed since then, lost forever. We are lucky that this one survives so considerably intact.

This is a handsome structure with a massive and extraordinary clock tower, and from reading Kroessler and Rappaport’s Historic Preservation in Queens we know its historic importance as a late 19th century factory. We further appreciate its cultural value: As a rival to the Steinway factory a few blocks away, the Sohmer building reminds us of the rich musical heritage of Western Queens.

Even apart from such importance, it commands rare prominence along the bank of the East River, fully exposed to view on both its west and south sides-a visual landmark already, sited so impressively in the block north of the Socrates Sculpture Park, two blocks from the Isamu Noguchi Museum. It lends an impressive backdrop for the increasing number of visitors to the area who come to see art, and it stands as a comparable amenity when viewed from Roosevelt Island and Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It’s hardly surprising to hear tales of this building’s having once served like a lighthouse to guide airplanes arriving at LaGuardia.

We remember very well our own discovery of the building, on our first visit to the Sculpture Park. We had brought along a camera with the idea of photographing works of art within the Park. In addition to our photos of sculpture, we came away with a fine shot of a work just outside the Park-this building, rising above the waters of Hallets Cove.

To experience of the Sohmer Piano Factory in this location brings to mind an added significance that’s well worth preserving: its demonstration that architecture, too, can be a sculptural art.

Sincerely yours, Liz & Herbert Reynolds